An equitable society where every child receives a holistic education rooted in the values laid down in the Preamble of the Constitution of India endorsed by the Constituent Assembly.
To motivate teachers as they guide and mentor students while supporting them in developing effective knowledge, skills and values that create a foundation for lifelong learning.
Equality and Non-Discrimination: We believe all children should have equal access to education. No child should be discriminated against on the basis of socio-economic status, gender, religion, age, caste, class, gender identity and sexual orientation, HIV status and disability.
Respect and Trust: We believe teachers are at the heart of a transformative education system and all people should be treated with respect, fairness and trust.
Empathy: We believe in creating an environment that builds agency, is inclusive and understands and appreciates people’s diverse contexts and perspectives.
Courage: We believe in bringing determination and positivity to working in challenging environments.
Integrity: We approach our work and relationships with honesty and hold ourselves accountable to our mission, to our stakeholders and to children.
The idea of Ahvaan, meaning to invoke or call to action, emerged in 2008 from Sarvjeet and Indrajeet Seth’s desire to use their resources and life’s work for a purpose larger than themselves. What began as an idea with a small group of committed individuals for developing a cultural or intellectual space soon evolved into a larger commitment to strengthen the moral and educational foundations of India’s young citizens. In a world where academic achievement often outpaces ethical formation, the founding group recognised that schools could and must become places where children learn not only to think but also to discern, empathise, and act with integrity.
The group’s reflections were rooted in a larger social reality; the gradual disappearance of the joint family system, the shrinking space for intergenerational exchange, and the declining exposure of the young to the liberal arts. It was their belief that, in the absence of these formative influences, the responsibility for the imperceptible transfer of values now rested with schools. The teacher, therefore, was envisioned not merely as an instructor of subjects but as a guide for life, someone whose influence endures long after a child leaves the classroom. This idea drew from both the liberal arts tradition of the West and India’s timeless Guru–Shishya Parampara, together embodying the conviction that education must shape both intellect and character.
Ahvaan was registered as a Trust in 2010 with the mission of nurturing this spirit in schools by supporting teachers to see themselves as mentors and moral anchors for their students. From its earliest days, the Trust benefited from the guidance of eminent educationists such as Abha Adams, Professor Venita Kaul, and Professor Vijaya Varma, whose insights helped shape its approach and direction.
Beginning with Delhi’s government schools, Ahvaan sought to improve classroom quality in the early years while ensuring that learning remained joyful, inclusive, and value driven. Over time, the organisation’s work expanded to Tripura, and Chhattisgarh bringing together curriculum design, teacher mentoring, and institutional collaboration to strengthen early learning within public systems.
As Ahvaan enters its next phase, we remain committed to the mission of strengthening public education by equipping teachers, engaging parents, and inspiring children to learn with joy and purpose. The journey that began within a small group has grown into a movement built on the conviction that the foundations we lay in the early years will shape the nation we become.
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