When I first entered the Dongri Observation Home, it was with the mindset of simply exploring. I had given myself three months to experiment and try something new before moving on to a different path. I didn’t expect to stay here for long, let alone start a new organization. But life had other plans.
One of my earliest and most powerful encounters was with a boy who broke many stereotypes I had walked in with. He was sharp yet respectful, hardened by his circumstances yet deeply empathetic, and while he carried a criminal mindset shaped by his past, he also showed a rare spiritual depth. He had a strong sense of justice, was confident, and was multi-talented. In just a few interactions, we connected at a human level and something inside me shifted.
Many of these children are trapped in a vicious cycle, shaped by poverty, trauma, neglect, and lack of support. Without timely intervention, they are pulled deeper into patterns that harm both themselves and society. What they lack is not just resources and the right environment, but also guidance and good role models to break free from this loop. Our goal is to turn this vicious cycle into a virtuous one.
Yes, many of these children have committed acts that are shocking and sometimes horrific. And yet, they have often faced unimaginable trauma themselves. Holding that duality is not easy but it is necessary. I’ve seen firsthand that these children are not just capable of change; they are capable of contributing meaningfully to the world around them. They carry within them untapped wisdom, creativity, and potential.
This belief led to the founding of Seedling Foundation, a platform to work systematically and compassionately towards inner transformation, emotional healing, mindset shift, and systemic reform.
I envision a Juvenile Justice System that does more than detain, it transforms. A system that becomes a turning point in every child’s life, setting them on a path of healing, dignity, and contribution. But such a transformation is not possible without community participation. We need society to believe in change, to look beyond labels, and to walk alongside us.
The challenges are large and real. But so is the potential. I invite you to dream with us, see this vision unfold, and be part of a cause that matters.
Love Joy Peace,
Karan Shah
At Seedling Foundation, we believe that transformation begins with inner change. Through our work, we have seen that meaningful rehabilitation is shaped not only by individual growth but also by the families, institutions, and systems that surround children. This belief guides our approach to strengthening both people and the environments that support them.
Meet Karan, a Mechanical Engineer turned social sector explorer. With a passion for analytical thinking and logical reasoning, he enjoys delving into various subjects, including Math, Science, Psychology, History, and Philosophy.
He likes spending his leisure time either playing sports or being out in nature. He prefers being in the mountains than in cities! 🙂 His simple approach to life is reflected in his personal mantra, “If it’s not right, don’t do it; and if it’s not true, don’t say it.”
Karan is an explorer of life, constantly seeking truth and personal growth. The practice of Vipassana Meditation has been a powerful anchor for him on his journey. He is also a vegan and an animal lover, committed to making a positive impact on the world.
Currently, Karan is on both an internal journey of self-exploration and an external journey of service through Seedling Foundation.
Sheetal’s journey into Psychology began soon after finishing her 12th in Science, when she realized her true calling lay in understanding the human mind and behavior.
Her curiosity inspired her to explore various healing methods, including Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Handwriting Analysis, and Reiki. A creative at heart, she completed the Arts-Based Therapy (ABT) course at Pune’s World Centre of Creative Learning Foundation (WCCLF) in 2014, where she used music, dance, and painting to connect with and counsel children from challenging backgrounds. Her desire for deeper self-awareness led her to pursue a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Buddhist Mahayana Psychology and Ethics from Savitribai Phule University, Pune. Having worked mostly in the NGO sector, Sheetal continues to guide ABT students and work with children at risk.
She finds peace in trekking, music, reading, and meditation—and believes Nature remains her greatest teacher.
Puneet’s journey as an educator began in grade 11 with a simple question that never left him—why were some children on the streets instead of in school?
That thought shaped his belief that every child deserves not just access to education, but the chance to realize their full potential. Though once envisioning a corporate career, he was drawn early into the development sector by the deep fulfillment of working with children—something his MBA internship never matched. Guided by his personal mantra, “Is my work good enough for me to want my own child to receive it?” Puneet strives for excellence grounded in humility and collaboration. He believes meaningful change is a shared journey, where progress happens when we walk together.
Outside work, he enjoys the outdoors, acting, puzzles, and reading. Each day, he finds meaning in contributing—big or small—to a child’s journey of growth and hope.
Ever since childhood, he has held a deep and lasting interest in nature and the living world. This curiosity shaped his academic path, leading him to pursue a Bachelor’s in Zoology and a Master’s in Wildlife Biodiversity Conservation and Management. These years strengthened his scientific understanding while instilling a strong sense of responsibility toward ecosystems and the interconnectedness of life.
His UPSC journey marked a transformative phase, broadening his perspective beyond academics and deepening his awareness of societal realities. It fostered discipline, resilience, and purpose, while also nurturing values like empathy, patience, and self-reflection, shaping his understanding of service as seva.
This evolved into his role as an Educator at Seedling Foundation, Dongri, where he mentors children in a Juvenile Observation Home, helping them realize their potential and move toward a hopeful future, contributing to nation-building.
Majeeda has always been deeply curious about people, their stories, emotions, struggles and what shapes the way people move through life. This curiosity eventually led her towards Psychology and understanding herself and people around.
In her role at Seedling Foundation, She works in Partnership, Communication and Executive Support, supporting the organisation through collaboration, communication, and relationship building. For her, meaningful work begins with human connection and making people feel seen, heard and valued.
She believes in living with authenticity, purpose and compassion. Alongside her work she enjoys reading, learning, thoughtful conversation, philosophical conversations and moments filled with humor and joy.
A quote by Rumi that she deeply resonates with: “He who has led you so far will guide you further”.
Shamal is a management student and fashion designer who enjoys merging her management expertise with creativity and innovation. With a proven track record in various branded clothing companies, she effectively showcases her skill to connect to two areas.
At Seedling Foundation, she takes on a primary role of creating presentations and other designs like posters and campaigns. However, she has a versatile role, primarily at the back end, which includes overseeing daily managerial activities and providing support across various projects. She is dedicated and passionate about the work and open to learning new things and growing.
In her free time, Shamal enjoys traveling with family and friends, exploring new places, and connecting with nature. She is a strong advocate for environmental and animal protection, striving to make a positive impact whenever possible.
Ananya is a curious and passionate individual who finds meaning in understanding people that she comes across. She uses psychology as a tool to observe and connect with things around her.
At Seedling, she guides her efforts towards facilitating holistic support for the children during their time at the Observation home and post release. She is surprised every day by how much the children teach her about things she could never grasp. She leads with an attempt to look for the ways in which resilience shows up despite what life looks like for someone. She loves finishing a book within 2 days and then not picking up another for days. She loves singing, talking to animals and taking pictures of everything she can. She is grateful that nature exists.
She enjoys expressing her creativity by transforming ideas into something new.
Anjali graduated in the para-medical field, but through her experience working with people, she realized that what truly brings her happiness is contributing to others’ lives, even in small ways. She feels a deep sense of fulfillment when she can make someone’s journey a little easier. This motivation drives her to use her education and experiences to create a positive impact.
She loves traveling, exploring new places, and creating meaningful memories. She enjoys engaging in thoughtful conversations, learning from diverse perspectives, and finding joy in simple moments. She strongly believes in kindness, empathy, and treating everyone with respect.
Harsh strongly believes that service is the ultimate meditation. This is his calling to volunteer with Seedling Foundation.
An individual investor by profession, Harsh currently helps out with the website and data analysis at Seedling Foundation.
Harsh completed his MBA from Carnegie Mellon University, PA, USA. Outside of work and volunteering, he enjoys learning languages and keeping track of latest developments in cosmology and physics.
If the idea of working with and just bringing a sense normalcy in the lives of children at risk calls to you, Harsh invites you to join the team at Seedling Foundation for a fun time!
Amit works as a Computer Trainer at Seedling Foundation. In his role, he facilitates digital skill-building sessions, guiding learners in using essential computer tools and managing website operations. Alongside teaching, he actively contributes to various technical and organizational activities that support the foundation’s mission.
With an educational background in Computer Applications, He brings both technical knowledge and a learner’s mindset to his work. Being part of Seedling Foundation is not just a professional journey for him — it’s a path to personal growth and purpose, allowing me to explore a more meaningful way of living through service and learning.
Outside of work, he enjoys reading books and listening to music, which help him stay inspired and balanced.