We believe that we have the opportunity to make a difference. We can restore the sense of balance, equality and equanimity that we were always meant to live with.
Our story began in a small town called Risod
Our founder Purushottam Agrawal comes from a humble family, hailing from Risod in the interiors of Maharashtra, India. He, along with his younger brother Madhusudan, learnt the virtues of philanthropy by witnessing their generous family participate in many charitable activities openly. Their mother taught them that “the tree that is laden with fruit has to bend its branches, showing humility in prosperity”. The seeds of change had been sown.
As grown-ups, the Agrawal brothers became successful entrepreneurs taking their pharma Company, Ajanta Pharma to great heights. However, the duo was always drawn to working for a larger purpose. Even as they built one of the fastest growing pharma companies, they also realised that the corporate working structures could prove very effective for the social work that they were doing.
Samta Foundation was born to impact the grassroots
Founded in 2012, Samta Foundation began making forays into the fields of health care, starting with cataract care, and education, treading carefully into regions that needed desperate and urgent help. Gaining confidence of the locals through effective work, Samta Foundation slowly expanded its work to Prisoners’ Transformation and many other Community Services.
Built on the tenets of equality
Inspired to bridge divides and bring about equality, our activities are characterised by thoughtful planning, where inputs from local field experts and collaboration with various institutions act as crucial cogs in the wheel. We consistently follow best practices that we have documented to enable our vision of a wider spread and a deeper penetration.
Our Healthcare Journey
- Dr. Laxmi Kant Mishra, Joint Director of Health Services, started providing free cataract surgeries in rural and tribal India (1990)
- Inspired by him, Samta Foundation launched Cataract Care, their longest running activity till date (2012) and has been conducting surgeries under BJ Trust since then
- A team member brought the gravity of the malnutrition problem to light, working on his home area of Melghat – Samta Foundation launched a 3-pronged attack to tackle malnutrition with a pilot in Palghar
- During a visit to Jawhar area in Palghar district, Dr. Bharat Kumar Mahalle from Jawhar, Gynaecologist in the Sub-District Hospital contacted Purushottam Agrawal; highlighted the need for family planning activities (2012)
- After a pilot in 2013, Samta Foundation initiated full-fledged Family Planning services
- As family funds got added to CSR funds, activities at Aurangabad and Risod quickly expanded to entire Maharashtra
Our Education Journey
- Samta Foundation’s education services began at Manutai Kanya Shala, the alma mater of Late Samta Agrawal, the wife of our founder Purushottam Agrawal, and the inspiration behind Samta Foundation (2014)
- The school was in a dilapidated condition; the Foundation began with basic renovations like fixing leaky roofs and providing strong furniture
- Existing sewing set-up was limited in capacity, used foot operated sewing machines and catered to few students
- Samta Foundation initiated a Dress Designing & Tailoring course at school inviting voluntary participation from students; also introduced at Moin ul Uloom School, Aurangabad and Jawkhed village, Jalna
- Samta Foundation expanded activities to Risod, where Purushottam Agrawal studied
- Between 2020-23 we have added 6 New Computer Labs in schools, 16 DDT Labs, 3 Community Centers, and 1 Computer & DDT Lab at Nashik Central Prison.
- To bring rural children at par with urban peers in digital literacy, computer courses now expanded in 42 schools of Maharashtra.
Our Prisoner Transformation Journey
- Dr Pradip Murambikar, Civil Surgeon at Government Hospital Chandrapur, persuaded Samta Foundation to bring eye care to prisons (2016)
- Dr Rajendra Dhamne, DIG, Central Prisons Maharashtra, brought to light the need of skin care services for inmates, and the initiative was rolled out too (2016)
- Focus on female hygiene as requested by Ms. Swati Sathe, DIG, Prisons, Pune
- Samta Foundation was told how many inmates await trial for bailable minor crimes or serve maximum possible sentences for their crime while still being on trial. Bail amount of as low as Rs 400 is unaffordable for some inmates
- Moved by their helpless situation, Samta Foundation collaborated with prison officers and state judiciary to release deserving prisoners on bail
Our Community Services Journey
- Madhusudan Agrawal supported Ghadge Maharaj Dharamshala, which provided accommodations to rural population visiting cities for medical treatment. The Dharamshalas were in dilapidated condition with no funds for maintenance
- He immediately renovated 3 Dharamshalas attached to JJ Hospital and St. George Hospital in Mumbai and the Government Medical College in Aurangabad
- He also started a common kitchen where freshly cooked meals were offered at highly subsidised rates
- Dr. Kailash Bhaviskar of Civil Hospital Aurangabad requested Samta Foundation to provide free shelters to patients from rural regions and their families also: helping accompanying relatives who waited outside hospitals
- The Foundation constructed shelters at hospitals; supplemented with cleaning and maintenance routines
Our Initiatives
Healthcare
We collaborate with Government bodies to reach help in rural and tribal areas, where it is needed the most
Education
We set up computer labs and vocational infrastructure and provide trained teachers. Our computer curriculum has been designed by IIT, Bombay
Prisoner Transformation
We work with prison officers to conduct regular camps, cure patients of skin and eye diseases and improve the quality of life
Stories of Real Change
Eknathji’s account: Community Service
Samta Annachattra provides welcome relief to relatives of patients from rural regions coming to city hospitals
Harsha’s story: Vocational Course
A shy girl took steps for self-empowerment and found financial independence for herself, and her family
Janu’s story: Cataract Cure
As the elderly man’s eyesight worsened, a specialised Cataract Surgery gave him more than the ability to see
