Calcutta Rescue’s Governing Council is legally responsible for the operations of the organisation and its compliance with applicable laws and regulations. It comprises distinguished members of the community, each with extensive specialist experience:

Dr. Jack Preger, MBE, Honorary Chairperson, a British Medical Doctor, began providing medical care on the street to the poor of Kolkata in 1979. Since then he has worked tirelessly to build Calcutta Rescue into the thriving NGO it is today.

Sister M. Cyril, Secretary, a Professed Sister of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto), is the Principal of the Loreto Day School at Sealdah, Kolkata.  She has initiated outstanding and innovative programmes for educating the poor.  In recognition, she has been awarded the prestigious Padma Shri Award (from the State of India for those who have given exceptional and distinguished service to the country) and is a seven time recipient of the Telegraph Award for Social Service.  She holds a Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Lucknow.

Mr. P.K. Sarkar, Vice Chairperson and Treasurer, joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1959.  Among the positions he held are Secretary to the Governor of West Bengal, The Finance Secretary and the Secretary of Commerce and Industry.  He served as the Chairman of the West Bengal Public Service Commission and the West Bengal Second Police Commission.

Capt. Anil Bhandari, Member, Retired Merchant Marine Officer.  As Captain of vessels throughout the world, he was responsible for all aspects of the ship’s operation but with specialist responsibilities for security of material and personnel.

Dr. (Mrs.) Reba Ray, Member, earned an MA, Ph.D.in Archeology and an LLB from Calcutta University.  She served as a Research Fellow of the University Grants Commission at Delhi University, is the author of Ancient Settlement Patterns of Eastern India and is a High and Supreme Court advocate.

Mrs. Uma Ahmad, Member, has many areas of interest – her primary focus is education but her charitable work covers crafts, women, children, human rights, the underprivileged and those suffering from Cerebral Palsy (she is Chairperson of Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy).  In addition, she is the author of several educational books.

The Reverend James G Stevens, OBE, Member, was born in Gloucester, UK but has lived in India since 1968.  He founded Udayan, a home for children of leprosy sufferers, in 1970; it currently has over 300 in its care.  He has been awarded both the Chevalier de la Legion D’Honneur (France, 1990) and the OBE (UK, 2001).