Archana Singh Charan on Mental Health, Sustainability & Impact

From Crisis to Care: How Archana Singh Charan Sparked a Movement of Mental Health, Skill-Building, and Human Connection During the Pandemic 

In a warm and honest conversation on the Udaipur Gazette podcast, host Talveen Kaur sat down with Archana Singh Charan, the founder of Rahda Foundation to talk about her journey, her work and why she believes that real change begins with care, intentional living and connection. Archana shared that her mental health awareness programs began in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was a difficult time. People were losing their loved ones, students were stuck at home and many were feeling depressed and anxious,” she said. During this time, she and her team started visiting schools and colleges, holding sessions to talk about mental health alongside holding workshops and adopting unemployed citizens to upskill and support them with platforms that not just upheld their survival but gave the pandemic a whole new meaning- based off authenticity, self belief, self care and

self-sufficiency through which 500+ people were given jobs through her NPO to impact rate of 50,000+ as of 2025.

While mental health remains a key focus Rahda Foundation also works actively for the environment and 11 other holistic and interconnected portfolios namely; healthcare, education, skill development and employment, childcare, women empowerment, energy and environment works, arts and culture, social justice and inclusion, sports, livelihood, mental health through its projects and campaigns.

Archana believes in the old ways of living where people reused, recycled and didn’t waste anything. “My grandmother used to make doormats from old clothes. Back then, people lived simply and were happier,” she said. That thinking is at the heart of Rahda’s work in sustainability. The foundation supports eco-friendly products, encourages recycle, reduce, reuse practices and gives platforms to green startups and researchers.

Archana also spoke about how Rahda supports senior citizens, focusing on their health and emotional needs. “After a certain age, many elders feel left out. But they have so much experience and wisdom. We should give them our time and attention. It's the best gift, even one small conversation can help someone feel less alone. Even a small seed, if taken care of, can grow into a big tree. That’s how I see seniors as a growing tree giving shade, peace, and purpose, she said.

Through its work, the foundation reaches out to tribal and rural areas around Rajasthan, where access to education, jobs and healthcare is still limited. From plantation drives to cleanliness campaigns and awareness events, Rahda works closely with students, volunteers and local communities.

“Every morning, I wake up with confidence and energy,” Archana said. “I’ve learned that we must never give up.​"

By Yash Bharti.