NAVEENKUMAR was at a bus stand when he saw a homeless old man who was disheveled, emaciated and looked as though he had been on the streets for months. He approached the homeless person and began speaking to him. Naveenkumar compassionately heard his story about how he had been abandoned on the streets by his family and left to...

FEW people have experienced the heartbreak of having their newborn infant in a critical condition in the ICU; even fewer know the hopelessness of not being able to afford the medical care that will help their children get better. Neonates Foundation of India is an NGO for babies who are in the neonatal intensive care unit and need specialized...

MARGINALIZED tribal communities lack access to basic essentials such as education, resources and medical care. In the forested area of Melghat in Maharashtra, there are no hospitals, trained doctors or even a medical NGO for over 100 kilometers. The people who reside in these areas are tribal communities who have long been overlooked. Without proper medical care, their only...

SPORTS has the power to transform individuals and communities. From football legend Pelé giving a voice to the poor and downtrodden in Brazil to countless footballers from disadvantaged backgrounds proving that their sport can uplift entire communities, football has long been a source of hope and inspiration for children and adults alike. Mrida Education and Welfare Society is a...

IMAGINE a space where social sector leaders are given the opportunity to pitch their ideas to an audience full of potential givers, just like on the popular TV show Shark Tank! Now, imagine that instead of pitching for profits, these entrepreneurs are pitching for a social cause – a cause to make a difference in the lives of those...

MENSTRUATION is a natural process of the human reproductive system. It is an essential process required to procreate and continue the survival of the human species. But for reasons that people have not been able to overcome for millenia, it is often considered taboo and off-limits to acknowledge, let alone discuss. Because menstruation is considered a taboo topic, the...

THERE are entire communities of people without access to medicine, doctors and medical treatment. This lack of access causes immense suffering and even death as a result of conditions and diseases that are preventable and can be treated. Most of these communities are marginalized people-groups such as tribal populations or rural communities that are often overlooked in the healthcare...

AUTISM spectrum disorders are a group of neurological disorders, i.e. disorders of the brain. These developmental disorders can impact a person’s speech and communication skills, interaction and social skills, or response and behavior patterns. Autism is officially called autism spectrum disorder or ASD and impacts one in every 100 children, according to WHO estimates. Autism can be diagnosed in...

IN India's philanthropic landscape, great change happens when compassionate individuals and trailblazing NGOs come together. At the heart of this relationship is the desire to make the world a better place. In addition to this noble endeavour is also the ability of citizens to contribute to social causes while enjoying substantial tax benefits in the form of an 80G...

TREES are crucial to sustain life on Earth. In addition to releasing oxygen, which all life forms require to breathe and remain alive, trees reduce pollution, mitigate global warming, control water flow and are home to almost all land animals. But ongoing deforestation and expanding urban settlements are leaving a dark footprint on the face of the Earth leading...