Bharati Dasgupta, co-founder and former trustee of Catalysts for Social Action, has dedicated decades to advocacy for adoption and institutional-child care, transitioning from the corporate world to a lifetime of social impact. She is also one of the earliest signatories of the LivingMyPromise initiative.
When givers, doers, and dreamers come together for a cause, a Collective is born; an alliance that turns scattered efforts into lasting impact. This is my story of why Collectives matter, and how they can transform the way we approach social change.
I have long believed in the power of collaborative participation to propel social change, and have periodically suggested promotion of cause-related Collectives. Rarely do we find ourselves in a position, as we do now, to bring together people who not only have resources but also organizational expertise, a connect with those closest to the problem—the grassroots NGOs and, the scope for reach to seek government, businesses, and community participation. For us, this is an immense opportunity to go beyond being funders and supporters, into being harbingers of change.
My conviction comes from experience. When we set up Catalysts for Social Action (CSA)—which turned 23 this month—the aim was simple: to create adoption awareness and find homes for infants languishing in rural Adoption Agencies (AAs). Our first step which began with extending need-based support, soon deepened into a relationship that revealed the many nuances of the adoption system. We learnt about the children, the circumstances that brought them there, the legal processes, the attitudes of agencies and authorities, and the gaps in policy and practice.
Over time, we built a database of children waiting in rural AAs and connected them with urban AAs to widen adoption choices for parents. We partnered with adoptive parent associations, ran awareness campaigns, and invited donors to support with everything from refrigerators and baby cradles to groceries. Fertility experts, advertisers, and corporate houses joined hands. We worked with ministers, government departments, even the Prime Minister’s office, to push adoption reforms.
The results were tangible: the adoption age limit was raised, sibling groups were protected, orphans in childcare homes became eligible for adoption, inter-agency transfers were made possible, and provisions for special-needs children were introduced. Police, judiciary, and anganwadi workers were sensitised. Rural adoption became mainstream, and reforms piloted in Maharashtra shaped national policy. Recognition followed—awards, media coverage, and eventually, an invitation from CARA to serve as Adoption Coordination Agency. In essence, our initiative had grown from a community-driven effort into what could well be described as a Collective in action.
So, what truly makes a Collective?
At its heart, it begins with a shared purpose. People come together because they are stirred by the same cause, because they believe that the impact of working together will be more than working alone. From there, roles emerge naturally. Some step forward as visionaries—eminent citizens, experts, or corporate leaders who can open doors, bring credibility, and set the tone. Others take on the role of anchors, coordinating efforts and keeping the group aligned. Around them gather smaller clusters of people and organizations who focus on different aspects of the cause—designing programs, sharing expertise, or piloting new ideas. And always, at the foundation, are the communities themselves—the people who live the reality of the problem and who must have a voice in shaping the solution.
Let me attempt a conceptualization of some examples:
- An Animal Welfare Collective- the welfare of strays.
A recent Supreme Court ruling directed dog lovers to pay for being heard in Court; also. those funds be earmarked for the care of street dogs under municipal supervision. This offers the perfect foundation for a Collective that brings together animal activists, municipal bodies, veterinarians, NGOs, feeders and citizen groups. Imagine a structured effort with pooled resources—funds, shelters, medical vans, vaccination drives, sterilization campaigns—all planned and executed collaboratively.
- A Collective for ‘Informed Citizenship’
This comes from my more recent work on Citizenship Awareness. We live in a time when democratic values and constitutional awareness are critical, especially for young people. Over the years, Aagam has created programs and initiated Awareness efforts. A Training Product and workshops, networking to include State CEOs, Ministries, gig and migrant associations, events-even a RAP competition—to make citizenship accessible and engaging. But what if this effort became a Collective? Picture the Election Commission along with a group of LMPians, ushering in an extensive cross-country campaign to educate the youth on the Value of the Vote. Imagine other stakeholders-State/District CEOs, Corporators, educators, skills-developers, youth groups, NSS Units, NGOs, media professionals, and policymakers pooling their ideas and networks. Campaigns could move beyond isolated events to sustained national outreach, with universities, colleges, schools, and local communities taking ownership. The message of constitutional values would not just be taught—it would be lived, practiced, and shared.
Such Collectives—whether for animal welfare or citizenship—could be piloted in one state and then replicated across others. The structure need not be rigid, but the flow is simple: vision at the top, energy at the centre, specialists at the edges, and community voices firmly at the base.
The impact of such models would go far beyond the immediate cause. They would demonstrate how collaboration can convert chronic, fragmented issues into coordinated, sustainable solutions. They would also underline the essence of the philanthropy perspective: moving beyond charity to systemic change.
If there is one lesson my journey has taught me, it is this: lasting change is never the work of one individual or one organization. It is born when we pool our strengths, share our vision, and act together. Perhaps it is time we ask ourselves—not just what cause do I care about, but who can I join hands with to take it further.