SUPPORT has now grown into an impressive edifice that stands on the rock-solid strength of its reputable trustees. Driven by magnanimity and the milk of human kindness, each of these sagacious individuals keeps an alert eye on every aspect and activity at SUPPORT and also guides its members with their worldly wisdom.
At the same time, they see to it that SUPPORT functions in accordance with the prescribed law and conditions. They truly epitomize the adage ‘A life lived for others is a life well-lived.’
It is said that all great things in the world begin as one man’s dream. Perhaps none can epitomize this adage better than Mr. Pradeep Phulchand Agarwal, a reputable Philanthropist and Founder Trustee of SUPPORT. Born with an inherent zeal to serve the needy, Mr Agarwal found his passion while still in college. He and four of his friends decided to help substance-addicted people in the society. They soon discovered the appalling truth of street children and their miserable lives racked by poverty, illiteracy, drug-abuse, hunger, malnutrition and disease, leading to their propensity to notoriety, anti-social behaviour and crime.
While still in his mid-twenties and utilizing his personal funds, Mr Agarwal launched SUPPORT on 18th July, 1985 with a view to identify and organize such hapless street kids, heal them in body & mind and then stabilize them in life. His NGO gives them a sense of identity and social belonging, provides them with healthy recreation and useful education, besides taking care of their cure. By this he pulls them out of the abyss of desolation and destitution. At times when funds were low and debts were high, Mr Agarwal didn’t shy away from pouring his own money into this noble endeavour. And nothing has stopped him from transforming lives for almost four decades.
Mr Agarwal’s indomitable spirit to serve the society did not just stop there; he started a state-of-the-art community kitchen to serve nutritious food to the deserving at NO COST. Under SUPPORT, we have coined this activity of community kitchen as “ANSH”, an acronym for his humble contribution towards providing Agreeable, Nutritious, Salubrious and Healthful food to the poorest of the poor.
A BA graduate and wife of founder Trustee Mr. Pradeep Agarwal, Mrs. Sapna Agarwal has been his support partner in his endeavours with SUPPORT since 1988.
After completing her Ph.D. in Social Work, Dr. Prerna Sharma worked as a professor in the premier TATA Institute of Social Sciences and also served as HOD at SNDT University. She joined hands with SUPPORT in 2014 and has rendered valuable service since then.
Mrs. Muzumdar holds postgraduate degrees in Arts and Social Work (MSW) along with a Diploma in Human Rights. She retired as the Vice-Principal of Nirmala Niketan College of Social Work. Mrs. Muzumdar is a recipient of various awards and has also authored a book ‘Dainandin Atmachintan’.
Even today this octogenarian grand doyenne is an active social scientist serving as a trustee to various NGOs. She has been guiding SUPPORT since 2007.
