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“Be the change you wish to see in the world.“

These words of Mahatma Gandhi aptly describe the founder of Navratan Foundations, Ashok Srivastava. An electrifying, charismatic and a charming personality, he is a man with a noble mission – to touch lives of those in need of a healing presence. His   rock-solid determination and a never say no attitude make him stand apart from others. He is an avid believer in Do what you can, with what you have, wherever you are. With this thought, Ashok started Navratan Foundation in 2002. A member of many prominent social organizations since his early youth gave him an edge while viewing different perspectives of issues on ground. Leaving behind a lucrative corporate life to work with people at the grassroot level was not a sacrifice but a compulsive desire to inspire those who had the intent but lacked motivation to bring change.

A philanthropist and a social thought leader, Ashok focused his energies on creating a social enterprise. The foundation focused on unseen talent and created programmes and initiatives around it which were pursued in a holistic and sustainable manner

An orator and speaker of the highest caliber, it is Ashok’s wit and ability to hold a conversation that make him a people’s person. A social entrepreneur with a penchant for honing talent, he aims to bring a new dawn in the lives of the less fortunate. With passing time, his desire to improve and enhance quality of life for the oppressed and marginalized sections, build capacity and help those who have been suppressed in social and economic domain is on a high.

FOUNDER’S MESSAGE

“It is in giving that we receive”

Dear friends

A person’s most useful asset is not a head full of knowledge, but a heart full of love, an ear ready to listen and a hand willing to help others.

Starting Navratan was not about being a philanthropist but to fulfill a dream of creating a platform to help the less fortunate. The transition from my corporate role to dedicating my energies to the foundation has been a satisfying journey so far. What is needed is to create trust. As social innovators we’ve got to be visionaries, tenacious and courageous. We cannot give up finding innovative solutions within our limited capacity to uplift and support unseen talent of any kind.

My happy moments are when children from our slum school confidently recite poems, when women from our tailoring center start earning and become self-reliant and when a 40-year-old adult learns to read and write. It is this bond with them and the growing belief in their own ability that brings me great joy and solace!

I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep

Ashok Srivastava