Sushma Singhvi: Building Futures Through Education and Empathy

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

At 72, Sushma Singhvi, Founder President of Gunjan Foundation, continues to prove that purpose knows no retirement. With 21 years of dedicated service in the social sector, she has empowered over 2,300 children and young adults through education, scholarships, and mentorship. Her work is rooted in a simple yet powerful belief: “Education is the most powerful tool to bring about lasting change.”

A Childhood Dream to Make a Difference

From an early age, Sushma Singhvi felt a calling to serve society. “I always believed that even a small act of support can uplift a life,” she says. This empathy, combined with a conviction that education transforms not just individuals but entire communities, set the course of her life’s work.

In 2004, she established Gunjan Foundation as a modest effort to help children from marginalized families access schooling. Over time, this mission evolved into structured scholarship programs—Gunjan–Sashakt for school education and Gunjan–Utkarsh for higher studies—both with a special focus on empowering girls.

Lessons from Family and a Father’s Belief

Sushma credits her parents as her greatest role models. “Their values, compassion, and unwavering commitment to helping others shaped me,” she reflects. Her father’s advice—“Dream big and you will achieve your dreams through hard work. Don’t let hurdles dishearten and successes spoil”—became the foundation of her leadership philosophy.

This belief guided her through a journey where fulfillment came not from personal milestones, but from enabling others to thrive. Each student who completed school, each young adult who found dignified work, became a milestone more meaningful than any accolade.

Transforming Lives, One Student at a Time

Under Sushma’s leadership, Gunjan Foundation has touched thousands of lives. Children of daily wage earners, rickshaw pullers, security guards, and domestic workers have received the support they needed to stay in school, graduate, and secure jobs. Through Gunjan–Utkarsh, many students have pursued degrees in engineering, medicine, law, and management, going on to join leading companies such as Wipro and L&T Technology Services.

“Watching shy girls grow into confident college students or young boys from modest backgrounds begin careers in reputed firms is deeply fulfilling,” Sushma says. “When a parent tells me, ‘Because of Gunjan, my child has a future,’ that is my true measure of success.”

Challenges That Strengthened the Mission

The path, however, has never been easy. Sushma built Gunjan Foundation without corporate backing, choosing to grow it step by step through persistence and personal commitment. In the early years, earning the trust of families was difficult. Parents, particularly from conservative or economically fragile backgrounds, often withdrew their daughters from school for early marriage or domestic work.

Convincing these families that education was not just important but transformative required endless dialogue and community engagement. Over time, attitudes began to shift—and many of those same daughters are now educated, independent young women inspiring others.

Financial constraints were another hurdle. Without the resources of large foundations, Sushma relied on discipline, credibility, and transparent operations to raise funds. She also took great care to ensure scholarships went only to students who genuinely belonged to economically weaker sections, a process requiring both fairness and compassion.

“Challenges have shaped our mission,” she says. “Each obstacle pushed us to think more creatively, connect more deeply, and grow more responsibly.”

Guided by Values That Never Waver

Empathy, integrity, discipline, and perseverance define Sushma Singhvi’s approach. These values have ensured that Gunjan Foundation’s work is transparent and sustainable. “Trust is the foundation of everything we do,” she explains. “And trust comes from honesty and consistency.”

Her discipline—whether in managing time, maintaining standards, or staying focused despite difficulties—has been key to sustaining the Foundation for over two decades. And her perseverance has kept her moving forward, no matter how heavy the challenges.

Recognition That Reflects Real Impact

Over the years, Gunjan Foundation’s work has earned several honors, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from IWLA, recognition among India’s Top 10 Most Impactful NGOs by Brand Honchos, and a Gold Category Certificate of Excellence from Give Foundation for transparency and impact. In 2018, the Shabd Nagari Organization listed it among Delhi’s Top 10 NGOs, and in 2025, LBB Delhi NCR recognized it among the Top 20 NGOs making a difference in society.

While these accolades are deeply meaningful, Sushma sees them as affirmations rather than endpoints. “The real reward is when a student succeeds or a family begins to believe in education. That’s the honor I cherish the most.”

A Vision to Expand and Empower

As Gunjan Foundation marks two decades, Sushma’s goals are clear: strengthen the Gunjan–Sashakt and Gunjan–Utkarsh programs, expand support to underserved regions beyond Delhi, Jaipur, and Ahmedabad, and build a self-sustaining ecosystem that nurtures students both financially and emotionally.

“My long-term dream is to see every child we support become an empowered, responsible individual who contributes meaningfully to society,” she says.

Advice for Young Women: Dream Big, Stay Strong

To the next generation, Sushma Singhvi’s message is straightforward:

“Believe in yourself—even when others don’t. Education is your strongest foundation. Be confident in your voice, stay curious, and never stop learning. Don’t let marriage end your dreams. Remain financially independent and true to your identity. Surround yourself with people who uplift you, but also learn to be your own support system. Most of all, dream big—and work even harder to make those dreams real.”

A Life Lived for Others

Quoting Gandhi, Einstein, and Zinn, Sushma Singhvi often says: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Her journey with Gunjan Foundation proves that when empathy meets discipline, even modest beginnings can create profound, lasting change.

At 72, she remains as committed as ever to ensuring that no child is denied education due to circumstance. For her, service is not a chapter of life—it is the story itself.