A Registered Trust — Indian Trusts Act, 1882 · Donations exempt under Sec. 80G
In Service of Those Who Served
Indian Bravehearts is a not-for-profit trust devoted to the welfare, rehabilitation and wellbeing of the entire armed-forces fraternity — all personnel under the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Home Affairs, serving and retired, including veterans, battle casualties, war widows, orphans and their families.
Lighting Up Futures in Kashmir
Right now, just kilometres from the Line of Control, we are equipping the classrooms of Kashmir’s border villages — educating children and empowering women where it matters most. This is our flagship mission, and it is happening today.
“When you go home, tell them of us and say — for your tomorrow, we gave our today.”The soldier's epitaph
Indian Bravehearts is a not-for-profit NGO registered under The Indian Trusts Act, 1882, and a proud initiative of an Army officer. We envision the welfare, rehabilitation and wellbeing of the Indian Bravehearts fraternity — all armed forces of the Union under the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Home Affairs, both serving and retired — including the veterans, battle casualties, war widows, orphans and their families.
Through this platform our endeavour is to create awareness in society about their specific issues and problems, to garner support from all quarters for their inclusive growth and the resolution of their difficulties, and to coordinate and synergize the humanitarian efforts for this community. We also seek to provide a cohesive platform for those doing well within the fraternity to care for the deprived — irrespective of religion, caste and status, a hallmark of the Forces.
A famous adage reminds us why this work matters: we must render assistance, in whatever way possible, for the families of the martyrs, the war widows, and the aged and infirm veterans. It is now that they require our care and support to live their today.
The challenges faced by the armed-forces fraternity are unlike those of any other profession, arising from the very nature of the duties they perform. Understanding them is the first step toward standing with these families.
Beyond the obvious risk from enemy action, terrorism and internal-security duties, soldiers face hazards the public rarely sees — death and injury during intensive training, in avalanches, high-altitude pulmonary edema and frostbite, and from live-ammunition and weapon-system failures. The stress of soldiering and early retirement leave many with a reduced life span of just 57–62 years, well below the national average.
Isolation and even hallucinations on remote posts along the LoC and at high altitude, the mental stress of being cut off from family, and the inability to take leave due to unit commitments take a heavy toll — at times leading to suicide, fratricide or desertion.
Prolonged separation due to field postings, shortage of married accommodation, and constant operational alerts mean families often fend for themselves. Frequent transfers disrupt children’s schooling and prospects, the financial burden of running two establishments mounts, and the life of a young widow is made harder still by the absence of administrative support.
Unlike most government service, retirement in the forces is by length of service, not age — a Sepoy retires at about 35, a Havildar at 40, a Colonel at 54. Many must seek a second career while still raising children and settling a home, often without the qualifications the civilian market demands.
Indian Bravehearts was built by people who have lived the life it serves — a soldier who spent a career on the nation’s hardest frontiers, and an officer’s wife who has carried the story of the fraternity’s families to stages across the country and the world.
Colonel DK DassFounder TrusteeColonel DK Dass is, in his own words, a “Fauji to the Core.” Born into a defence family — his father an Air Force officer — he was schooled at the Rashtriya Military School, Bangalore. After graduating from Delhi University he was commissioned into the Indian Army as a Gunner (Artillery), retiring as a Colonel after a demanding career on the nation’s hardest frontiers: Sikkim on the China border, the icy heights of Siachen, the volatile Line of Control, and the terrorism-hit Kupwara sector of the Kashmir Valley — along with a tenure at the Directorate General of Quality Assurance, Ministry of Defence.
After the Army, he became an accomplished Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Delhi South Metropolitan, devoting two decades to social and welfare projects for the underprivileged. Drawing on first-hand knowledge of the travails of armed-forces personnel and their families, he founded Indian Bravehearts — a trust focused wholly on the welfare, rehabilitation and wellbeing of veterans, their families and war widows (Veer Naaris).
“My efforts have been appreciated by the Hon’ble National Security Advisor, Sh Ajit Doval KC, through a DO letter. I am also in regular touch with the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Sh Narendra Modi ji, and apprise him on various national and strategic issues.”
Sarah D. RawatCo-Founder · Trustee & SecretarySarah D. Rawat is a co-founder of Indian Bravehearts and the proud wife of a defence officer — a vantage point from which she has witnessed first-hand the quiet sacrifices made by the families of the armed forces. An MBA specialising in marketing and advertising, she stepped away from a corporate career as a Business Development Manager to devote herself to social work, and today leads the trust’s efforts for the wives of defence martyrs (Veer Naaris) and the wider cause of women’s empowerment.
A motivational speaker and stage performer, Sarah has carried the story of martyrs’ wives and the message of women’s empowerment to audiences across India and abroad — including two TEDx stages, JoshTalks, SheThePeople TV, and diplomatic events for several embassies in Delhi. She is also a published author; her debut novel, Breaking Down the Riverine Girl, is available across major platforms.
Green Periods — Sarah leads the trust’s flagship women’s-health campaign built around MYCARA biodegradable sanitary pads, working to make safe, healthy and dignified menstruation possible for every woman.
Our work is a testament to action over sentiment. From honouring the fallen to rebuilding livelihoods, every project is designed to deliver dignity and practical support to the fraternity and its families. Among the projects executed:
From the border villages of Kashmir to the world stage — explore the initiatives through which Indian Bravehearts serves the nation and its people.
Donations, in-kind support, gifting, professional services and volunteering all sustain our projects — and no contribution is too trivial. You can make a real difference in their lives by choosing to:
Beyond the forces fraternity, Indian Bravehearts also stands with the “Bravehearts of Society” — those who battle, day in and day out, for survival against hardship and unsafe surroundings. They include abandoned parents who lack basic support systems, the helpless victims of rape, acid attacks and human trafficking, street children, and the abandoned girl child and orphans living shattered lives.
These bravehearts, too, deserve love and care — to be nurtured back to normalcy so they may live a reasonably comfortable second life.
Indian Bravehearts is guided by its trustees and office-bearers — veterans, professionals and changemakers who bring their experience and conviction to the cause.
Colonel DK Dass
Founder Trustee
A retired Gunner (Artillery) Colonel of the Indian Army who served on the nation’s hardest frontiers — Siachen, the Line of Control and Kupwara. A Paul Harris Fellow and veteran Rotarian, he founded Indian Bravehearts to stand with the families of the armed-forces fraternity.
Sarah Rawat
Trustee & Secretary
A defence officer’s wife and an MBA in marketing, Sarah is a motivational speaker (TEDx ×2) and a champion of women’s empowerment. She leads the trust’s work for war widows (Veer Naaris) and drives the Green Periods and Project Akshar initiatives.
Preeti Yadav
Member
Founder of Queeniefied Events and the women’s community Swawlambani, State Director for Miss Universe (UP & Punjab) and a Sarojini Naidu Award honouree. A partner on Project Akshar, she brings her platform to the cause of education and women’s empowerment.
Anurag Gupta
Trustee — CSR & Partnerships
A serial social-impact entrepreneur committed to meaningful change through education, women’s empowerment, sustainability and innovation. A former AVP – Business at Bharti Airtel and co-founder of Carbon Mandi, he believes every child deserves quality education and every woman the chance to be financially independent — working to build a greener, stronger and more inclusive India.
Your generosity rebuilds lives. Every contribution goes toward rehabilitation, education and the dignity of those who gave everything for the nation. Donations are exempt from Income Tax under Sec. 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Account Name: INDIAN BRAVEHEARTS
Bank: AXIS BANK LTD
Branch Code: 1363
IFSC Code: UTIB0001363
Account No: 920010062478401
For donation receipts or an 80G tax-exemption certificate, email us at info@indianbravehearts.com with your payment details and address. Every contribution is acknowledged and utilised transparently.
Whether you wish to partner, volunteer, contribute or simply learn more, we would be glad to hear from you. Reach out through the form below or our direct channels.
Phone: +91 70111 52339
Alternate: +91 9810266662, +91 9810166662
Email: info@indianbravehearts.com
Website: www.indianbravehearts.com
Facebook: /IndianBravehearts
Based in: New Delhi, India
All donations are exempt from Income Tax under Sec. 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Email us your payment details and address to receive an official exemption certificate.
