While most students of his age use WhatsApp, social media & computers to chat about mundane things, Rishabh Sharma, 17, used the technology to mobilise support for underprivileged children.
Rishabh Sharma empowers disadvantaged community
In December 2020, Rishabh incepted the social financing, not-for-profit initiative, OneStepForward, that supports education for underprivileged children, and their social upliftment, providing mid-day meal and skills development programs. In the past, Rishabh has helped in raising funds for Ankit Kumar, son of a migrant worker from Siwan district, Bihar. Rishabh, through his initiative and network, arranged for Ankit’s tuition fees for the engineering course. This child not only passed the JEE Mains 2021 exam with flying colours but is now fulfilling his dream of studying electronics & communication at Netaji Subhas University of Technology, Delhi. “By giving good education to children, we not only empower society but also secure the living of their parents and their future, those parents who are not capable enough to give education and a brighter life to their children. “Education does not only mean the knowledge that one gets from books but the life lessons that make a person more humane”, said Rishabh.
Since Rishabh had early exposure to technology, seeing that a lot more needed to be done for society, he needed a bigger platform to use his skills to network & coordinate. In collaboration with Aravindam India Foundation, an NGO based out of Gurugram actively involved in providing informal education and enhancing the student skills and making them employable ready. The Indian heritage art form helps children learn life skills, which allows them to become self-employable and earn their livelihoods right after getting knowledge. The skills that Aravindam India teaches are timeless art-making and the overall development of the child after their formal school education. Students can become masters in the heritage art forms & then self -becoming teachers in those art forms.
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So far his initiatives have empowered more than 200 children from various states, through the alternate skills development program of the Aravindam India Gurukul. His initiative has also supported more than 10,000 meals for students enrolled in the skills development program at the Aravindam India Foundation. He pooled in money from individuals & corporates by using technology platforms for fundraising to support Aravindam India initiatives. He is a student of The Shri Ram School, Aravali, Gurugram and this institution’s role in Rishabh’s development cannot be ignored. His compassion towards the disadvantaged section of society is impeccable.
In the words of Aravindam India’s Founder, and renowned physician, Dr Lokesh Abrol, “Rishabh’s life story is an inspiration for his peers. When more youngsters like Rishabh take up the cause of ‘each one to everyone, helping in creating opportunities for many, that will be the day when India will be a beacon not just for her own, but for the entire humanity across the world.”
Mr. Subro Das Founder and Director, Naya Savera Foundation said, "One person can make a difference and everyone should try, and together, we can create positive change”
Rishabh’s journey started with the Naya Savera Foundation Gurugram in 2016, when he was only 11 years old & still continuing his journey with the foundation. He spent a lot of time with the children at the foundation to understand their needs, and with his parents, providing them with study materials, mid-day meals and other utility items which they required in their daily lives. Rishabh was more driven to help these children to have the same dreams and opportunities as him. “Work and community service go hand in hand” is what Rishabh says.
Rishabh was honoured by the government on the occasion of India’s 75th Independence anniversary. He was bestowed with this recognition for his outstanding work in community service, and for empowering hundreds of children from different states and backgrounds through his OneStepForward initiative.
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