Our Story

I’m Charu Gupta, and I was born and raised in Alwar, a small town in India

Growing up, I was fortunate to receive a great upbringing, access to the best education, and a comfortable life. I was shielded from the poverty that had afflicted earlier generations of my family, thanks to the hard work of my relatives who worked tirelessly to lift us out of poverty. However, amidst this privilege, I always felt a strong sense of compassion for those less fortunate.

Whether it was visiting orphanages and being deeply moved by the condition of the children there, or having heartfelt conversations with our household staff about their struggles, I couldn’t shake the feeling of gratitude for the life I’d been given. This natural empathy drove me to find ways to improve the lives of others.

One pivotal moment came during my MBA studies when I experienced an inner calling – a realization that there was more to life than what I was doing. This led me to connect with various NGOs, where we did grassroots work. My experiences at these NGOs further deepened my desire to make a meaningful difference.

I remember discussing the concept of “Gharonda” (a Hindi word for home) with a dear friend, envisioning a home with happy families, smiling children, and joyful faces all around. Rather than offering temporary assistance, I wanted to enable individuals to build better lives for themselves – a vision that grew clearer with time.

Despite leading a very comfortable life in the United States – marrying the love of my life, building a thriving career, and being blessed with two beautiful daughters—I couldn’t ignore the persistent pull of that inner calling. It took me fifteen years to gather the courage to act on it. Although I had attempted to begin similar initiatives before, they ended up feeling like commercial ventures rather than meaningful endeavors. The words of a family member resonated: “You are well-equipped. If you can’t do it, then who will?”

With renewed determination, I decided to take a two-month trip to India with my 3-year-old daughter to turn my dream into reality. As I embark on this new chapter, I am grateful for the support of my husband, family and friends, for the opportunities ahead, and I am inspired and determined to create positive change in the world around me.

Meerahi is named after my two daughters, Meera and Maahi, who continue to inspire me every day.