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About Us

Opportunities for children, women, young people, families and communities

Roots2Rise Foundation is an initiative of NRI Multipurpose Society that works to create meaningful opportunities for children, women, young people, families and communities. It brings together education, health, nutrition, mental wellbeing, technology, cyber safety, sports, skills, culture and environmental sustainability through programmes, partnerships and community engagement.

The initiative is built on a simple belief: lasting social progress happens when people are supported as whole individuals and communities—not through isolated interventions alone.

Learning is stronger when children are healthy and emotionally supported. Women’s empowerment grows when education is connected with health, skills, financial awareness and digital access. Young people are better prepared for the future when they combine confidence, practical skills, responsible technology use and a sense of purpose.

Roots2Rise Foundation is an initiative of NRI Multipurpose Society, working to strengthen individuals and communities through integrated programmes in education, health, nutrition, women and child development, digital and cyber safety, mental wellbeing, sports, skills, culture and sustainability.

Our Story

Growing from the strength of our roots

Roots2Rise Foundation carries forward the social-development work of NRI Multipurpose Society with a wider, connected vision: to help people grow from the strength of their roots towards the possibilities of the future. The name reflects both continuity and aspiration—respect for values, culture and community, combined with the belief that every person should have access to learning, wellbeing, skills and opportunity.

Our approach begins with the understanding that social challenges rarely exist in isolation.

A child

A child may need learning support alongside nutrition awareness, emotional wellbeing and digital safety.

A woman

A woman’s ability to participate in economic life may depend on skills, financial knowledge, health awareness and access to technology.

A young person

A young person’s future may be shaped by career guidance, confidence, physical activity, responsible digital habits and practical experience.

Roots2Rise Foundation therefore seeks to connect these areas through collaborative, community-focused programmes that can be adapted to different settings and developed with appropriate partners.

Our Vision

A flourishing India, with dignity, resilience and opportunity

To build a compassionate, inclusive, empowered, educated, mentally and physically healthy, skilled, digitally responsible and sustainable India where every child, woman, young person and community can flourish with dignity, resilience and opportunity.

We envision communities where mental health is valued as an essential part of overall wellbeing; emotional support is accessible without stigma; children and young people can learn, grow and seek help safely; women and families are supported through life’s challenges; and people of every age have the knowledge, connections and opportunities to lead meaningful lives.

Our Mission

What we set out to do

  • 1 Support women and child development through education, awareness, skills and access to opportunity.
  • 2 Strengthen educational, health, nutrition and preventive-wellbeing awareness.
  • 3 Promote physical health, mental wellbeing and emotionally resilient communities.
  • 4 Build cyber-safe and digitally responsible communities through cyber security, cyber psychology and AI literacy.
  • 5 Encourage sports, youth participation, career planning, employability and entrepreneurship.
  • 6 Promote financial literacy, electoral literacy, menstrual hygiene and anti-drug awareness.
  • 7 Support Anganwadi development and early-childhood learning environments.
  • 8 Promote Indian culture, heritage, environmental sustainability, renewable-energy awareness and SDG-oriented initiatives.
  • 9 Support NRI children living or studying in India through educational orientation, cultural connection and community engagement.
  • 10 Build meaningful partnerships across government, semi-government, corporate, CSR, academic, professional and community ecosystems.

Our Values

What guides everything we do

Dignity

Every person deserves respect, inclusion and the opportunity to participate.

Empowerment

Support should build knowledge, confidence, agency and practical capability.

Integrity

Communicate responsibly, protect trust and publish only verified information.

Collaboration

Complex challenges require people and institutions to work together.

Learning

Programmes should evolve through feedback, evidence and reflection.

Inclusion

Seek to make opportunities accessible across age groups and community contexts.

Responsibility

Use technology, resources and partnerships thoughtfully.

Sustainability

Aim for benefits that can continue beyond a single event or activity.

How We Work

From listening to lasting change

  1. 1 1

    Listen and understand

    Engage communities and partners to identify needs, barriers and available strengths.

  2. 2 2

    Design for relevance

    Set objectives, define beneficiaries, select suitable activities and identify qualified delivery partners.

  3. 3 3

    Mobilise collaboration

    Bring together institutions, experts, volunteers, CSR partners and community stakeholders.

  4. 4 4

    Deliver responsibly

    Implement activities with attention to safety, inclusion, consent and professional boundaries.

  5. 5 5

    Measure and learn

    Track participation, outputs, feedback and meaningful outcomes using appropriate methods.

  6. 6 6

    Improve and sustain

    Use learning to refine programmes, strengthen local ownership and explore responsible scaling.

Shilpa Agrawal

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The Vision Behind Our Work

Meet the Founder

Shilpa Agrawal

Founder / Strategic & Knowledge Leadership

Shilpa Agrawal is the visionary force behind Roots2Rise Foundation, driven by a deep desire to create meaningful change and make a lasting impact on society. Guided by empathy, compassion, and a strong sense of purpose, she chose the path of social entrepreneurship to transform her vision into action. She believes that every individual deserves dignity, opportunity, and the chance to thrive. Through Roots2Rise Foundation, she aspires to empower communities, nurture mental well-being, and create sustainable social change. Her leadership reflects the belief that even the smallest act of kindness can plant the seeds of a better tomorrow.

Our Team

Leadership

Prof. Raakesh Kriplani, Treasurer, Roots2Rise India

Prof. Raakesh Kriplani

Treasurer

Strategic & Knowledge Leadership

Portrait

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Shilpa Agrawal

President

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Portrait

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Anupama Kriplani

Trustee

Cultural Strategist & Director, CIIPS

Portrait

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Ajay Agrawal

Secretary

Venture Capitalist · Business & Strategic Development

Rooted in Values. Rising through Opportunity.

Educate  |  Empower  |  Build a Better Tomorrow