People’s Action for Development (PAD) is a grassroots, community-based non-profit organization serving the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu, India. Established on August 19, 1985, PAD was founded in response to the tragic incidents of the Sivakasi fire accident in 1985, which claimed the lives of 54 child labourers. This heartbreaking event galvanized a group of citizens and activists to address the exploitation of children in hazardous work and to champion their right to education.

 

Over the years, PAD’s mission has evolved into a vibrant, community-driven movement dedicated to social justice, gender equality, and sustainable development.

Today, PAD leads initiatives across several key areas: child protection, adolescent empowerment, gender justice, digital and financial literacy, environmental conservation, and disaster risk reduction. The organization primarily partners with vulnerable and marginalized communities in the disaster-prone coastal districts of Ramanathapuram and Thoothukudi—areas increasingly affected by cyclones, sea-level rise, and environmental degradation. These threats particularly impact women, children, and low-income families, making PAD’s integrated and community-focused approach more important than ever.