#PeopleOfDonatekart: Meet Sarang Bobade

“I have always been attracted to jungles and forests — the wilderness gives me goosebumps. This has been my childhood — growing amidst greenery, wildlife, rivers and ponds in a small town of Maharashtra called Chandrapur. All this has taught me that our natural instincts come to the fore in times of adversity and shape our behaviours.

I had grown up listening to my dad talking very highly of Baba Amte, a social activist who had dedicated his life in the service of people with leprosy. My dad never turned anyone away who came for his help. Today, as I work to support thousands in the country, I feel proud and very satisfied. I had never thought that I would follow his footsteps.

But it was not supposed to be like this. I had gone to Kota to study and get enrolled in one of the prestigious engineering colleges. I was supposed to work in a MNC and earn a fat check. And I did all that, only to realise that this is not the purpose of my life.

However, the realisation didn’t dawn one fine day. It was a process. A painstakingly long process during which I lost some of my closest friends. I slowly started figuring out my leadership skills and the inspiring stories of other startup founders kept me awake at night. I was fascinated by the idea of how technology can be leveraged for social good and scale impact. I dared to dream even after many setbacks. I finally met Anil and Sandeep and Donatekart happened!

I am doing everything I love — working towards building innovative and sustainable solutions for global challenges. It fills my heart with pride and gratitude when I see youngsters dedicated towards the same cause.

A strict disciplinarian, my Aai always disapproved of how I used to study the night before exams and pass. Now the teachers in her school tell her : “Tumcha mulga chhaan karat aahe!” (Your son is doing so well for himself) and her smile says it all. This makes me really happy.

-Sarang Bobade, Co-founder & COO, Donatekart