Ankit Chadha Foundation has been established in memory of Ankit Chadha by his family, to support the causes he held dear to his heart.
Ankit was not only a highly acclaimed writer and storyteller, but also a true humanitarian. He created and narrated stories about historical personalities like Kabir, Amir Khusrau, Dara Shikoh, Gandhi, Majaaz Lakhnavi and Abdur Rahim, to spread the message of peace, love, harmony and greatness of humankind. His sense of social responsibility encouraged him to work with regional and global non-profits including the United Nations, Aga Khan Trust, Ford Foundation and Seeds of Peace.
Ankit believed that everybody has a story and they must tell it, age being no bar for it. However, he took a special interest in grooming children in the art of storytelling right from their early stage of life. This led him to work on Dastangoi performances for children, adapting classics including Alice in Wonderland, The Phantom Tollbooth, and The Little Prince. He also went ahead to author two National award-winning children’s books – ‘My Gandhi Story’ and ‘Amir Khusrau – The Man in Riddles’. Ankit’s passion for working with children was also recognized and acknowledged when he was invited as a Speaker/Performer on Children’s literature at the Jaipur Lit Fest, Bookaroo (Srinagar) and Kahaani Festival.
The Foundation has been started keeping in mind such beliefs of Ankit and how his heart would go out for those in need – those with any kind of disability, particularly children. It was Ankit’s desire to enable underprivileged children to get quality education, and to empower children with any physical disability to lead an autonomous dignified life. Ankit Chadha Foundation is working towards providing resources for such children, thus fulfilling Ankit’s wishes.
In this regard, the Foundation is already supporting Jamghat – A Group of Street Children, an NGO that seeks to rehabilitate street children, with whatever limited means available currently. The Foundation has also posthumously published ‘Toh Hazreen Hua Yun… Dastan-e-Ankit Chadha’, a collection of 16 unique dastans/stories written and performed by Ankit during his lifetime. Artists and storytellers are welcome to perform on these stories and support the Foundation. Needless to say, the proceeds from the sale of Ankit’s books are being channeled to various charities through the Foundation. Additionally, in line with Ankit’s passion to promote and encourage young talent, the Foundation is designing workshops for schools and colleges to enable the students create their own powerful stories. The Foundation is also trying to collaborate with literature festivals and other events Ankit had been associated with in the past, to take his work forward.
Essentially, Ankit Chadha Foundation is being run and managed by the support of Ankit’s close friends and collaborators who wish to keep his name and memory alive for years to come.
To become part of our Foundation or to contribute in any way, please write to us at ankitchadhafoundation@gmail.com.