Who is Friends of Tribals Society?

A non-government voluntary organisation founded in Kolkata on 15 January 1989, dedicated to the upliftment of rural and tribal India through education.

Our story

From one idea to 55,000 villages

FTS is registered as a Society under the West Bengal Registration of Societies Act, 1961 (registration S/62039, dated 06.06.1989). From its headquarters at Ekal Bhawan, Kolkata, it has grown to 36 chapters in 35 cities.

The organisation runs One Teacher Schools — Ekal Vidyalayas — imparting non-formal primary education to children aged 4–10 in villages no formal school reaches, through five-fold education: functional literacy, healthcare (Arogya), development (Gramothan), empowerment, and values (Sanskar).

In 2019 this work was recognised with the Gandhi Peace Prize 2017, presented at Rashtrapati Bhawan by the President of India in the presence of the Prime Minister.

An FTS program in a tribal village

Know us better

People, recognition, accountability

Governing board

The people who steer FTS nationally.

Awards

Gandhi Peace Prize 2017 and other recognitions.

Accreditations

80G, FCRA, CSR-1 and independent validations.

37 years in — and just getting started.

Be part of it