PUNIT ASTHANA, AGRA

CATEGORY: GENDER EQUALITY

Punit Asthana is the founder and president of Indian Dreams Foundation (IDF), an Agrabased NGO.

Punit believes he can solve the problem of illiteracy by giving more adolescent girls access to education. He says, “Educating girls is the most powerful and effective way to address global poverty. Educated women are more likely to educate their own children – ending the cycle of illiteracy in one generation.” The loss of his father at the age of 10 was the turning point for Punit. He established an advertising agency but later he realised that his life had another purpose. His instinctual need to help fellow humans reflects in the steady path of progress and growth that IDF has followed since its inception. He strives to provide better future to girls and help them achieve gender equality through education and empowerment. His dedication and self motivation towards gender equality is bringing lot of changes in the society. IDF has been awarded ‘special consultative status’ by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. The organisation serves as consultants to the UN on many of its programmes, especially those related to the millennium development goals, eight international goals aimed at eradicating poverty in the developing world.

Punit is also passionate about making short films on gender issues. He has directed and produced many social films under the banner of Indian Dreams Foundation. Punit’s organisation has been working in more than 20 slums and 15 schools of Agra and reaches more than 4,000 girls and women through education and health programmes.