Category: Founding Story

  • How it began at Delhi Council for Child Welfare

    Delhi Council for Child Welfare was established in the year 1952 by a group of 10 women. The Council first started its work among children who had been displaced, lost, or abandoned in the riots surrounding the partition of India in 1948 by providing them with mid-day meals and recreational activities. Over the years, they…

  • How it began at Spurthi Mahila Mandal

    It all started in the year 1981 when Ms. Shyamala Vardarajan, the founder of Spurthi Mahila Mandal (SMM) relocated to Bijapur from Chennai after marriage. With a Masters in Botany, she joined The Aided College in Bijapur as a professor. Shyamala was an active volunteer back in Chennai, always ready to get involved with social…

  • How it began at Society for Child Development

    Madhumita Puri, who is the founder of the Delhi-based Society for Child Development (SFCD), was a leading psychologist in the late 80s. She was amongst the top psychologists from AIIMS’ Genetics department. As part of her research, she was also working for disabled and mentally challenged (also known as Intellectually Disabled) kids. During her research,…

  • How it began at Sabuj Sangha

    Siba Sankar, the founder of Subuj Sangha, was born and brought up in the Sunderbans. Living in a joint family, sharing and giving to people around him comes naturally to him. After his graduation in Zoology from City College in Calcutta, he moved back to his village and started to teach in the nearby school.…

  • How it began at Operation Shanti

    “I came to India in 2003 from USA to learn Yoga,” says Tracy, who is the founder of Operation Shanti. After earning degrees from both Harvard and the University of Chicago, and after a brief stint as a computer programmer, Tracy had spent eight years as an investment banker on Wall Street in New York…

  • How it began at Vidya Poshak

    The seeds of founding Vidya Poshak were sown in the mind of Prof. Tikote as early as in 1999. What began as a request to help a financially weak student soon translated to a larger need for assistance to deserving poor students who are forced out of the mainstream of education due to financial constraints.…

  • How it began at Mahila Dakshata Samiti

    Mahila Dakshata Society (MDS) was originally established in the state of Andhra Pradesh by Mrs. Suman Krishnakanth. Suman’s spouse, Mr. Krishnakanth was originally a Parliamentarian and later the Governor of Andhra Pradesh. Life as the partner of a public servant gave her valuable insights into the trials and tribulations faced by Indian woman. Deeply concerned…

  • How it began at Sukarya

    We live in an age when charity has become a business and NGOs have been publicly questioned on their integrity. Yet, Sukarya stands alone in its direct and human approach to social service. This is further underlined by its committed approach and its belief in focusing on what’s essential to give back to society. Such…

  • How it began at Vishwas, Vision For Health Welfare and Special Needs

    Armed with a post graduate degree in biophysics, Neelam Jolly moved to Delhi from Chandigarh in the late eighties. After switching to Delhi, she decided to switch tracks and underwent a course as a Therapist with AADI – an NGO devoted to educational and social integration of disabled children with the mainstream.  This was an…

  • How it began at Abhinav

    Despite emotional, social and bureaucratic roadblocks, founder of the NGO Abhinav, Mr. Harendra Singh’s mission to help the community never faded. Here is his story. Harendra Singh always had a passion for reading and writing, which lead to his main profession – journalism. He was curious about current affairs and the issues faced by the…

  • How it began at Khushboo Welfare Society

    Sonali Savkoor’s story is one of conviction, perseverance and commitment. Born in a small town in Karnataka and raised in Madhya Pradesh, Sonali grew up with a rather broad-minded view of life. Her marriage, after completing her education in Home Science, gave her further opportunities to travel to various parts of the country and widen…

  • A stalwart in the lives of lost, battered, and lonely elderly’s journey

    “Old people are pressure cookers, ready to burst any moment if pressure is not handled at the right time.” – Himanshu Rath, Founder, Agewell Foundation. Himanshu has a new definition for retirement. “I’m done with earning money for livelihood now. I have saved enough and sometimes I do freelancing. I want to focus on something…

  • How it began at Asha Kiran

    The mission of my trip was to see firsthand the wonderful work that Mr. Prakash of Asha Kiran was doing for the underprivileged. I was so eager to reach my destination that I was standing by the door of the moving train. It was around eight in the morning. The fresh breeze invigorated me. In…

  • How it began at JK MAASS

    On obtaining a degree in Physiotherapy, Mr. Sudhakaran, the founder of JK MAASS started working at a multi-specialty hospital. Most of his patients were mentally and physically disabled children. He served them relentlessly for ten years. It was during his tenure at the hospital that he understood fully the disparity between the rich and the…

  • How it began at ETASHA

    ETASHA, which is an acronym for “Enabling and Training Adolescents for a Successful and Healthy Adulthood,” has been set up by Ms. Meenakshi Nayar. Ms. Nayar began her career in the 1980s, after completing her Masters in Psychology followed by a PhD in Organizational Behavior from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. After 25 years…

  • How it began at Centre For Social Reconstruction(CSR)

    It all started in the year 1974 when Mr. Ram was pursuing his college studies and there was a tussle for the Kanyakumari district between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Unfortunately, the youth of the region were affected the most. When the youth went to Kerala for employment opportunities, the government officials would send them away…

  • How it began at CARD

    Pudukkottai, the Chettinad district of TN was once ruled by the kings. When I entered the city, I was awe struck by the ancient buildings which now house courts, colleges etc. Painted an earthy red, these buildings definitely grab ones attention. What also grabs one’s attention is the great work being done by CARD, which…

  • How it began at Bhavada Devi Memorial Philanthropic Trust (SENEH)

    Mr. Barua, the founder of Bavada Devi Memorial Philanthropic Trust (SENEH), used to be part of the Airforce. Bavada Devi was his mother and ‘SENEH’ translates to mother’s love in Assamese. His work took him to many places and he had seen the whole of India by the early 90s. In 1999, he took voluntary…

  • How it began at Ashadeep

    Mukul Goswami, the founder of Ashadeep was a banker at State Bank of India. He was born and brought up in Shillong, and moved to Guwahati, Assam in 1987. “It was somewhere around 1982 when my second younger sister suffered from Schizophrenia. Initially, we thought it might be a temporary change of behaviour and would pass.…

  • How it began at Abhoy Mission

    Dr. Shyamlal Deb, the founder of Abhoy Mission, was born and brought up in Agartala. Since his childhood, he was actively involved in volunteering activities. During his technical education back in Mumbai, he formed a Blood Donation Association along with a few of his colleagues and was also part of many political movements in the…

  • How it began at Pahal Jan Sahyog Vikas Sansthan

    “Never doubt that a group of ordinary people can bring about change. Infact, that’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead’s famous words are more than apt for the MP-based PJSVS. Born out of the goodwill of 9 friends, who wanted to give back to society, their good acts have become a full-fledged formal…

  • How it began at Turning Point Foundation

    “My social circle comprised of people who always wanted to be high and intoxicated. I learnt about a ‘magical powder’ through them. I recall them saying how this powder makes one feel like god. Their incessant talk made me curious. One day, I accompanied them to a hotel where it was being sold; and became…

  • How it began at Vidya Bhawan Society

    Vidya Bhawan Society was founded by Dr. Mohan Singh Mehta along with his close associates Dr. K.L. Shrimali and Shri K.L. Bordia in 1931. Ahead of its time, it was modeled on the principles of the Boy Scout Movement in England, incorporating the Gandian ideals of Basic Education. The influence from the Boy Scout Movement…

  • How it began at Seva Mandir

    Seva Mandir was founded by Dr. Mohan Singh Mehta. Born on 20th of April 1895, at Bhilwara (Rajasthan), Dr. Mehta belonged to a wealthy family. His son was Jagat Singh Mehta, the Indian politician and diplomat who also served as Foreign Secretary from 1976 to 1979. Dr. Mehta has played an active role in both…

  • How it began at Gram Chetna Kendra

    To understand how and why Gram Chetna Kendra came about, it is important to understand the conditions and issues of the Sambhar Lake area, which is where the organisation’s work is based. Sambhar, which literally means salt, refers to India’s largest saline lake. With a record salt production that goes back 1,500 years, it is…