The global market for Non-Profit Organizations is growing regularly with the number of youths coming forward to promote their ideals and causes to serve society. With the aim to give back the society, Palak Rashma Sharma founded the Happy Triangle Foundation which creates and facilitates environments of learning and healthcare. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to children’s education and the upliftment of womenPalak Rashma Sharma has completed her graduation with a minor in International Relations and a major in Economics from SSLA,, Symbiosis International University. She has pursued her Master’s in International Economics and Relations from SAIS, Johns Hopkins University and with her vast experience as an Intern, Consultant, Analyst, Researcher, and many. She can create a syllabus of a sensitive nature, while also adding innovative ideas and fresh colours, with an easy-to-read experience. Palak engages in an exclusive interaction with Women Entrepreneur Magazine.

Take us through your early educational & professional background.

After my bachelor’s, and a short internship, I had the fortunate opportunity to share my research at Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness Centre and CBS’s conference and this experience deeply influenced me to work on sustainable programs in India mainly in education, health, and community development. In August 2016, with the help of my co-founders, we started with workshops in an educational center in a slum of Mumbai, while I also did a course in Buddhist Philosophy. Soon after that I also completed my MA from SAIS Johns Hopkins and gained experience at Atlantic Council, Gasvista, World Bank in the United States, and Barefoot College in Tilonia, Rajasthan.

Tell us about the underlying idea behind the foundation of Happy Triangle Foundation and some of its most unique features.

With the influence of my Bhutan trip, Buddhist philosophy, and recognising community development requirements from my time interning in Mumbai’s slum with the Smile Foundation, I was passionate to work in the same direction of education & development and after discussing my passion with my parents, we came up with the idea of starting a non-profit that could create a change.

The most unique feature would be to serve the most essential and under-served communities, especially from the marginalised groups.

Tell us about the roles and responsibilities you shoulder including the challenges you face at your position & how you overcome those challenges.

In the beginning, I was the only teacher, syllabus writer, administrator, website designer, and CSR reporter but currently, my purpose is to create our annual set of goals such that we can reach the most vulnerable populations, based on the needs of our time. I mainly work to design, write, and create art for each magazine issue, and this way my role directly focuses on the education part the most, as compared to health or community development.

The definition of pressing challenges changes when looking at our three different programs but primarily for education, we have been surveying and recognising the great covid learning loss for children, especially those without tech-facilities. To overcome this, we started the magazine in 2020 andhave now collaborated withMaharashtra’s Ministry of Women and Child Development to reach over five lakh children.

"Stay patient & persistent because anything worth doing will take time"

What has been your most remarkable achievement so far & what is the driving force behind your success as a business leader?

Keeping the promise of coming back and serving the children’s educational group named SHED (Society for Human and Environmental Development, at Mahakali Slums) is one of the most significant milestones for me. Maintaining the relationship with the place where I began in 2014 is an essential milestone of my professional journey because it represents a special commitment and relationship, and how it has been a driving force. Multiple iconic statues of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar outside the SHED office always remind me of his philosophy and how it is also steers Happy Triangle’s work.

What would your advice be to young women who also aspire to become business leaders?

Don't let the opinions of other people hold you back and of course, things don’t always go your way, but staying innovative is the only option. Learn from each experience. For example, I was bullied for my English for almost four years, and now I use my lessons to improve young children’s English comprehension through our magazine. For those interested in social impact, or aiming to serve society in any way, shape, or form, I advise you to read Annihilation of Caste by Bharat Ratna Dr.Ambedkar.

Palak Rashma Sharma, Co-Founder & Director , Happy Triangle Foundation

Having Worked With Foreign Policy Think Tanks In Washington Dc And Mumbai, World Bank, & A Natural Gas Investment Firm In New  York City, Palak Is Currently Engaged With Water Economics, Education & Art.