The Spark (Early 1990s)
During the early 1990s, while leading the Sexual Health and HIV Intervention Programme (SHIP) in the Sonagachi red-light area of Kolkata, public health expert Dr. Smarajit Jana closely observed the severe financial exploitation of sex workers. Excluded systematically from formal banking systems due to a lack of residence and identity proof, these women were trapped in severe debt cycles by predatory local moneylenders.
The Foundation (1995)
Recognizing that physical health and human rights are entirely dependent on financial agency, Dr. Jana partnered with 13 visionary sex worker community leaders. Together, they laid the blueprint for a financial cooperative run entirely by the community. Their efforts culminated on June 21, 1995, with the formal registration of Usha Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited under the West Bengal Co-operative Societies Act.
Evolving & Scaling (2000s–Present)
Over the next three decades, Usha expanded from a small, localized credit cooperative into Asia’s largest self-managed financial institution for sex workers. It has transitioned into a multi-faceted organization providing healthcare, legal advocacy, and rural SHG support across West Bengal and several neighbouring states.
A Legacy of Excellence……
Celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2025, Usha’s cooperative leadership continues to be recognized nationally and internationally, earning top cooperative honors from the Government of West Bengal—including first place in the state’s Female Cooperative awards—and accolades for pioneering grassroots initiatives. Among these, the successfully concluded C19RM KP Grant Project (October 2023 – September 2025) spanned six states (West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh), directly reaching 43,882 community members, facilitating 12,948 critical social entitlements (such as Aadhaar and PAN cards), and educating 12,490 members on legal rights, reproductive health, and the landmark Supreme Court ruling—a feat that earned Usha a national award for outstanding performance in New Delhi. Additionally, our collaborative Dream Building Project with the West Bengal State Cooperative Union, the University of Glasgow, and King’s College London has psychologically empowered and trained over 2,160 Self-Help Group (SHG) members, allowing marginalized women to transition from isolated work to launching joint, scalable business ventures.