Our Story: Helping children study to build a better future.
Aaghaz Foundation is a non-profit founded in 2004 in Lucknow. We support talented students across India through scholarships, verified financial aid, mentorship and community learning centres.
What started with ₹2,000 and one student
Aaghaz Foundation was started in Lucknow in 2004 by journalist Mazhar Farooqui and a group of friends after seeing children in his neighbourhood out of school because their families could not afford the fees.
From Lucknow to 22 States
There was no larger plan at the time. More students came forward, more people offered to help, and the work gradually spread beyond Lucknow. Today, Aaghaz has supported more than 65,000 students across 22 states, studying in more than 550 schools and colleges.
Aaghaz is now supported by Indians from different backgrounds, including many living overseas who want to contribute to education back home.
“One person may not be able to support ten students. But ten people can come together to support one. That is how Aaghaz started, and that is how it has grown.”— Mazhar Farooqui, Founder
Graduates Giving Back
We believe education is an important part of nation-building. Helping a student complete school or college gives them a better chance of becoming independent and contributing to the country.
More than 350 Aaghaz-supported students have become doctors, engineers and lawyers, while many others have built careers in different fields and returned as donors, mentors and volunteers.
Behind every story, a team
Mazhar Farooqui
Mazhar Farooqui aka Maz is an award-winning investigative journalist and author who founded Aaghaz in Lucknow in 2004 after seeing children in his neighbourhood out of school because their families could not afford their education.
He started with ₹2,000 and one student. More than two decades later, Mazhar remains closely involved with Aaghaz and personally reviews student verification reports before financial assistance is approved.
During a journalism career spanning more than 25 years in India and the UAE, Mazhar has become known for investigations into fraud, crime and financial wrongdoing. His work has received several awards and has led to action against individuals and companies investigated in his reports. He is the author of The Maz Files: Scoops, Scams and Showdowns and the founder of Check First Intel, a Dubai-based due diligence and risk intelligence firm.
What began as a small effort among friends has since grown into a network of donors, volunteers and former students supporting education across India.
Our Volunteer Network
Volunteers have been at the beating heart of Aaghaz since 2004. Operating across dozens of towns and cities in India, they conduct independent home surveys, verify school fee credentials, mentor scholars, and manage grassroots learning centres.
Remarkably, many former Aaghaz scholars who completed their degrees have returned as volunteers and donors—ensuring the next generation receives the same life-changing opportunity.
Stories From Aaghaz
Meet some of the students we have supported and read about the people and work behind Aaghaz.
There was a time when completing my law degree seemed very difficult because I simply did not have the financial means. I received support throughout my five-year course, including a monthly stipend, and even help with medical treatment when I fell ill. I was able to finish my studies and become an advocate. It was a dream I had worked towards for years, and today I am living it.
Becoming a doctor was my dream, but getting through medical college required far more than ambition. I received support throughout my MBBS for college and hostel fees, books and even my monthly expenses. That meant I could concentrate on my studies instead of constantly worrying about how the next fee would be paid. Today, I am a doctor working in paediatric surgery at Medical College Kolkata.
I received the Coding Ninjas course through Aaghaz at a stage when I wanted to improve my coding but did not have access to the kind of training I needed. The course helped me build both my skills and confidence. I recently received a Software Engineer offer of around ₹23 LPA. For me, that offer is much more than a salary package. It shows how far I have been able to come.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Aaghaz Foundation, how we support students, how donations work and how you can get involved.
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Help a child finish school this year.
Many children in India still do not get the chance to go to school. While we cannot solve this big problem overnight, we can change a child's life one at a time. Your donation will help one child stay in school. Start helping today.