About us
We started with 32 children in one village. We haven't stopped since.
Our story
Aarambh means beginning.
In 2014, a development economist and a school teacher opened a two-room bridge school in Sitapur district. The idea was simple: children who had dropped out needed a way back in, and their families needed a reason to let them go. Twelve years later, that idea runs 22 projects across 8 districts — and every one of them still begins with a conversation in a village.
Mission
Enable rural families to lift themselves through education, health and dignified livelihoods.
Vision
A Uttar Pradesh where no child's future is decided by the village they were born in.
Values
Dignity first. Community-led. Radically transparent.
Journey
Twelve years, one village at a time
2014
Founded in Lucknow with a single bridge school in Sitapur — 32 children.
2016
First health camp. 80G and 12A registration.
2018
Women's Livelihood Centre opens. 10 SHGs formed.
2020
COVID relief: 18,000 ration kits distributed in 60 days.
2022
FCRA registration. First corporate CSR partnership (HDFC Bank).
2024
Mobile Health Van Unit 1 launched. 20,000 lives reached in a year.
2026
ImpactOS adopted — every donor, volunteer, vendor and beneficiary on one platform.
The team
Led from the field, not from an office
Most of our 87 staff live in the districts they serve. These are a few of the people who make the numbers move.
Arjun Mehta
Executive Director
Former development economist; founded Aarambh in 2014 after a decade with rural livelihood programs.
Kavita Rao
Director of Programs
18 years designing education and health programs across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Meera Iyer
Finance Manager
Chartered Accountant. Keeps our program spend ratio above 90% and our audits spotless.
Vikram Singh
Program Manager
Leads 34 field staff across 8 districts. Grew up in Sitapur.
Sneha Kulkarni
Communications Lead
Tells the stories behind the numbers. Ex-journalist.
Priya Nair
Field Coordinator
The face of Aarambh in Sitapur. Enrolled 400+ children herself.
Governance you can inspect
Registered as a Section 8 company with 12A, 80G, FCRA and CSR-1 approvals. Board of seven independent trustees. Audited by Walker Chandiok & Co.