The Story Of Vipul Jain And The Movement Called Asha Ki Kiran

In a world where the marginalized often remain unseen and the poor are reduced to statistics, there are individuals who work on solving problems for them. Vipul Jain is a young social reformer from Kanpur, who didn’t inherit privilege, nor did he wait for permission to act. Instead, he saw the problems faced by the poor and worked on finding solutions. It began as a solitary act of kindness during the days of the COVID-19 pandemic and has now grown into a movement known as Asha Ki Kiran that provides sanctuary and a second chance for hundreds of underprivileged lives.

The journey began in 2020, when the world was locked indoors and the cry for help in India’s slums became more prominent. Vipul, then only in his early twenties, was deeply moved by the plight of daily wage earners, those who were financially dependent on daily work but suddenly didn’t have means to survive. Along with a few close friends, he began distributing ration kits in the slum areas of Kanpur. There was no grand plan, no institutional backing, only the instinctive human urge to help.

It was during these relief efforts that he noticed the children. Bright-eyed, barefoot, and burdened by circumstances not of their making, they roamed the streets idle and ignored. School had always been a luxury for them and now even that thin thread of hope had vanished. Vipul sat down with a few of these children, pulled out some rough pages and pencils, and began to teach. That humble act, beneath the open sky in the parking area of his own apartment in Kakadev, marked the birth of Asha Ki Kiran, meaning A Ray of Hope.

From a handful of slum children to now teaching hundreds of children across many centers, Asha Ki Kiran has steadily expanded its efforts in education. The organization today provides free evening education to children who are otherwise left behind by the mainstream system. These children are also supported in gaining admission to formal schools, ensuring that learning continues both in the morning and evening. They are also provided encouragement and guidance at every step, along with education material.

But Asha Ki Kiran is not just about teaching alphabets. It also focuses on supporting overall development. On Saturdays, children engage in art, craft, music, and storytelling, providing opportunities for creativity that is often limited by challenging circumstances. On Sundays, children attend karate and yoga classes that help develop mental resilience and self-confidence. These sessions offer them space to express themselves, imagine new possibilities, and build self-assurance.

Behind this impact is a dedicated team of paid educators and tireless volunteers, many of whom are students and professionals who spend their evenings contributing to this cause. Their motivation isn’t financial. It’s found in the eyes of a child solving her first math problem, in the laughter during a drawing session, or in the quiet voice of a boy who says for the first time, “I want to be a doctor.”

Asha Ki Kiran is also deeply rooted in the belief that transformation must touch all corners of the family unit. Thus, the foundation also works for women empowerment, training women in stitching, embroidery, and handmade craft-making. These products are sold through local exhibitions and stalls, helping women who were once financially dependent turn into earners. It’s not just about income, it offers them a sense of dignity and independence.

The foundation’s efforts have gained recognition and acknowledgement over time. With over 100,000 followers on Instagram, Asha Ki Kiran has built a community that extends beyond Kanpur. Donations, collaborations with schools, awareness campaigns, and high-profile visits have steadily strengthened its reach. But for Vipul, the true success lies in the stories, the girl who went from rag-picking to a classroom, the boy who escaped child labour and now teaches others, and the woman who stitched her way out of silence into self-respect.

Vipul dreams of opening more centers and building free schools across India so that no child is left uneducated. He envisions a future where every child, regardless of where they’re born, has access to quality education, creative growth, and emotional safety. Plans are underway to launch a mobile app and website to document and celebrate acts of kindness, making social service a visible, celebrated part of society. He also recently started Sunday Community Clubs, open public gatherings where people of all ages come together for yoga, games, meditation, and storytelling. These are spaces where people can recover, connect, and find reassurance in shared humanity.

What stands out in Vipul Jain’s story is not its scale, but its purpose. At a time when many pursue success, he chose to focus on making a meaningful difference. In a society numbed by injustice, he tries to bring empathy.

Asha Ki Kiran is more than an NGO. It is a movement driven by compassion, determination, and the belief that no child is too poor to deserve a future. It reminds us that change doesn’t always require wealth — it requires will.

In the end, people often seek direction and support. For some in Kanpur and nearby areas, Asha Ki Kiran has become a part of that support system.

Website - https://ashakikiranfoundation.org/

Instagram - @ashakikiranfoundation