Founder of Innocent Heroes Foundation Sheetal Kharka tells Tania Roy about the music album Ek Nayi Umeed that the kids have come up with, and the other areas of work her non-profit organisation is focussing on

For the past five years, Sheetal Kharka and her Pune-based non-profit organisation Innocent Heroes Foundation (IHF) has been relentlessly helping underprivileged children realise their dreams. Giving scholarships to deserving and exceptional candidates for higher education, honing the talent of those who show an inclination towards performing or fine arts, and guiding and training children who are good at sports, the foundation believes in making ‘heroes’ by ensuring that kids from economically-backward families get the exposure and opportunity they truly deserve.

An MBA in sales and marketing, Kharka has 13 years of corporate experience in very senior positions. She still offers equity fundraising advice to corporates, but her primary focus is her social entrepreneurship venture — IHF.

“We work closely with various NGOs and child-related institutions (across Maharashtra) that provide basic needs of shelter, nutrition and education. We take the basic curriculum a step forward by providing training to the kids and giving them a platform to showcase their creativity and talent, subsequently providing them with alternative career options in sports, art, culture, music, adventure, dance, photography, acting, singing and so on. You cannot expect every child to be good in academics, which is why they need to explore other career avenues,” points out Kharka.

Tapping talent

Talking about her NPO and how she has succeeded in shaping confident individuals, Kharka says, “Recently, we have come up with a music album titled Ek Nayi Umeed, which is all about hope and determination. Our little heroes from various NGOs like Asha, BSSK, and Maher (Pune), Anadan (Alandi), Utkarsh Balgram (Baramati) and Samparc (Lonavala) have worked hard for this album. It was amazing to see all the 13 kids, aged between 11 and 17 years, transform into confident singers.”

Initially, the kids were shy and nervous, and did not know how to hold the microphone nor were they comfortable in the studio environs, shares Kharka. But in less than three months, their entire personality and attitude underwent a huge makeover. Today, the kids are more focussed, have greater clarity of thought and self-esteem, and have emerged as confident individuals, which is indeed encouraging.

The children made a trip to Mumbai to meet eminent singer-lyricist-music director Shankar Mahadevan who has sung the title song for the album. Mahadevan interacted with the talented youngsters and motivated them.

Last week, the children performed at a concert in Pune and Kharka is looking forward to releasing Ek Nayi Umeed in August. “I am looking for corporates and individuals who can offer sponsorships for the music album. We want their voices to reach out to millions,” she says.

Sharing another success story, Kharka says, “One of our kids, Shubhangi, is learning Kathak for the past three years. We have been sponsoring her training till now. From this August, she will be going for intensive training at Kathak Kendra in New Delhi. For Shubhangi’s training, we have tied up with a Singapore-based performing arts centre that sponsors underprivileged children.”

Cricket team

IHF also has its own cricket team — under 16 and under 19 players. “Our boys will be playing Maharashtra League matches soon,” assures Kharka. Initially, IHF hired a coach to train the youngsters. The Maharashtra Cricket Association also extended their help. Today, 25 boys, who play regularly, are part of the IHF cricket team. IHF sponsors transport, equipment, sporting gear and uniform for the boys.

“They have superb management and coordination skills, and are self-sufficient. When there is a tournament, I just need to inform the boys and they get their act together. It’s heartening to see them so focussed and dedicated,” shares Kharka and adds, “But it’s also important to tell them that it’s a competitive world out there and not everyone will make it big and be an exceptional cricketer! So, they need to look at other career options like a coach, a sports teacher, an umpire and so on.”

Higher education

IHF has also been sponsoring deserving underprivileged students who have appeared for the 12th Boards or graduation. “The criterion for sponsoring a student is that s/he must show a strong desire and determination to pursue higher education. We are mostly sponsoring students who are pursuing engineering or medicine,” says Kharka.

It’s only after meeting the student and evaluating her/ his academic records that IHF decides to extend its support and offer financial assistance. “We don’t give money to the candidate but pay the fees directly to the college,” adds Kharka.