Young Social Activist
Early recognition of our founder's grassroots activism and community mobilisation in and around Bengaluru.
2009Year founded
Before there was a Foundation
“Small savings from pocket money, chocolates and biscuits carried to the children of a slum near his uncle's house. The seeds of Aahwahan Foundation were sown on that day.”
From the Founder & CEO's own message, about/director
Pocket money
Biscuits for the slum children
College years
Fundraising for social causes
Bengaluru
A career built the hard way, from Odisha
How pocket money became a Foundation
- Pocket moneyBiscuits for the slum children
- CollegeFundraising for social causes
- CareerBuilt the hard way, from Odisha
- 2009Aahwahan founded
- GrowthProgrammes at national scale
- TodayRural transformation today
Founded in Jayanagar, Bengaluru, in 2009
The head office is still there today.
Other honours
2026Best NGO in India
National recognition as one of India's leading non-profits for sustained, community-led impact across education, health and the environment.
2026Best NGO of the Year
Honoured for high-impact CSR partnerships and measurable outcomes delivered across our programme areas.
National Excellence Award for Social Entrepreneur
For pioneering, entrepreneurial approaches to grassroots social change.
Best NGO Award for Environment
Recognition for our tree-plantation and green-cover work that has put over 70 lakh plants into the ground.
Best Social Activist of the Year
Celebrating a decade and a half of on-ground service.