The inspiration behind Urja Foundation comes from a deeply personal journey. Growing up in an environment of hardship, its founder strived for opportunities that were often out of reach. That pursuit became the cornerstone of a vision to ensure that everyone has access to opportunities to rise in life. This mission is not rooted in a socialist mindset, but in the belief in equilibrium, where every individual deserves the chance to work hard and progress.
Alongside this conviction lies an empathetic and emotional nature that connects deeply with people’s struggles and sentiments. Over the years, charitable efforts and small-scale support for individuals provided some fulfillment, yet the inner calling to create impact on a higher and larger scale remained. In a world moving on a perilous course, the realization grew stronger: if no one else is stepping up, then it is time to step forward.
Tracing the transformation of happiness and success over time
Urbanization, industrial growth, and lifestyle shift over the decades have fundamentally altered the way people, especially children, perceive happiness and success. Once rooted in simple joys, happiness today is often measured by material acquisitions, including cars, homes, and possessions that symbolize achievement. Success, too, has largely been reduced to monetary wealth.
This shift has also led to a diminishing respect for teachers, musicians, and artists, those who have contributed immensely to society but are often dismissed because they have not accumulated wealth. In their place, the glorification of Hollywood and billionaires has set the wrong precedents, driving everyone to accumulate money no matter what. The idea of happiness and success is now tied to the accumulation of wealth, at the cost of family, friends, society, humanity, and spirituality.
Technology and social media have intensified this trend. Platforms deliver an endless stream of short, personalized videos, creating instant dopamine surges. These fleeting highs replace the slower, deeper serotonin-driven satisfaction that comes from genuine human connections. Over time, the imbalance leaves people less willing to engage in meaningful, difficult pursuits, further eroding the depth of real happiness.
The illusion of possessions as happiness
Modern society has normalized the idea that happiness is found externally, through the acquisition of objects, emotions, or even relationships. With easy access to credit, many borrow to purchase bigger cars, larger homes, or the latest fashion, creating a fleeting sense of instant happiness.
Yet this pursuit is built on illusions. Today’s cultural icons: wealthy individuals, celebrities, and even porn stars are held up as ideals. For impressionable children and teenagers seeking validation, this sets a dangerous precedent. The obsession with social media compounds the issue, as people chase likes and digital approval from strangers, mistaking these artificial signals for genuine happiness. Compared to the complexities of real relationships with family, partners, or friends, this superficial validation feels easier, but ultimately it leaves deeper needs unmet.
Encouraging authenticity in children
From birth, children are guided by a web of dos and don’ts imposed by parents, schools, religious leaders, and communities. This conditioning shapes behavior but often strips away authenticity. In striving to conform, children lose touch with their selfhood.
Nature, however, thrives on diversity. Just as the Sahara Desert and the Amazon rainforest coexist in their uniqueness, human existence too reflects a wide spectrum of variation. These variations are necessary to fit in the big jigsaw puzzle. Forcing everyone into the same mold ignores this truth. Instead, children should be observed to uncover who they really are. While environments inevitably influence development, creating space for children to develop naturally enables them to become more grounded, less stressed individuals. Acceptance of their individuality benefits not only the children but also parents and society at large.
Imagining an authentic world
If every child were to grow up truly happy and in touch with their essence, the world would be transformed. People would live in a world where they are truly authentic. Everyone would be aligned with who they really are, doing things that bring them happiness and leaning into what they are naturally good at, instead of trying to meet others’ expectations. They would not live according to what society, or their parents think they should be. Success would no longer be about outperforming your neighbor or pleasing others — it would be about doing the things you truly want to do.
Such a world would be built on authenticity, where each person contributes their natural gifts without compromise. It would be a society less driven by material accumulation and more centered on balance, empathy, and acceptance. This is the world Urja Foundation seeks to nurture, a future where children are free to be themselves, and happiness is rediscovered in its truest form.
