ON this Indian Army Day, we proudly salute the indomitable spirit of our brave soldiers who have dedicated their lives to safeguarding the nation with unwavering courage, discipline, and selflessness.
Among these inspiring exemplars of service stands Colonel Mickie Uberoi (Retd), a distinguished war veteran and retired Indian Army officer whose journey from the battlefields to humanitarian service embodies the true ethos of “Service Before Self.”
From his days as a young cadet at the prestigious National Defence Academy, Col Uberoi nurtured a profound dream—to create a loving home for orphaned, abandoned, and vulnerable children. He carried this vision through decades of meritorious service in the Indian Army, defending the country with the same passion and resolve that now fuels his mission to uplift the marginalized.
Col Uberoi founded the Sant Ishwar Foundation in 2018, along with fellow dedicated Army veterans. Under his visionary leadership, the foundation established GHAR—a true “home” that provides a safe sanctuary for orphaned and vulnerable girls, care for women with disabilities, and dignity for the elderly. All generations live together under one roof, fostering love, belonging, and family-like bonds.
What makes this story truly remarkable is Col Uberoi’s extraordinary sacrifice—he even sold jewellery meant for his daughter’s wedding and invested his life savings to turn his lifelong dream into reality. Today, GHAR offers these children not just shelter, but holistic care: nutrition, medical support, quality education in English-medium schools, sports, arts, music, yoga, and excursions—empowering them to dream big and become future leaders, doctors, IAS officers, or even Army officers themselves.
On this special Indian Army Day, Col Mickie Uberoi’s life reminds us that the values instilled in our armed forces—courage, compassion, and commitment—extend far beyond the borders. His transition from protecting the nation in uniform to transforming lives through selfless seva is a shining beacon of inspiration.
Let us celebrate the legacy of our soldiers and veterans like Col Uberoi, who continue to serve humanity long after hanging up their boots.
Colonel Mickie Uberoi’s vision: more than an orphanage
“Ghar is a unique institution”, shares the founder of this NGO for girls. “I never conceived it to be an orphanage but a home,” shares Colonel Mickie Uberoi as he reflects on the reason that he started Ghar which is an initiative of Sant Ishwar Foundation. As a celebrated army veteran, Colonel Mickie Uberoi envisions a place where children, despite their unfortunate circumstances, can find not only shelter but also the warmth and support of a family. Ghar is more than just an NGO for girls who are in need of care. It is a haven where parentless and abandoned girls experience refuge and love and can build a foundation for a future filled with promise.
Colonel Mickie Uberoi is driven by the belief that every child deserves the best possible future. Under his leadership, Sant Ishwar Foundation is an NGO for girls that believes in giving every child a chance to both enjoy their childhoods and reach their highest potential. Under his leadership, Sant Ishwar Foundation is working toward saving as many orphaned and abandoned girl children as possible from the harsh realities of life on the streets. The charitable contributions of compassionate donors have the power to transform countless lives and turn despair into hope and abandonment into the prospect of a limitless future. To support Colonel Mickie Uberoi and his NGO for girls, you can donate here.
Ghar: a stepping stone to a brighter future
Ghar means ‘home’ in Hindi and is the realization of Colonel Mickie Uberoi’s dream. His NGO for girls embodies his vision of creating a nurturing environment for orphaned and abandoned girl children and helping them have a much better future. The NGO for girls does not merely provide a roof over their heads; it fosters their individual dreams and ambitions. In Colonel Mickie Uberoi’s own words, “We feel that our children should go on to become agents of change in society. They should make an impact and a difference in the lives of others.” This belief in the transformative power of education and nurturing is what drives Ghar’s mission forward.
Step into Ghar, and one witnesses dreams taking flight. Colonel Mickie Uberoi proudly shares the aspirations of the girls under Ghar’s care which range from aspiring army officers to IAS officers, collectors, flight attendants and pilots. This is a testament to the environment of aspiration cultivated within the walls of this NGO for girls, where the children are encouraged to dream big and believe in their potential.
From despair to dreams
Colonel Mickie Uberoi’s journey to establish an NGO for girls was not without its challenges and doubts. Recalling his early days as a cadet in the National Defence Academy, he mentions, “Even when I was a 16 or 17 year old cadet in the National Defence Academy, I would say one day I will start an orphanage.” The harsh realities that children face, such as being abandoned and found on the roadside, served as the catalyst for Colonel Mickie Uberoi’s mission.
To run this NGO for girls, the financial aspect was a significant concern for Colonel Mickie Uberoi. “I am a retired pensioner. Where the money would come from was always a big concern,” he admits. However, Colonel Mickie Uberoi was driven by a sense of duty and a burning desire to make a difference so he stepped forward with his dream. Ghar emerged as a hope-filled NGO for girls who were facing great adversities and he stood steadfast in its mission to provide love, care and opportunities to every child who walks through its doors.
Join the mission to empower dreams, one child at a time
This compassionate NGO for girls in need pleads with compassionate individuals to join their mission. When these children were abandoned, they were left to fend for themselves and vulnerable to the dangers of life on the streets. Their thoughts were consumed only with their day-to-day living and keeping themselves safe. But Colonel Mickie Uberoi shares that “now when people ask our girls about their future, they will all say they want to become army officers or IAS officers.” The dreams of these girls are not just aspirations; they are the seeds of transformation waiting to be nurtured.
Sant Ishwar Foundation’s fundraiser on Give.do provides an opportunity for individuals to contribute to Colonel Mickie Uberoi’s dream. Every donation counts in helping parentless or abandoned girl children have a loving home, education and a bright future. Together, compassionate donors can rewrite the narrative of abandonment and despair into one of hope, love and limitless possibility.
Support Sant Ishwar Foundation on Give.do
In a world where the plight of orphaned and abandoned children often goes unnoticed, Ghar of Sant Ishwar Foundation stands as a shining lighthouse. Retired Colonel Mickie Uberoi’s vision goes beyond charity. It is about instilling a sense of purpose and empowerment in every child’s heart. By supporting this noble cause, donors have the opportunity to be the change they wish to see in the world. “Join hands with us, and be the change you wish to see in the world,” shares Retired Colonel Mickie Uberoi. To support Colonel Mickie Uberoi and his NGO for girls, you can donate here.
Give exists to alleviate poverty by enabling the world to give. Established in 2000, Give, together with its partners, is the largest and most trusted giving platform in India. Give enables individuals and organizations to raise and donate funds conveniently to any cause they care about, with offerings including crowdfunding, corporate giving, cause marketing, and philanthropy consulting. Give’s community of 2.6M+ donors supports 3,000+ verified nonprofits, serving 15M+ people across the country.
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