Avantika and Nandita Rao

About Me

My name is Nandita Rao, and my association with Chirag Rural Development Foundation spans over a decade—from student and volunteer to fundraiser and now a donor. While my roles have changed, the feeling hasn’t. Every time I step into a village and help light up a home, I still get goosebumps.

Installing solar lights is more than an activity—it’s an experience that humbles me, inspires me, and restores my faith in humanity. This year, I return to TMM 2026 with my 14-month-old daughter by my side, fundraising to pass on the values of compassion, purpose, and hope to the next generation.

Appeal

This TMM 2026, my 14-month-old daughter Avantika and I are raising funds to light up an Anganwadi in the Kondiwadi block of the Karjat belt, rural Maharashtra—a space where young children take their very first steps toward learning, health, and hope.

Anganwadis are vital for the care and development of children aged 0–6 years, as well as for supporting pregnant and lactating mothers. With your support, this Anganwadi will be equipped with a 1 kW solar power system, lights, a fan, a Smart TV for learning, a wall-mounted library, and toys for early development, at an approximate cost of INR 1,62,000.

Every contribution will help bring light, learning, and opportunity to rural children—shaping brighter futures from the very beginning.

Please support Chirag Rural Development Foundation (CRDF) through the Tata Mumbai Marathon platform and be part of this journey of change. All donations are eligible for 50% tax exemption under Section 80G.

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