In 2021, 13-year-old Eshaan, living in the USA, faced a life-altering tragedy when his uncle, visiting from Switzerland, contracted COVID-19 in Vrindavan and passed away. The loss was devastating, but for Eshaan, it became a catalyst for action.

H.G.SATYADHARMA DAS / SANJEEV KHAJURIA

Watching global news reports about critical shortages of medicines and medical supplies in India, he realized that millions of lives were at risk, especially among vulnerable communities. Determined to make a difference, Eshaan shared his vision with his parents and decided to lead a youth-driven humanitarian effort targeting the most affected regions.

Eshaan’s approach was grounded in transparency and accountability, ensuring that any donations or resources mobilized from the USA would reach the people who needed them the most, without intermediaries or mismanagement. His mission was simple yet powerful: save lives, support healthcare access, and inspire youth to take action.

In response to the urgent needs during India’s second COVID-19 wave, Eshaan’s parents, Navdeep and Namreeta, reached out to Shree Gauranga’s Foundation Trust USA, which had a trusted local presence, their own office, in Vasai, Palghar District, Maharashtra, India. This made the Trust the ideal partner to coordinate transparent, life-saving COVID-19 relief.

Together, they conducted a careful needs assessment, identifying the most vulnerable populations in Palghar’s tribal communities that needed immediate help.

To ensure COVID-19 medicines reached those who needed them most, Eshaan and his parents collaborated with the District Health Office, Palghar District, Maharashtra, India.

The Global Shree Gauranga’s Foundation Trust - India, met with officials to identify urgent medical needs and coordinate transparent, verified distribution. 

At this stage, the District Health Office provided the official requisition list detailing the exact medicines required along with government-approved suppliers. This allowed Eshaan’s team to procure and deliver medicines transparently and efficiently, targeting Palghar’s tribal communities who were most vulnerable during the second wave.

By coordinating with official authorities and verified suppliers, this youth-led, accountable initiative exemplified cross-border collaboration with the Global Shree Gauranga’s Foundation Trust and reinforced structured, transparent action in humanitarian relief.

The initiative directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:

SDG 3 — Good Health and Well-being: Providing essential medicines to improve health outcomes.

SDG 10 — Reduced Inequalities: Targeting marginalized tribal communities with limited healthcare access.

SDG 17 — Partnerships for the Goals: Demonstrating effective collaboration between youth, NGOs, and government authorities.

Original Fundraiser post by Eshaan 
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-india-beat-oxygen-crisis
My name is Eshaan. I am a seventh grader at Granite Oaks Middle School and a Boy Scout from Troop 29 Rocklin, California. I am going to start summer break very soon. My parents suggested I do something meaningful during this time off from regular activities. We have family in India and I very recently lost my Uncle to Covid-19. He was on an oxygen tank initially and then an oxygen concentrator which were given to him by a nonprofit organization. I decided to raise enough funds so that we can donate important medical supplies such as syringes, IV start kits, IV tubings and oxygen concentrators to badly affected areas of UttarPradesh and Maharashtra in India. The donation will be going to hospitals serving poor and low income families through nonprofit shreegauranga.org . Please visit their website to see all their welfare projects that they have done in the past many years. Please help me to help others with your generous donation!!!

Post Fundraising post by Eshaan.

A huge shout out to all the donors for their support to my fundraiser! We achieved our target of $3500 today. Shree Gauranga Foundation Trust has been in constant touch with the district health officials in Palgarh, Maharashtra, India to know about their exact requirements so that the donors money could be put to the most effective use. The officials stated that the oxygen concentrators are in surplus now and they do not need them instead they requested for pediatric oxygen mask, pediatric multivitamins and Ayurcoro-3 which is herbal immuno modulator. I am so excited to share with you that we achieved our goal to collect enough money to get 750 units of these three items. Please look for my future updates when I will share with you more information when the district office actually receives it.
Thank you.
Eshaan Brar.

Eshaan’s Team Ensured Transparent Medicine Delivery to Protect Palghar’s Tribal Communities During COVID-19 Second Wave.

The Palghar District Health Office received the medicines through Eshaan’s youth-led, transparent COVID-19 relief effort. Recognizing this accountability, the District Collector, Government of Maharashtra, issued an official appreciation letter.

This commendation proved that the medicines reached the tribal communities most in need, while setting a model for truthful, transparent, and youth-driven humanitarian action. It powerfully advanced the vision of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions by reinforcing trust in governance during crisis.

Soon after local recognition, Eshaan’s initiative drew national attention. A Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha formally acknowledged his cross-border COVID-19 relief. This highlighted how youth-led global partnerships can strengthen healthcare systems, directly contributing to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

Eshaan Brar’s youth-led COVID-19 relief was honored with a Certificate of Appreciation issued by a leading non-profit and presented through Shri Sudhir Mungantiwar, Cabinet Core Minister, former Finance, Planning, and Forest Minister of Maharashtra, and a senior BJP leader. The certificate, received on Eshaan’s behalf by Smt. Meera Sharma, highlighted the collaboration between youth, government leaders, and civil society.

Local newspapers and media widely reported this recognition, amplifying the story of transparent, youth-driven humanitarian action. The commendation embodied United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals, proving how strong partnerships across borders and institutions can create lasting impact for vulnerable communities.

Eshaan Brar’s journey from California to India was marked by a commitment to serve communities during one of the most difficult times in history—the COVID-19 pandemic. For his outstanding contributions to healthcare delivery, youth empowerment, and social development, he was honored with the Maharashtra–Goa Ekata Social & Health Award, a prestigious state-level recognition presented under the Directorate of Art & Culture, Government of Goa.

This award reflects Eshaan’s youth-led humanitarian model that mobilized resources transparently, collaborated with local governments, and reached vulnerable tribal communities. It also highlights how cross-border youth leadership can strengthen the vision of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

State recognition amplified his impact story across local and national media, inspiring youth in India and abroad to take bold steps toward service, leadership, and sustainable community development.

This recognition complements his earlier state and national honors, reinforcing the message that youth leadership, compassion, and transparency can create meaningful change. By linking his service to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3, SDG 10, and SDG 17), the postal stamp becomes a reminder that even in the most challenging times, collective action and dedication can inspire lasting impact.

In a deeply emotional and memorable ceremony, Eshaan’s award was proudly received by his mother during her visit to India from the USA. The award, presented by the Chairperson of Shree Gaurangas Foundation Trust, celebrated Eshaan’s outstanding achievements and highlighted the Trust’s dedication to youth empowerment, education, and meaningful global impact. This occasion reflects the spirit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Quality Education (SDG 4), Reduced Inequality (SDG 10), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17), inspiring generations worldwide.

"Newspaper coverage of Eshaan Brar’s mother being felicitated by Global Shree Gauranga’s Foundation Trust for social impact and leadership."

"Newspaper coverage of Eshaan Brar’s mother being felicitated by Global Shree Gauranga’s Foundation Trust for social impact and leadership."