Growing Up and Finding Support
My journey has always been shaped by the people who
stood by me. Growing up, I was fortunate to receive support in various
ways—financially, emotionally, and through mentorship. Their kindness and
guidance made a profound difference in my life, shaping the opportunities I had
and the impact I could create.
I attended a Convent School in Noida, known for its
strict rules and regulations. One incident from my childhood remains
particularly vivid: I was punished for not wearing a blazer and made to stand
outside the line for an entire period. That moment was eye-opening—I realized
that when parents can't afford something as simple as a blazer, it's the child
who pays the price in respect and dignity. This early experience taught me that
a child's standing in society is often unfairly defined by their family's
financial status.
There were times when I struggled, but I was never
truly alone. That was my first big realization: when you receive help, it
becomes your responsibility to pay it forward. That's how society thrives—by
supporting and uplifting each other to create a better world. For me, helping
others is not about personal satisfaction; it's about ensuring that someone
else, who faces challenges like I once did, gets the same chance to move
forward in life.
Education and Realizing What Matters
I pursued my higher education at GNIT, where I
gained a strong foundation in technology and problem-solving. My college years
were not just about academics but also about exploring my passion for making a
difference. I actively participated in social initiatives, organizing events,
mentoring juniors, and engaging in projects that focused on community
development.
I also spent time at GNIT, where I studied
engineering. During my first year there, I joined an NGO at the college and
participated in what seemed like an impactful initiative—a tree plantation
drive where we planted 200 trees in Greater Noida in just one day. We were
incredibly excited about our achievement, but our enthusiasm was short-lived.
Due to exams and vacations, no one maintained the saplings. When we returned
two months later, all the plants had died, and the area had been converted into
a parking lot.
During this time, I realized that many of the
initiatives I had participated in were short-lived. They lacked sustainability.
That was a turning point for me. With limited time and resources, I had to be
selective about where I invested my efforts. I wanted to create something that
had a lasting impact. That's when I made a conscious decision to work in the
field of education.
Unlike other forms of social work that provide
temporary relief, education is a long-term solution. It transforms lives
permanently. Since then, I have dedicated all my efforts, resources, and time
to ensuring that education reaches those who need it the most.
Corporate Experience and Leadership
While my passion for social impact remained strong,
my corporate journey also played a crucial role in shaping my leadership skills
and strategic vision. With over 10 years of diverse marketing experience
spanning both B2B and B2C industries, I have developed expertise in brand
management, content marketing, performance marketing, partnerships and
alliances, and growth strategy.
I have always thrived in dynamic environments,
particularly within startups, where innovation and adaptability are key.
Leading high-performing teams and fostering a positive workplace culture has
been at the core of my professional journey. Through my corporate career, I
learned how to navigate complex challenges, scale initiatives, and create
sustainable models—all of which I later applied to Pehchaan to ensure its
long-term success. Balancing a full-time corporate job while building an NGO was
never easy. There were times when I would finish my office work late at night
and then immediately switch to Pehchaan's initiatives.
My typical week involves five days dedicated to my
professional work and two days fully committed to Pehchaan, plus additional
hours after work. However, this doesn't feel like an extra burden because it's
driven by passion—it's something I genuinely love doing.
However, my work in the corporate sector provided
me with the strategic acumen and financial stability needed to scale our
impact. I leveraged my marketing skills to build awareness for Pehchaan, form
strategic partnerships, and create crowdfunding campaigns that sustained our
efforts. Over the years, I've worked with numerous e-commerce companies,
logistics firms, and startups, always focusing on marketing. These experiences
gave me the ability to build structured processes, drive operational
efficiency, and ensure Pehchaan could sustain itself without external funding.
The skills I honed in the corporate world, including people management,
resource allocation, and branding, played a vital role in Pehchaan's expansion.
The Birth of Pehchaan
In 2009, I was deeply impacted by a student
agitation movement. It was then that I realized the importance of taking action
rather than just being a spectator. However, it wasn't until 2015 that I, along
with a few like-minded individuals, started teaching students on weekends at
Valmiki Mandir. Within a month, we had 20 students, and we knew we were onto
something meaningful.
A pivotal moment that truly moved me was witnessing
children swimming in a drainage ditch—for them, that drain was a swimming pool,
and they were enjoying it. This stark reality illustrated the lack of education
and awareness in these communities, and from there, our journey began in
earnest.
The real breakthrough for Pehchaan came in 2018
when we started expanding our efforts. Just as things were gaining momentum,
COVID-19 disrupted everything in 2019. But by mid-2021, we restarted with
renewed energy. Today, Pehchaan runs multiple vocational centers in Noida,
offering free computer education to over 1,600 students. Our NGO has grown to
over 600 dedicated volunteers, and we take a structured approach to education.
We don't just teach—we sponsor underprivileged students, conduct awareness and
psychological counseling sessions, and provide regular health and eye
check-ups. Mental well-being is a core part of our mission because education is
not just about academics; it's about fostering a healthy mindset for the future.
Struggles, Criticism, and Staying Strong
Running an NGO is not easy. There have been moments
of intense demotivation, criticism, and operational challenges. With nearly
1,000 volunteers, it's impossible to satisfy everyone. I interact with 250-300
new people every week, conducting meetings, training sessions, and discussions.
There are always people who disagree with how
things are run. Some criticize, some gossip, and some remain unhappy despite
our best efforts. The operational challenges on the ground are never-ending.
There were moments when I wanted to shut everything down due to overwhelming
negativity. But then, small moments of encouragement kept me going.
Working with volunteers has been rewarding but
challenging. Out of every 10 people who apply, only 4-5 actually show up on the
ground. Of those, only 1-2 complete their internship because many people prefer
social media engagement over actual social work. When faced with the
expectations of regular attendance and real work, many leave and criticize the
organization on their way out.
In the early years, these criticisms affected me
deeply. One such moment of encouragement was when a former faculty member from
my college, whom I hadn't spoken to in years, sent me a message on Facebook.
She told me she had been following my work for years and was incredibly proud
of what I had built. Her words were simple: "Never stop doing this."
That one message changed everything. It reminded me that our efforts were
making a difference.
Now, after a decade of work, we've matured enough
to understand that we don't need external validation or justification. Our work
speaks for itself. When you work with almost a thousand people monthly, and
these thousand people change every month, it's impossible to have everyone
satisfied. Even in corporate settings where people get paid, not every employee
is happy. Since we're not paying anyone, if 50 or even 100 people criticize us,
it's acceptable because there are still 900 people working effectively. They
might not be as vocal as the critics, but knowing they're engaged and making an
impact is motivation enough.
A Decade of Impact and Achievements
After working for nearly a decade, I can
confidently say that we have created real impact. We have helped thousands of
students and worked with thousands of volunteers who have given us positive
feedback. So many lives have been transformed, and when I look back, I am
grateful that I did not give up during those difficult moments. Had I allowed
negativity to stop me, the impact we see today wouldn't exist.
Our oldest center has been running for almost 10
years, creating deep emotional connections with our students. We've witnessed
incredible transformations—like a student who joined us in third grade and is
now attending Delhi University.
Last year alone, we saw several students pass their
12th exams and begin college, while others have started working. These
successes aren't one-time achievements but the result of consistent, sustained
effort over years.
The key lesson I learned is that setbacks and
failures are temporary, but the work we do has a lasting effect. If you fall,
you get up and keep going because the goal is bigger than any obstacle. The
ultimate goal was never to run a business or generate revenue. The goal was to
help people. Whether we help one person or a thousand, it doesn't matter. What
matters is that we keep going and continue to make a difference.
What Really Matters
The struggles, self-doubt, and criticism we face
are nothing compared to the impact we create. One of our biggest achievements
is sustaining Pehchaan without any government or institutional funding. We run
entirely on volunteer contributions and crowdfunding. Many organizations
started with us, but few have endured. What keeps us going is our shared belief
that everyone deserves equal opportunities.
We now have a student base of over 1,600 across
Delhi and Noida and a volunteer network of more than 1,500 active members. We
have collaborations with universities across India, ensuring that more students
receive quality education.
One of our proud moments was when a student from a
slum community passed his 12th-grade exams with 86%, scoring 93% in economics.
He was the first in his family and entire neighbourhood to achieve this
milestone. He even cleared the CUET exam and secured admission to Delhi
University. Seeing stories like his unfold proves why our work matters.
When I reflect on all the struggles, they seem insignificant compared to
the lives we have changed. The only way to build a better society is by
ensuring equal opportunities for all. If we are privileged, it is our duty to
share our resources with those who are not. At Pehchaan, we are not just
educating students; we are building a future where no one is left behind.