Founder's Storyसंस्थापक की कहानी

I did not start Margik Foundation with big plans. I started with a small worry: that our forests, our women and our young people needed someone to stand with them.

I grew up in Madhya Pradesh. I saw the pressures on our forests. I saw women working hard but having limited opportunities to earn. I saw young people struggling with drugs and losing direction. I felt that I had to do something, even if it was small.

So we began with the forest. We planted trees, supported biodiversity conservation and worked with Joint Forest Management Committees to protect and regenerate our natural resources. Over time, our work expanded to forest fire prevention, bamboo regeneration, sustainable collection of minor forest produce and community participation in forest management.

We then started working more closely with women and young people. We taught women tailoring, beauty and other livelihood skills so that they could earn with dignity and greater independence. We trained young people in driving, mobile repair, computer skills and other practical trades. A skilled and confident rural youth can build a better future without having to leave their community.

We also realised that conservation and development cannot be separated from social wellbeing. We began awareness campaigns for a drug-free society and worked with the Madhya Pradesh Police and Seoni District Police on issues related to drug prevention, women's safety and community awareness.

I believe meaningful change does not always begin with a big project. Sometimes it begins with one tree, one trained woman, one young person who learns a skill, or one child who chooses to stay away from drugs. If our work can make even a small difference in someone's life and contribute to a healthier environment, I believe it is worth doing.