Chaitali Das, 50, from West Bengal, is known for her work in the jute industry. She founded the Rakshak Foundation, which supports inmates and underprivileged women, focusing on social and environmental impact through jute.

Chaitali grew up in Alipore, West Bengal, near correctional facilities. Her father, a lawyer, often took her to his workplace. This sparked her curiosity about the lives of those imprisoned and shaped her compassionate outlook.

“I was too young, but I had made up my mind that I want to do something for them,” she recalls. Seeing the accused and their families in court deeply moved her, sparking a desire to help those in need.

She pursued a career in social work and eventually founded the Rakshak Foundation in 2015 to help prisoners and underprivileged women through skill-building and rehabilitation programmes.

Her foundation began by teaching spoken English to inmates. Over time, it expanded to include activities such as yoga, painting, woodwork, and even cookie-making with women and inmates. “The array of projects reflects the diverse initiatives I’ve been involved in,” she shares.

One of her most impactful projects is ‘Jute Story - Beyond Bars’, which trains prison inmates to make jute products. “Jute is a more eco-friendly, sturdy, and widely available alternative,” Chaitali says.

She also partnered with the National Jute Board of India (NJB) to train prisoners in crafting jute products. “The training programme spans 45 days,” she explains. The programme was launched at Dandam Central Correctional Home and extended to other facilities.

So far, 3,000 inmates (as of January 2024) have been trained under the ‘Jute Story - Beyond Bars’ project, with many now creating jute products for global markets. “This project has evolved into ‘Root to Jute’,” she adds, noting that the startup has been incubated by the Indian Institute of Management.

Through ‘Root to Jute’, Chaitali’s jute products have reached international markets, including Canada, Central Asia, and North America. The range includes handicrafts, rugs, and handbags, all contributing to eco-friendly solutions.

Chaitali's foundation made history in January 2021 by creating the largest jute bag in the world. The bag measures over 30.68 m (100 ft 8 in) wide and 24.87 m (81 ft 7 in) high.

While jute isn't very popular among the younger generation, Chaitali is working to change that. “We offer a diverse range of products specifically designed for young individuals,” she says. Fashion presentations featuring students carrying jute bags help raise awareness and interest.

Chaitali believes that engaging inmates in creating eco-friendly products shifts public perception. “People begin to appreciate the positive contributions,” she explains, showing that those once labelled as wrongdoers can make meaningful changes.