About Me
Born on 8th September in Aligarh, I have seen many phases in my life from being a successful corporate employ to fulfilling my dreams with NGOs. Let me give you a brief about my education, professional career, and passion. I completed my high school from Our Lady of Fatima Aligarh. Later I graduated from Aligarh Muslim University and pursued a PG Diploma in labour law at Indian Law Institute New Delhi. I also did MBA from IGNOU. Joined NTPC in 1982 as an Engineering Trainee in the 7th batch, working through the Engineering Department moved to P&A in 1991 as part of Job rotation (as I have completed my MBA as well). I also headed the Administration PAN INDIA for ABB.
I was Heading the Administration team, when I left NDPL (now TPDDL) in Sep 2008. I have also worked as an ex-national head sales support till the year 2013. Later in my life, in 2013. I got the opportunity to get associated with Udayan Care. As soon as Dr. Kiran Modi, the Managing Trustee of Udayan Care, gave the idea of taking up mentorship at Jagshanti home Greater Noida around January 2013, I jumped at the opportunity. After few months, I quit my job from a senior position in Tata Teleservices Limited and plunged headlong at Udayan Care Home at Greater Noida on 6th September 2013.
My life is sculpted by the principles “Learn, Earn, & Return”. This ethos eventually transitioned me from being a corporate worker to being engaged in full time community service, with each initiative echoing impact on society.
VISION
Economic independence for every girl.
MISSION
The mission is to strengthen & empower underprivileged girls through all the stages of life and to ensure that they receive love, care and a safe environment that will lead them to complete independence.
My BOOK
WINGS TO FLY
I published my memoir WINGS TO FLY in July 2022. The book is about my transformational journey from having an active corporate career till the age of 53 to that of my present role of being a Mentor father to children in need of care and protection. The book is full of stories and anecdotes, which I am sure the reader will find interesting.
ROLES
I have served in many roles during my corporate career. At present, I am a full-time volunteer at Udayan Care. I serve as a Trustee and a Fundraiser to the organisation. I am a Mentor Father to 40 girls at Udayan Care girls’ home in Greater Noida. It has been an interesting journey from being a part-time volunteer in 2009 to a Trustee since 2019. I also raise funds for’ Vigyanshaala’ which is primarily working to empower girls in the area of STEM education across India.
IMPACTFUL LEGACY AND VISION
- Over the years have been raising funds for the organization through my wide network both at corporate as well as at an individual level. In last three financial years, I have raised more than 5 crores for Udayan Care.
- I was the highest individual fundraiser in Vedanta Delhi Half Marathon 2023 having raised more than 10 lacs during the event.
- Rex Karmaveer Awardee (Silver Medal) instituted by ICONGO and the United Nations.
- Signatory to LivingMyPromise (www.livingmypromise.org).
- Won the Indian Glory Award 2024 for the “Best Social Worker of the year”.
- I also raise funds for Vigyanshaala which is primarily working to empower girls in the important area of STEM education across India.
NGO's I Connect With
Udayan is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘Eternal Sunrise’. Udayan Care aims to bring sunshine into the lives of underprivileged sections of society that require intervention. Registered in 1994 as a Public Charitable Trust, Udayan Care works to empower vulnerable children, women and youth, in 34 cities across 15 states of India.
DEEPAK SHARMA RECOMMENDS
Volunteering: I would strongly recommend people to enrol themselves as volunteers with organisations like Udayan Care, Teach for India, Vigyanshaala, etc. There are ample opportunities to share your time, knowledge, and skills with those who really need them.
Books: I am a voracious reader who prefers non-fictional books.I believe books are exceptional teachers and one can evolve to a great extent by reading them.
I recommend couple of my favourite books here:
- The Creation of Wealth by R M Lala
- The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi
- Wings of Fire by APJ Abdul Kalam
- India’s Railway Man: A Biography of E. Sreedharan by Rajendra B. Aklekar
Sports: When it comes to sports, playing cricket was my first passion and still is. Apart from that I play TT, Badminton, and Tennis. I am a fitness freak who walks 6-7 kms every morning for the last 30 years. I also participate in marathons like the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon. It is one of my favourite activities and I look forward to it every year. I recommend everyone to develop a habit of playing the sports they like. Make sure your body gets the ample physical activity it needs!
