On 20th September 2025, Sagar Island celebrated a historic milestone with the inauguration of Sagar Euro Bakery – a pioneering initiative that embodies both progress and women’s empowerment. For the very first time, modern bakery products will be produced entirely by women, marking a new chapter in the island’s journey toward self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.
The inauguration ceremony was held in the esteemed presence of our respected Director, Mr. Ansuman Das, along with distinguished guests: Mr. Allard Jacobs, Bakery Expert from PUM Netherlands; Dr. Amal Mukhopadhyay from the Hanseatic India Forum; Mr. Srimanta Kumar Mali – Sahakari Sabhadhipati, South 24 Parganas Zilla Parishad & Chairman, GBDA; Mr. Bapi Haldar, Member of Parliament, Mathurapur Lok Sabha Constituency; Mr. Bankim Chandra Hazra, Minister-in-Charge, Sundarbans Affairs Department, West Bengal; Mr. Kanaiya Kumar Roy, BDO, Sagar Block; Ms. Sabina Bibi, Chairperson, Sagar Panchayat Committee; Dr. Dilip Kumar Pal, Ex-Special Secretary, PNRD, WB & Ex-Senior Consultant, NIRD & NIRDPR, Govt. of India, Hyderabad; Mr. Supriyo Sarkar, Ex-Joint Director, Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare; Mr. Pradip Baleswar, Executive Member, Sagar Panchayat Samiti; and Mr. Jaydev Das, Siksharatna Awardee, West Bengal, Principal, Social Worker, along with other dignitaries. Their gracious presence underscored the significance of this initiative as a trans-formative step for women and the wider community of Sagar Island.
The initiative brings together women from local Self-Help Groups (SHGs) who aspired to move beyond household responsibilities and contribute to their families’ income. With determination and vision, they travelled to Nandakumarpur village in South 24 Parganas, where they underwent a week-long, hands-on training at the German Bakery unit. Working closely with experienced women bakers, the participants mastered baking techniques and acquired essential entrepreneurial and management skills required to run their own bakery at Sagar.
By mid-September 2025, production at Sagar Euro Bakery officially commenced. The training process was further enriched with international expertise, as Mr. Allard Jacobs visited Sagar Island to simplify baking processes and demonstrate practical, easy-to-adopt methods. His guidance boosted the confidence of the women entrepreneurs, enabling them to manage production independently.
This initiative is much more than the opening of a bakery. It represents a symbol of transformation and empowerment. Women who had never stepped beyond the boundaries of their homes are now leading an enterprise, producing high-quality food products, and generating new income opportunities for their families. Their bold step is inspiring the entire community, showcasing the power of collective courage, skill development, and opportunity.
For Sabuj Sangha, the launch of Sagar Euro Bakery is not just another project – it is a living example of dreams turned into reality, proving how empowerment, training, and solidarity can transform lives. This milestone will continue to inspire many more success stories in the history of Sagar Island.