“Growing up in a middle-class household, it’s a known fact that even the smallest of fluctuations can trigger major financial slips. And with my father struggling at his trial in business, my family went through its fair share of turbulent times in his late twenties before being able to stand upright.

And the funny thing about money is that its lack is felt vividly even by children. Now in my case specifically, going to a well-established school felt completely out of place since all my peers were from affluent families. Additionally, some classmates were the children of popular actors, and it further fed my insecurity, especially after realizing how different their lifestyles are from mine. I was hardly able to make any friends and was mostly the quiet one in a corner until my family was finally able to find its footing.

It happened only when my father gave up his entrepreneurial ideas and rose up the ranks after completing law at 35. This, alongside my mother’s employment, ensured that there was a higher influx of cash in the household. But here’s where unlike the usual, ‘receiving and spending’ routine, we decided to make a difference.

My parent’s started dedicating a stipulated portion of their income, every month to helping others in a similar state. Now, with an NGO already established by the family, I was able to witness the significant impact of our actions, right from the start. From women divorced, after being pushed into a marriage to children who were orphaned, we were able to freely cater to the educational aspirations of people who wanted it the most.

And that was just the start! I personally took a liking to it and slowly started dedicating my time to these activities as well. During difficult phases like our present COVID-19 waves, I mostly spent my hours outside, coordinating RT PCR tests, hospital beds, and medicines for various groups that required assistance. It was exhausting of course, but the satisfaction I got upon witnessing several people regain their strength and reasons to smile made it all worth it!

Going forward, my immediate goal is to expand our reach and cater to at least 100 children throughout the educational years! It might seem a long way for a student like me, but with the intentions at the right place, I’m sure I’ll reach the target soon!”