At 71 years old, Pankaj Chimanlal Seth, from Ahmedabad, is far from your typical retiree. “I might talk a little extra today, hope you don’t mind?” he says with a friendly chuckle. His energy is infectious. After spending 35 years as a Class-2 officer, he now spends his retirement days improving the lives of those in need by giving them the means to start afresh.

“I didn’t want to sit idle after retirement,” he tells The Better India. So, he began by collaborating with various NGOs to deepen his understanding of how charitable organisations function and the most effective ways to support those in need.

Extending a helping hand

In 2013, after months of research and careful planning, Pankaj founded the Give Forever Foundation. His initial focus was on families coping with the loss of an earning member, children from slums, and senior citizens.

“I reached out to everyone I knew, asking for help in identifying families in need. To streamline the process, I created a form to collect essential details, like Aadhaar cards and educational qualifications, so I could assess their needs and provide them with food and basic necessities,” he explains.

“I created a calendar to tailor the supply of essential items with major festivals, along with a few special touches to bring extra........

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