Mumbai: Extending compassionate hands to the pain visible before our eyes and becoming a shelter for the underprivileged — this is the guiding vision of the ‘Nanma Charitable Foundation’ (NANMA), a registered charitable trust based in Kalyan, Thane district. Since its inception on April 14, 2013, the organization has touched the lives of more than 25,000 people through 13 years of selfless and unparalleled service. The foundation’s compassionate initiatives have spread equally across the states of Maharashtra and Kerala.
In a world often filled with excuses and indifference, the driving force behind Nanma Foundation is a man who chose to live for others beyond his demanding professional life. A railway officer, he tirelessly leads initiatives for the poor and differently-abled despite his hectic schedule. A motorman by profession, he remains the heart and soul of this movement.
‘Nanma’ — Born from Tears on the Railway Tracks
The life of a railway motorman, responsible for safely transporting lakhs of passengers daily, is far from easy. Throughout his years of service, he witnessed countless tragic deaths before his eyes — people jumping in front of speeding trains in moments of despair, blood-soaked bodies, and horrifying railway accidents that ended lives within seconds. These traumatic experiences deeply disturbed him. Witnessing such tragedies and the tears of grieving families ignited in him a powerful desire to support the living, wipe away at least a few tears, and become a source of hope for those in pain. The bloodshed and deaths he witnessed on railway tracks became the greatest inspiration behind extending the helping hand of ‘Nanma’.
Led by General Secretary Sunil Raj A., Nanma’s core team consists of professionals from various fields who dedicate their weekends and holidays to bringing happiness into the lives of others. Currently active in Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Kerala, the foundation is preparing to expand its services across India in the coming years.
‘Nanma Education Assistance’ — Supporting Children with Disabilities
The ‘Nanma Education Assistance’ (NEA) project, launched to support the education of differently-abled children, has already gained significant recognition and appreciation. In collaboration with the Rotary Club of Ulhasnagar, the first phase of the project began in February last year, supporting the educational expenses of 43 differently-abled students from underprivileged families in the Ambernath-Kalyan region of Mumbai. In the second phase conducted in July, financial assistance was extended to 39 additional students from Ulhasnagar, Ambernath, and Badlapur. Nanma aims to support more than 100 differently-abled children in the coming years.
A Loving Touch that Saved an Entire Tribal Village
One of Nanma Foundation’s most heart-touching initiatives was adopting the tribal village of Dandwalgaon in Mokhada Taluka, Maharashtra. The village, once reporting hundreds of infant deaths annually due to malnutrition, witnessed a remarkable transformation through Nanma’s intervention.
Through a four-phase nutrition program, children were continuously provided with milk, eggs, fruits, and nutritious food. As a result, the infant mortality rate in the village was reduced to zero. The organization also conducted medical camps and distributed school uniforms and educational materials. In addition to Dandwalgaon, Nanma has supported schools and Anganwadis in tribal villages such as Vehloli, Plotpad, Munjyachimeth, Vikaswadi, and Morhand by providing educational materials and clean drinking water systems.
Milestones in Health and Environmental Awareness
Nanma’s activities extend far beyond aid distribution. In October 2013, the organization conducted the ‘Green Odyssey’ Bullet Bike Rally from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod to raise awareness about the harmful effects of Endosulfan pesticide. The rally attracted widespread public attention.
Other major milestones include:
- ‘Vismaya Ability Unlimited’, a mega show organized in Dombivli showcasing the talents of differently-abled artists.
- ‘Reluctance’, a short film created to spread AIDS awareness.
- Motivational workshops conducted for students.
Nanma has also remained at the forefront in providing food and essential supplies to old-age homes, orphanages, and street children across Kerala and Maharashtra.
Moving Toward New Goals with Recognition and Appreciation
The exemplary work carried out selflessly by this couple and their friends over the years has received widespread appreciation from various quarters.
Nanma’s next major goal is to launch comprehensive skill development and employment programs for tribal youth. In collaboration with corporate institutions and like-minded individuals, the foundation is designing long-term projects aimed at poverty eradication and youth self-reliance.
From the Railway Tracks to the Path of Compassion
Despite the demanding responsibilities of operating Mumbai’s local trains, the founder has successfully led Nanma Charitable Trust for the past 13 years with unwavering dedication. The discipline and punctuality learned from railway service became the backbone of his social service journey. The smiles and gratitude of suffering people provide the real energy to balance both responsibilities. The support of dedicated friends and colleagues has made this humanitarian journey even more meaningful.
The Dandwalgaon Miracle — Bringing Infant Mortality to Zero
Transforming tribal villages like Dandwalgaon in Mokhada was never easy. Initially, gaining the trust of tribal communities was the biggest challenge. Superstitions and lack of health awareness created obstacles, but Nanma remained committed. By staying among the villagers, speaking their language, and continuously conducting medical camps and nutrition programs, the organization succeeded in eliminating infant mortality in the region.
Nanma’s experience demonstrates that sustained intervention and trust-building are the keys to adopting and transforming a village successfully.
A Ray of Hope During Flood Disasters
During the devastating floods that struck Maharashtra and Kerala, Nanma Charitable Foundation emerged as a beacon of hope and compassion for affected families. Guided by the belief that “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give,” the volunteers extended humanitarian support across both states, directly helping more than 1,000 families.
Nanma’s ‘Care Initiative’ in Vehloli Tribal Village
Nanma Foundation has now launched a one-year comprehensive development project in Vehloli village of Thane district, Maharashtra. The project covers education, healthcare, nutrition, environmental protection, and school renovation in six phases, benefiting 354 tribal students.
The initiative includes:
- Educational materials
- Computers
- Free medical camps
- Nutrition distribution
- Drinking water purification systems
The vision and leadership of Secretary Sunil Raj, supported by volunteers including Mridul Prabhakaran, Divya Nair, and Dr. Abhay Gaikwad, continue to drive Nanma’s inspiring journey.
Hope for Auto Drivers During the Lockdown
During the COVID-19 lockdown, when livelihoods came to a standstill, Nanma Foundation supported nearly 250 struggling auto-rickshaw driver families and other underprivileged households in Netivli, Kalyan East. For an entire year, the organization continuously distributed food kits and vegetables, becoming a lifeline for families affected by hunger and unemployment.
Team Nanma’s Relief Mission in Sangli
When floods devastated Western Maharashtra and displaced more than one lakh people, volunteers from Nanma Foundation mobilized rapidly from Kalyan, Mumbai. They collected over 5 tons of relief materials including food grains, clothes, and sanitary supplies and personally distributed them across flood-affected villages such as Walwa, Kundalwadi, Tadulwadi, Chikurdi, Ithod, and Devarade.
A 16-member team led by General Secretary Sunil Raj traveled kilometers on foot to deliver aid directly to over 680 families.
Messengers of Love for Flood-Hit Kerala
During Kerala’s worst flood disaster in a century, Nanma’s volunteers traveled from Mumbai to Kerala carrying over 5 tons of relief materials by Netravati Express.
Led by prominent personalities including Vinod Bhaskaran IRS and Rajan V. Nair, the 13-member volunteer team focused relief efforts in remote villages of Alappuzha and Thrissur districts. Traveling by boats and on foot, they provided direct assistance to more than 600 families across over 20 relief zones.
NEA — Beyond Educational Support
The Nanma Education Assistance (NEA) project goes beyond financial support for differently-abled children. The trust regularly organizes counseling sessions, arts and sports programs, and vocational training initiatives to improve their mental well-being and future self-employment opportunities.
Anyone can become part of this initiative through monthly contributions or by sponsoring a child’s complete educational expenses.
Employment Dreams for Tribal Youth Through Corporate Support
Nanma is now expanding its compassionate initiatives beyond Mumbai and Kerala into other metro cities. The next major mission is to provide skill development training for tribal youth and connect them with employment opportunities through CSR partnerships with leading corporate companies.
13 Years of Transparency — Join Hands with Nanma
Over the past 13 years, Nanma has directly supported more than 25,000 people. As the projects expand, greater financial participation is essential. Contributions made to Nanma are eligible for tax exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act. The trust maintains complete transparency through audited financial records.
People can support Nanma through:
- Financial contributions via bank transfer
- Donations of medicines, clothes, or educational materials
- Volunteering in the trust’s programs
For more information:
Phone: +91 9769232244
Email: nanmaindia@gmail.com
