Every year, India sees many visitors from across the world. Some come to experience the rich heritage of this diverse country, some come here in search of a spiritual journey, and some come here only to find that India isn’t what they imagined at all. Everyone who leaves, takes back plenty of memories and fascinating stories. However, there are those who find their solace and purpose in India, and stay back to do their bit for the country they now call home.
Here are 5 foreigners who work tirelessly to help hundreds in India, and continue to create an impact today:
1. Lynne Voggu: Lynne worked in investment management in Massachusetts before moving to India in 2000. Here, she met and married her husband, Dr. Ratnam Voggu. Lynne started Agape, a home for children orphaned by AIDS, in a small room with six helpless children in 2003, shortly after moving to India. Today, it has grown to house over 250 AIDS orphans across 7 different homes in the city of Hyderabad. Over the years, Lynne has managed to help several students find their independence and build a life of their own. She works tirelessly to give these children the respect and care they deserve.
2. Nandu Lal Joshi: American by birth, Nandu Lal Joshi was put in a gurukul in Vrindavan by his parents when he was younger. His guruji (teacher), Kurma Rupa Prabhu, born to Mexican parents, took care of cows until his demise in 2015. Today, Nandu Lal carries on his legacy and is taking care of over 300 cows and bulls at the sanctuary. He gives them free fodder, medical care and a place they can call home. Nandu Lal is dedicated to this cause and is doing everything he can to give injured, sick and abandoned cows a better life.
3. Deb Jarrett: Deb was 40 when she felt like she needed to do something to expand her horizons. She wanted to make a true contribution to the planet, and that took her from America to Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, where she spent several weeks volunteering at a preschool. One day she saw an injured dog lying in a temple where the lessons were held. Heartbroken and helpless, Deb didn’t know what to do. She happened to meet someone who could help her, and that was the moment Deb’s life changed. She saved the dog’s life and started Dharamsala Animal Rescue to raise awareness about the animals of Dharamsala. The organisation rescues, rehabilitates and feeds stray animals while also giving them the medical care they need. They have helped hundreds of animals through the years.
4. Courtney Lalotra: Courtney came to India in 2010 and fell in love with the country and its people. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, Courtney decided to stay back in India and moved into a slum in north Delhi to work with street and orphaned children. She was lovingly called ‘didi’ by everyone and continued working there until she decided to start Samarpan Trust. Through Samarpan Trust’s various projects, Courtney and her husband Yogesh help hundreds of children every day, because of which they’re given a safe home, basic essentials and access to good education.
5. Rupa Raghunath Das: 30 years ago, Pietro Paolinelli came to India from Italy with his Guru, as a part of the Hare Krishna Movement, when his life changed forever. Pietro, now known as Rupa Raghunath Das, dedicated his life to the service of Lord Krishna and knew he would spend his entire life serving the people of Vrindavan. He founded the Food For Life Vrindavan in 1991 and there’s been no looking back since then. Every evening for the last 30 years, Rupa Prabhuji has been feeding over 300 poor and hungry mothers and children.
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Cover image: Kishore Singh
