About Vikas Vishranti Charitable Trust
The Beginning
Greater Noida, part of the state of Uttar Pradesh and the NCR, is a growing commercial and education hub. Its demographics consist of students, corporate employees and labourers. Most often the construction site workers and daily wage workers, in their search for livelihood and to take care of their basic daily needs, are unable to look after their children. The children keep moving from one site to another with their families, deprived of basic facilities and amenities and of course, education.
Mrs. R.K. Usha, in her 70s, having retired from the tourism sector after a long stint of 30 years, and practicing law was moved by the plight of these children. While practicing in the lower court, she came across juveniles accused in crimes. Social deprivation and lack of education were the main reason behind these children in conflict with the law. According to the National Crime Records Bureau’s Crime in India 2018, there were 31,591 crimes committed by juveniles in 2018 – a matter of grave concern.
In her effort to channelise the limitless energies of these children into a positive direction, she started Apna School in 2011 with 11 students – children of construction site workers, vegetable vendors, daily wagers among others. She gathered the children on the roadside and started teaching them. People passing by, curious to know what an elderly lady was doing on the roadside, would sometimes contribute to her effort.
The Founder
The founder of Vikas Vishranti, Mrs. R.K. Usha, now in her mid 70s, was working with the tourism industry for 30 years in various capacities with the government and private sector. At the age of 55 years, her life took a complete turn when she decided to take voluntary retirement and shift her residence to Greater Noida.
She decided to practice law in the lower court which exposed her to the darker realities of life – full of lies, cheating, fraud, jealousy, theft, robbery and even murder on the slightest pretext. The very sight of accused juvenile, brought to the court handcuffed by the police, would send shivers down her spine.
Her concern for the well being of the marginalised and her belief that ordinary, nameless citizens had the power to bring about positive change in the society, led to the formation of the Vikas Vishranti Charitable Trust in 2011. The initiative started with the Apna School with 11 children gathered on the roadside to impart education. Mrs. Usha would herself teach the children.
The Trust was registered in 2013.
Trustees
- Mrs. R. K. Usha
- Mrs. Gopi Trivedi
- Dr. Vivek Mishra
- Mr. Susheel Chauhan
Founder and President of the organisation, Mr. Usha has a Masters degree in History and a Diploma in Personnel Management as well as Travel and Tourism. Having served the tourism industry for around 30 years, she took voluntary retirement in 2002 from Delhi Tourism Development Corporation and started practicing law. During her tenure with Delhi Tourism, she was responsible for setting up the Delhi Haat Crafts Bazaar at INA.
An MA in Psychology and Philosophy and with a Diploma in Guidance and Counselling Psychology, Mrs. Trivedi is interested in education, guidance and providing emotional support to young and old. She was Hostel Superintendent with Apeejay School, Noida, and taught Psychology at the Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya, Gwalior.
A surgeon by profession, Dr. Mishra specialises in laparoscopic surgery. He has worked in different capacities with Coal India Limited, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Holy Family Hospital in Delhi. He has been associated since 2013.
Mr. Chauhan, the Joint Secretary of the Trust, holds a B.Com degree and an MBA in Finance. He is the Designated Partner in the Startup Impex Consultant LLP – a consultancy firm providing accounting, corporate secretarial services, import and various registration services to corporate and individual clients. He has been associated with the organisation since 2013.
Members
- Mrs. Urvashi Singh
- Mrs. Saroj Singh
- Mrs. Lalita Sharma, Treasurer
- Mrs. Manju Srivastava
- Mrs. Shakti Mathur
Mrs. Urvashi Singh, MSc, MEd, is an educationist for the last 40 years. She has worked in the capacity of Principal and Director in various schools and supports the idea of Universal Right to Education. As the Vice President of Vikas Vishranti Trust, she has taken multidimensional roles as a teacher, coordinator and integrator. She has been associated since the beginning of the initiative.
The Secretary, Mrs. Saroj Singh, is a homeopathic practitioner since 1986, social worker and an avid yoga practitioner. She along with her friend had started Sri Gurukul, a school for underprivileged children in Noida in 2004. A Lioness Club member since 2007, she has contributed to environmental causes by building parks and planting trees and organised various medical camps. She has been associated with Vikas Vishranti since 2012.
The Treasurer of the Trust, Mrs. Sharma is MA, Bed from Jewar, Gautam Budh Nagar. She has an aptitude and temperament to help people, specially senior citizens. She is an active member of the Inner Wheel Women’s Club, Greater Noida, and involved in many social activities.
A homemaker, Mrs. Srivastava has a degree in fashion and arts. While raising her own children, she realised that there were many underprivileged children who did not have access to education and a good life. She has been with Vikas Vishranti from the initial period to help these children secure a better future.
Hailing from Moradabad, Mrs. Shakti Singh Mathur is an MA, LLB. She started practicing law at Tis Hazari court, Delhi, in 1986 and is now practicing at the District Court in Gautam Budh Nagar. She provides probono services to her less privileged clients. She has been associated since 2013.