PURNA ~ NEPAL NPO
PURNA
It was the love of the mountains that brought us together. The allure of the Himalayas, the grace of the divine and the perfect timing brought us to the Annapurna ranges of the Himalayas in Nepal in April 2023. We came back with a content heart and a strong desire to go back. We were all deeply touched by the conditions of the hard-working people in the mountains and the children who do not have adequate access to education. And that gave birth to PURNA, a non-profit partnership to reach out to these children.
MISSION
Our mission is to bring education to those who have the desire but not the means to reach their goals. We will be providing the annual scholarships to children from K through 12 with the help of the team Shikshya-Diksha based in the US and Nepal.
ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पुर्णमुदच्यते
पूर्णश्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
Om Puurnnam-Adah Puurnnam-Idam Puurnnaat-Purnnam-Udacyate
Puurnnashya Puurnnam-Aadaaya Puurnnam-Eva-Avashissyate ||
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||
Aum! That is infinite, and this (universe) is infinite.
The infinite proceeds from the infinite.
(Then) taking the infinitude of the infinite (universe),
It remains as the infinite alone.
Aum! Peace! Peace! Peace!
MEET TEAM PURNA
The group of 18 women and the sherpas who trekked to the Annapurna Circuit in April 2023
Ritu Kapur is an Occupational therapist, a yoga teacher, an author, and a mother to two boys. Ritu believes in women's empowerment and has been leading women-only retreats around the world. She is a passionate advocate for not just elementary but higher education for all who want it.
Prathibha Ranganna, originally from Bangalore (India), a physician and yoga teacher, lives in the US with her husband & 2 daughters. She loves the great outdoors, especially hiking in the vast mountains of Nepal. Some of her favorite quotes include "Be the change you wish to see in the world" & “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today"—- and she certainly takes it to heart and follows it in her personal life.
Kavitha Krishna is an engineer by profession but wears many hats. She loves to sing, dance, and run marathons and enjoys trekking. She is a mother to two girls.
Sonal Ambwani is a mom to a boy and a dog, and a scientist by training. She loves to run, hike and be outdoors. She found so much joy and inspiration among the people and mountains of Nepal that culminated in her joining Purna. She hopes to spread the message of "freedom through education" among the younger generations of Nepal. Sonal has the heart of gold and she was deeply touched by the condition of young children she saw in the remote areas of Nepal.