Swamini Lalitananda ji joined hands with Sri Omananda Swamiji in a noble undertaking. To raise funds to house, feed and educate destitute children and women in three different locations in India. After the Maha Samadhi of Omananda Swamiji, she continues the noble work with present Swamiji Sivananda Saraswathi.
With the divine blessings of her Guru, Swaminiji has established the Atma Vidya Ashram. Their Ashrams are purely run by donations and do not receive any aid from either the State or the Central Government of India.
IDRF partner since:2006
Focus Area: Education
Location: Narsipuram, Andhra Pradesh
Project Title: Sri Sivananda Ashram
Details: Sivananda Ashram/ Orphanage and School is an affectionate home to destitute children and is located in a very remote area near Narsipuram, Dist. Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh. Recently a school was constructed by the Ashram for the benefit of Ashram children as well as surrounding rural children. About 200 children are being educated in this school. IDRF has been supporting their project ‘Dollar a Day’ (DAD) program, and funds go towards providing lodging, boarding and education for the poor and helpless children
School operated by Sivananda Ashram
Swamini Lalitananda ji with the children at the Ashram
Almost all the children in the ashram have painful stories to tell about their past. But Swaminiji’s mission has made all the difference in their lives. Their basic necessities are taken care of and their confidence is boosted to move on in life with greater spirit and confidence. Let us all join together and strengthen this noble endeavor in our own humble way by supporting IDRF in meeting the basic necessities and education of these destitute and orphaned children.
Arpana Research and Charities Trust was set up in 1962, as a non-profit organization working to improve health, provide education and enhance livelihoods through programs covering over 350,000 people in rural Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and in Delhi’s slum resettlement colonies.
Arpana is engaged in intensive health and rural development programs in over 248 villages of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, including, healthcare, maternity/ child welfare, livelihood and rights promotion, water and sanitation, farmers’ welfare and computer trainings. Arpana is also working towards education, health and development of over 50,000 people in slum resettlement colonies of Molar Bund in New Delhi.
IDRF partner since: 2000
Focus Area: Good Governance and Women’s Empowerment
Project Title: Good Governance: To Increase Attendance of Women and Scheduled Caste Members at Gram Sabha Meetings
Details: IDRF and Arpana joined hands as a component of their women’s empowerment program, and started a number of Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Haryana. During the initial 3-4 years IDRF confined its activities regarding gender parity in 10 villages. The grand success of this experience gradually led IDRF to expand the program from 10 villages to 40 villages and eventually to 100 villages. On the other hand, IDRF gradually broadened the scope of its involvement from gender parity to Improved Health Care and Economic Emancipation by supporting SHGs for women, farmers and differently-abled persons.
IDRF’s partnership with Arpana led to the formation of 980 women’s SHGs, comprising of about 12,000 rural women, which have brought about an incredible enhancement of women’s self-esteem, confidence, and social recognition in their family and community.
In April 2015, with the consistent encouragement and support of IDRF, Arpana launched a project with a goal to implemented strategies for the sustainability and longevity of the 821 SHGs formed with 11,588 rural women members and the two federations of these groups. 100 SHG women have been trained as community trainers who are able to perpetuate the process of community level trainings, with minimal support of Arpana staff. A broad base of SHG women leaders have emerged through the intensive monthly village level trainings which have equipped over 4,000 women with skills and capacities to manage their groups and maintain records of all transactions in their groups.
Theater workshops and street plays held with each batch of trainers have contributed enormously in building the participants’ communication skills, self-confidence, self-expression, and body language, etc. A sound understanding of health, development and gender issues, and village governance is also imparted in the participants. Awareness of issues related to the differently-abled is being engendered, to work for inclusion in all spheres.
Equipped with the financial support from IDRF, as well as financial training from Arpana, it has become much easier for the SHG members to take micro-credits for starting up small business enterprises. This has brought about a profound transformation in their lives. The female entrepreneurs are running successful local businesses, supporting themselves, and also contributing to their families’ living standards. Over 7,234 cumulative loans have been taken by the members for their small businesses.
Village level training events were organized in 2016, in order to reinforce the skills in record-keeping for 2-4 literate members from all SHGs. About 4,000 participants were made aware of the importance of new norms for repayment of loans and also improving the punctuality and discipline in their groups. Village level training events reinforce record keeping, upgrading accounting and banking skills in the members. Modern mobile technology of text messaging is used to facilitate co-ordination of meetings, networking and trouble-shooting.
A Woman Entrepreneur- Sumitra’s Success Story:
A Woman Entrepreneur- Sumitra’s Success Story:
“My husband and I could barely feed our children,” says Anita from Sardarpur village, “but he did not allow me to work or even leave our home.” Anita then came to know about a women’s self-help group program, sponsored by IDRF. Self-help groups save and lend collectively, start businesses, and learn about everything from bookkeeping to reproductive health. “I joined a group without my husband’s knowledge. Slowly I started saving money… I went to the meetings…he only found out when I took my first loan, to help him set up a barber’s kiosk!” As his kiosk prospered, he became supportive of her efforts. Anita also used loans from her group to set up a dairy. “We have a good income now. Our children are all going to school. Our eldest is in a good private school!” She even found a job as a maternal health worker, because “I learned a lot about health in our self-help group meetings.” She was once a prisoner in her own home, but now: “I am confident. I have respect and status in my village. People recognize me and listen to me – all because of my group’s support and all I learned as a member … in each meeting over 7 years!”
Please click on the link to learn more about Arpana Research and Charitable Trust’s multifaceted activities for the underprivileged section of the society.
Ajekar Padma Gopal Education Trust was created and developed by Dr. Sudhakar Shetty and likeminded people. Under this trust Karkala Jnanasudha Pre-University College was established on June 16th 2011 with the motto of “Knowledge-Research-Values”. The Karkala Jnanasudha Pre-University College focuses on preparing talented youths to pass various entrance exams for admittance into India’s top engineering and medical institutions.
IDRF partner since: 2011
Focus Area: Education
Location: Karnataka
Project Title: Construction of Science Laboratories and Classrooms
Details: With IDRF’s support, Ajekar Padma Gopal Education Trust has been able to expand the Karkala Jnanasudha Pre-University College by constructing new science laboratories with internet facilities and spacious classrooms. This infrastructure has made it possible for the school to provide free, but quality education and university preparation program to about 550 economically disadvantaged students from nearby villages. The trust has also been able to award scholarships to meritorious students from economically weaker classes and hostel facilities for both boys and girls.
Students at the Karkala Jnanasudha Pre-University College
The tribal communities in India suffer from a lack of both education and proper health care facilities due to various factors including government neglect. As a result, the communities often have a sense of alienation from present-day India which is being rapidly urbanized and modernized. To bring them into the mainstream with economic development but with their cultural moorings intact is an extremely important task. Akhil Bharatiya Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (ABVKA) is dedicated to empowering these communities, by providing quality education, women’s empowerment and economic development programs, as well as conducting health programs and medical camps.
Project Title: Veer Narayan Project, Mahakoshal, (MP)Bastar Development Project (CG)Mizoram Development ProjectAmbulance service for poor patients at Jashpur (CG)
Details: ABVKA is operating the following projects housing and educating underprivileged students from the various tribes. These development programs are supported by IDRF as well as numerous local donors. IDRF also continues to support several other projects in the areas of health, education and empowerment of tribal women and children.
Maa Danteshwari Kanya Chhatravas, Barsoor, Bastar
Bal Sanskar Kendra
Project
Location
Includes
1
Veer Narayan Sewa Project
Mahakoshal MP
2 Boys’ Hostels 1 Girls’ Hostel 40 One Teacher Schools Health services
2
Bastar Development Project
Bastar Chhattisgarh
2 Boys’ Hostel 1 Girls’ Hostel Tailoring Training Center 15 Bal Sanskar Kendra 40 One Teacher Schools Health Services
3
Medical & Blindness/ Eye Camps
Jashpur Chhattisgarh
Distribution of Vitamins to tribal children Medical van attending to accident & burns cases child
4
Mizoram Development Project
Mizoram
15 Primary schools with 500+ students from 28 villages 15 One Teacher Schools Health services Community training for conservation
Public Health Concern Trust, Nepal (phect-NEPAL) is a secular, non-political, not-for-profit national level Non-government Organization (NGO) committed to health development. It was founded in 1991, with the overall objective of developing a model of sustainable community health care throughout rural Nepal.
IDRF partner since: 2012
Focus Area: Health and Disaster Rehabilitation
Location: Nepal
Project Title: COVID-19 Relief Campaign in Nepal
Details: During the coronavirus pandemic, IDRF has sent $10,000 to Phect-Nepal to address specific needs at the Kathmandu Model Hospital. The grant helped cover the things such as:
Financial help for hospital staff (laid off or has work hours reduced)
Operating costs that were impacted due to a reduction in the hospital’s revenue
Procurement of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
Essential equipment for the care of in-patients during the pandemic
Emergency supplies for virus control and containment, etc.
We did it again!!! We are excited to share with you that IDRF has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Guidestar for the seventh year in a row!
“I found myself heavy-hearted, fighting back the tears. This was a turning point for me…..
An interview with Founder/President, Dr. Vinod Prakash by Go Solo magazine for his journey of dedication and passion. For full interview Click here to read
IDRF offers funding to various charity and development programs through different NGOs across India and few other countries.
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Ms. Shubhra Garg (Masters in Mathematics; MBA), USA
Secretary
Member since 2022
Shubhra Garg retired from the World Bank in 2015 as Chief Administrative Officer, having served for over 25 year in a variety of senior management and technical positions in the areas of strategy, leadership, budget, performance management, finance, and administration. She has also served as treasurer and secretary on the Board of another NGO. Shubhra did her Master in Mathematics from Delhi University and an M.B.A from University of Maryland.
Mr. Adesh Jain (Masters, B.Tech), USA
Member since 2022
Adesh is a seasoned, hands-on leader with over 30 years of progressive experience in leading an information technology services business. He is currently responsible for Belcan’s Federal Civilian business and Vice President and General Manager. He is passionate about building trusting customer relationships, and business management with sharp focus on growth. Adesh has a Masters degree from University of Maryland at College park and Bachelors from Indian Institute of Technology at Kanpur, India. Adesh enjoys reading business books, running, badminton and volunteering in various organizations including IDRF, Capital IIT and Girls Scouts. He lives in Herndon, VA with his wife and two kids.
Dr. Prem Garg (PhD, Engineering-Economic Systems), USA
Treasurer
Member since August 2014
Dr. Prem Garg retired from the World Bank in 2007 after serving as the Director for the Quality Assurance Group and in a variety of operational and executive positions for 35 years. He is recognized as a leader in providing innovative approaches to development programs. Dr. Garg received his doctorate in Engineering-Economic Systems from Stanford University.
Rajeev has over 20 years’ experience in starting and scaling small business for success and impact. He’s been involved with IDRF as a volunteer, adviser, Board member and now as their Executive Director. His focus is making IDRF more efficient and impactful in its mission to serve the underprivileged. He holds a B.Tech. from IIT Delhi and an MBA from University of Maryland.
Donor Spotlight
Mr. Inder Sud, a former World Bank Director and President of the 1818 Society (2015-21), is
a highly respected member of the Indian-American community in the Washington DC Metro Area. Over the years he and his wife Peggy have supported several projects in India through IDRF. In 2022, they supported the
renovation of a hostel mess at Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya in Jalandhar, Punjab with the help of the Udhampur Rotary Eye & General Welfare Foundation.
Dr. G. R. Verma (Ph.D. Mathematics), USA
Member since 2011
Dr. Verma is among IDRF’s top donors. He visits India every year, devoting his resources to rural women’s education, self-empowerment and social reforms. IDRF benefits tremendously from his extensive experience in development. He guides NGOs in India to create scalable projects that can accelerate social development.
Bharathi Mallampati (MS, Engineering), USA
Member since June 2022
Bharathi came to the USA for her MS in 1991 and pursued her career with Bell Communications Research. She was involved in IDRF from 1995 and later became the New Jersey and Atlanta, Georgia chapters’ coordinator. Moving back to India for family, she started a small-scale industry for a few years and worked as an Associate Professor at CVR Engineering College. She participated in different projects under Sewa Bharati and was the joint secretary for Vaidehi Ashram, a home for destitute girls. She later started a new project for adolescent girls from poor neighborhoods called Vaidehi Kishori Vikas Yojana. Since 2015, moving back to the USA, she has taken an advisory role in projects in India and actively works with IDRF to raise funds.
Ms. Nisha Narayanan (Masters in Economics), USA
Member since 2021
Ms. Narayanan is a risk and compliance professional with over 15 years of experience in anti-money laundering, anti-corruption and political and economic risk. She became interested in sustainable development while working at the World Bank and through a prior project on corporate citizenship in India. She brings to IDRF a passion for empowering marginalized communities with the tools to improve their lives through strong local partnerships that focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance goals. She received an M.A. in Economics from George Mason University and a B.A. in International Relations from William and Mary.
Mr. Mohinder Gulati, (MBA-Finance, Masters in Physics), USA
Member since 2017
Mr. Gulati retired from the World Bank in 2015 after having served as Advisor (Energy) at the World Bank and as Chief Operating Officer of United Nations Sustainable Energy for All. He has also worked in several executive positions in India in a financial intermediary, commercial banking, investment banking, and armed forces. A post-graduate in Physics and Management from Delhi University and Management training at Harvard Business School, he brings 40 years of development experience to the Board.
Dr Vinod Prakash (PhD, Economics),USA
President
Member since 1988
Dr. Vinod Prakash is a retired World Bank economist and the founder of IDRF. He has been working pro bono since 1988 to help alleviate poverty and enable sustainable development in India. He provides strategic oversight to leverage maximum benefits from donor dollars and shapes programs so they address the interlocking needs of the less privileged.
Dr. Suresh C. Gupta (M.D.), USA
Member since 2020
Dr. Gupta is a highly respected physician who has been honored by the state of Maryland for his work as chair of the Maryland Board of Physicians. He has been elected as the first Indian-American president of Prince George’s Medical Society, Prince George’s Hospital Center, President of Hindu Temple, and President and Chairman of Durga Temple. He is actively involved in the cultural-philanthropic activities of the Indian-American community and several religious, health-related activities at the county and state level. Dr. Gupta has held leadership positions with several Indian-American organizations in the area.
