Youth group serves humanity by educating underprivileged kids

Driven by the Sikh principle of donating a tenth of one’s income to serving humanity, four young individuals founded an organisation, Initiators of Change, nearly a decade ago. What began as a small initiative has today evolved into a vibrant youth-led movement spread across eight branches in the northern part of the country, with volunteers aged between 16 and 22 working tirelessly to uplift underprivileged children.

Gauravdeep Singh, Chairman of Initiators of Change, told The Tribune that the organisation now comprises hundreds of dedicated volunteers. “We function entirely on donations from good Samaritans. No financial assistance has ever been taken from the government,” he said.

Initiators of Change is non-profit organisation that was founded in 2015 in Ludhiana by four passionate teenagers— Gauravdeep Singh, his sister Harsleen Kaur, and their close friends Sifti Bhatia and Japjeet Kaur. What began as a modest effort to inspire youth leadership and promote community service has today evolved into a nationwide movement with over 3,500 active volunteers and eight chapters across India. The organisation has also expanded internationally, with its co-founders now leading efforts in Canada. Today it’s a national charitable trust being led by seven youngsters from Ludhiana. The group has conducted multiple surveys across rural and urban Punjab to assess the educational needs of children. In 2019, the organisation signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Krishan Kumar, who was overseeing school education at the time. Volunteers initially began offering skill-based education during school hours, but with limited time due to mainstream academic schedules, the initiative transitioned into evening schools.

Initiators of Change now runs three free evening schools — in Phullanwal village, LIG flats Dugri (Ludhiana) and Chander Vihar (Delhi). These schools provide free education to around 150 underprivileged students, covering all expenses for books, bags, stationery and teacher support.

The organisation is also deeply involved in promoting mental health and socio-political awareness among young people. Its ongoing “Mann Mela” campaign conducts mental health sessions and awareness programmes in schools and colleges across the state throughout the year.

For its impactful work, Initiators of Change has been honoured with the National Youth Award by the Government of India in 2018 and the District Award in 2019.

According to Chairman Gauravdeep Singh, the core message of the organisation lies in its belief in the power of young minds. “We focus on the age group of 16 to 25 — an age often underestimated, yet filled with potential. By providing a platform for youth to ideate, lead and serve, we not only transform communities but also nurture a generation of confident, responsible leaders.”

Beyond education, the organisation has also played a pivotal role in civic engagement by enrolling hundreds of first time voters across the country.