Marking February 27 as World NGO Day since its 2014 inception, the international observance celebrates NGOs’ indispensable contributions to societal progress—from education and healthcare to environmental protection and equity. India’s NGO landscape thrives with celebrity involvement, where film stars turn spotlight into service, funding foundations that aid lakhs.
Chiranjeevi’s Charitable Trust, born in 1998, pioneers blood banks and pandemic relief, with the star donating personally. Mahesh Babu invests heavily in Heal A Child for pediatric care. Mohanlal’s family-named Vishwa Shanthi Foundation shone in COVID response.
Salman Khan’s Being Human builds schools and clinics for marginalized kids. The Paani Foundation by Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao trains communities against water woes in arid zones since 2016. Deepika’s Live Love Laugh, launched 2015, destigmatizes mental illness.
Sushmita Sen’s I Am Foundation champions multiple causes since 2009. Farhan Akhtar’s MARD fosters male allyship for women. Priyanka Chopra, via UNICEF and her foundation, empowers underprivileged girls educationally and health-wise. Alia Bhatt’s Coexist safeguards animals and environment, partnering with Salam Bombay.
Jacqueline’s You Only Live Once rescues strays. Anupam Kher’s foundation boosts child learning from 2008, Shabana Azmi’s Mijwan aids rural women, Sonu Sood’s charity legendarily aided migrants in COVID and beyond. Aishwarya Rai prioritizes holistic aid.
Dhanush, Allu Arjun, Nana Patekar, and more exemplify generous giving. On World NGO Day, their stories remind us of entertainment’s power for good, urging collective action for a better tomorrow.