I was always interested in spirituality, but I can say my spiritual journey began in earnest when I started reading the Bhagavad Gita during my first pregnancy. I also studied the Vedas, Upanishads, and Swami Vivekananda’s works in quest of spiritual knowledge.

I can say that I had a blessed life, and I had not experienced any major problems. But the birth of my daughter Shruti, who was a special child, changed my life forever. She had a shunt in the brain and underwent four brain surgeries by the time she was just four months old. I had to take Shruti to various doctors in therapy centers. I realized that having a special kid is a huge trauma for any parent, but the situation is especially challenging when one is not financially strong. Special children have special needs and they require certain things to just survive, but these things are very expensive, and way beyond the reach of most people. The poor have to struggle through every single day of therapy. Moreover, the therapy does not lead to immediate results, and it takes years for special kids to acquire even basic skills.

While I was much better off, some instances got me thinking. Once I came across a couple during therapy who used to have only buttermilk for lunch every alternate day because they didn’t have money. I was shaken, and I told myself that I need to do something to help such people. Initially, I started supporting needy people I came across during visits to therapy centres with Shruti. I had helped 10 people, but I realized that there are many more people out there who need help. This is how the idea of establishing an NGO to support such people came, which took shape in the form of Madhuram Charitable Trust. I did not know how to begin, but the law degree came in handy. Our intention was noble and we received support from everyone.

In just over two years, the Trust has achieved much more than I had imagined. We have supported more than 1,000 special kids in one way or the other. Later, when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, we launched Project Stepathon with an aim to distribute prosthetic legs to physically challenged persons. We have distributed high-tech prosthetic legs imported from Germany to 85 beneficiaries so far, and we aim to cross 100 very soon.

Going ahead, I plan to ensure the beneficiaries of prosthetic legs are literally standing on their own by providing them with employment opportunities and helping them become financially independent. I am in talks with companies that can absorb some of the beneficiaries.  Another target going ahead is to open an aqua therapy centre for special kids. These kids are looked down on in general facilities due to a lack of awareness about their condition. I am already talking to the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, which is very supportive of such a center. I am confident there will be good news to share shortly.

(The author is Founder and Trustee of Madhuram Charitable Trust, an NGO working for the specially abled)

The post Journey of Shraddha Soparkar who Runs a NGO called Madhuram Charitable Trust appeared first on The Pink Journey.

Dr Geetanjali: I am an academician, researcher, columnist, and philanthropist with over a decade of experience in research and academics. While I had the opportunity to work with a multitude of prestigious institutes like the Centre for Policy Research, I decided to give up on a well-established career and start afresh by establishing my NGO, Wishes and Blessings in 2014. I did so in order to fulfil a childhood dream of that of serving the underprivileged.

Interviewer: Why you started the foundation?

Dr Geetanjali: Although, my story of charity and social work officially started when I established my NGO, the roots of selfless care were imbibed in me and my family throughout my childhood. I would often visit a school for the visually impaired with my grandfather to celebrate my birthdays and other special occasions with them. On one such occasion, a little girl tugged her arm and asked, “When is my birthday?”. These soft, subtle, yet intriguing words seeped down into my soul and made a permanent impression on my curious mind. That abrupt question soon turned into the mission of my life and I decided to serve the underprivileged and people in need.

Interviewer: What are the challenges that you faced?

Dr Geetanjali: Naturally, leaving a well-established career in academics and research that sprang over a decade and transitioning into a whole new dimension was not a very smooth process, for me. I had to face raised eyebrows from loved ones as they were worried that I was about to embark on a journey I had 0% experience in. I learnt everything on my own, with time and my patience being the primary mentors. Facing all my fears and owning up to my decision, I went forward and never looked back.

Interviewer: What is the future prospect?

Dr Geetanjali: As of 2022, I am executing various centres of my NGOs across the country I single-handedly took my Delhi-based organization Wishes and Blessings to 8 states across India. Currently, I oversee the entire functioning of Wishes and Blessings and strives to make a meaningful difference in the lives of all beneficiaries, donors as well as other individuals associated with the organization. I hope that I would continue to do what I am doing but at a much larger scale – spreading happiness, and working towards the vision and the mission of eradicating the word “underprivileged” from society.

Interviewer: What do you think in future for this NGO? Also mention about running projects.

Dr Geetanjali: I aspire to take my NGO, Wishes and Blessings to much bigger levels in order to provide essential aid to the people in need across the country. I came across a myriad of challenges in the past, but my determination and laser-sharp focus has led to an exponential growth of my organization in 8 states across India. My organization cuts across the spectrum of gender and age to help those who need it. In the same vein, we work for 6 causes among which are education, nutrition, care for elders, relief, customizable charity and the overall cause of happiness.

The post In Conversation with Dr Geetanjali Chopra FOUNDER & PRESIDENT, WISHES AND BLESSINGS appeared first on The Pink Journey.