With late film maker Shri Bimal Roy's production activities and with music director Late Shri Salil Chowdhury's music room, at the Mohan Studio at Andheri Kuria Road, the studio had become a meeting place for many culture- conscious Bengali youth. At that time there were not many Bengali families there and they were scattered here and there in the vast suburbs of Andheri, both east and west. These enthusiastic youngmen together decided to establish a social contact within the community and so they organized a Bengali New year celebration, in a hall on the top floor of M.A.High School, S.V.Road, on the day of Poila Boisakh, 1962 a.d.

They got all the support and encouragement from people. Mrs. Manobina Roy took active interest and the function was presided by Shri Nabendu Ghosh and the Chief guest of the evening was film-maker Shri Phani Majumdar. The function was a grand success. This followed by celebrating Rabindra Jayanti (Panchishe Boisakh) on the terrace of Dr. J.S. Nandi's bungalow at the junction of Andheri Kuria Road and Suren Road. The evening was presided over by Smt. Manobina Roy. Many talented singers rendered Rabindra Sangeet and a few persons did recite poems by Kabiguru. The young organizers were more than happy. They decided to give form and forum for their activities. Main among them were Shri Sukhendu Ghosh, Shri Dulal Sen, Shri Amal Sengupta, Shri Tarun Halder and Shri Mintu Bose (who was elected the first General Secretary of Pragati).

A meeting of prominent Bengali residents, in and around Andheri was held at the premises of Dr. J.S. Nandi, which was presided by Shri D. Banerjee, eldest son of well known Bengali author Shri Saradindu Bandyopadhyay. The meeting was well attended and all those present agreed to form the organization. And thus Pragati -A Social & Cultural Organisation was born. Graphic artist Shri Himadri Dasgupta designed a beautiful logo for Pragati. depicting three growing saplings, signifying literature, music and fine arts, the three foundations of Bengali culture. Shri Bimal Roy showed a keen interest in the activity of the group and with his patronage Sree Sree Saraswati Puja was celebrated on the shooting floor of Mohan Studio in the year 1963. Music director Kanu Ghosh took charge of the cultural programme for the evening.

A large number of people joined in the celebration. Encouraged by the success and patronage of all Bengali families as well as some non-bengali residents of the vast suburb, Pragati decided to celebrate Sree Sree Durga Puja. A very dedicated team of youngmen started the preparations. And finally with Bimalda's help, the outer compound of K.Asif Studio, i.e. part of Mohan Studio was chosen to be the venue of Pragati's 1st Durga Puja in 1963. The event was a huge success. Essabhai Suratwala (the sound recordist of the studio) also put in his effort in collecting donations for the event, which he continued to do even after the closure of Mohan studios and his joining Sunil Dutt's "Ajanta Arts". Shri Kanu Ghosh had taken charge of the cultural programmes in the evenings and many stalwart singers performed on the stage. Huge crowds were difficult to control. But everything went well. I.P.T.A. performed their play 'Africa Jawan Pareshan', one evening, the cast included Cine Star Late Sanjeev Kumar and Shri A. K. Hangal. And thus started the lorious journey of Pragati.