Spotlight on Optimism

A spotlight on positive projects and optimistic people for a brighter future.

  • Earth Day 2023



      “I do have reasons for hope: our clever brains, the resilience of nature, the indomitable human spirit, and above all, the commitment of young p...

  • Follow Up in 2023 - Spotlight On Women Around The World



      Women’s History Month is an opportunity to honor the powerful and inspiring stories of women from all over the world. You will remember Rona f...

  • Love, Light and Gratitude - Wishing you a sparkling Festival of Lights



     Photo: Nina Luong  This time of the year across India and its diaspora we celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance,...

  • Spotlight on International Day of the Girl



      More about Dasra Philanthropy Forum The world wasn’t working for girls before 2020. It definitely isn’t working now. 20 million Girls may neve...

  • Giving back is at the heart of everything we do



    We started an initiative earlier this year, where we supported children in the poorest districts of Mumbai with their school fees so that they coul...

  • #CelebrateMom #2 - Salma's Story



    With Mothers Day around the corner, we wanted to put a spotlight on some of the moms part of The Essentials Story and with everything going on ri...

  • #CelebrateMom - Saranga's Story



    During Mother's Day earlier this year, we asked some colleagues to give us a window into their lives at the height of the pandemic and what life ...

  • We are so excited about launching our new collection, The Olive Edition



      "You didn't come into this world. You came out of it, like a wave from the ocean." Alan Watts During the last year we felt connected l...
    Posted in Spotlight Series

  • Interview with Sangeetha Vadanan - Associate Director, Fundraising & Donor Partnerships of SNEHA



    Sangeetha Vadanan of Sneha Mumbai sharing the realities on the ground and answering some of the following poignant questions: - What is it like l...
    Posted in Essentials 101 Series

  • Interview with Deval Sanghavi – Co Founder & Partner of Dasra India



    Salma Merchant Rahmathulla from The Essentials Story: How bad are things & what have been some of the repercussions you are seeing when it comes to Education, Child Marriage & Child Trafficking.

    Deval Sanghavi from Dasra India: Poverty rates have increased by 15-20% across India, resulting in prolonged challenges to so many areas with no relief in sight. 

    Posted in Spotlight Series

  • Our Sustainability Manifesto



    Posted in Spotlight Series

  • Spotlight on Extraordinary Women - Meet Dr Bahar Mojgani, Emergency Medicine Physician



    Meet Dr Bahar Mojgani, an Emergency Medicine Physician and Co-Chair of Disaster Management in San Jose , California. When news of Covid-19 spread ...
    Posted in Spotlight Series