Purpose, Persistence, and the Power of Giving Back: In Conversation with Manisha Bhatia
When was the last time you met someone whose purpose radiated so strongly that it shifted your perspective on what one person can do?
That’s how I felt while speaking to Manisha Bhatia, a changemaker whose story is equal parts courage, conviction, and compassion.
In a world where social entrepreneurship often sounds like a buzzword, Manisha lives it, quietly, consistently, and purposefully. As the founder of Abhinandan Educational and Welfare Society, she has spent over 15 years transforming lives through education, community-driven programs, and mentorship. But what makes her journey truly inspiring is how deeply it’s rooted in the belief that real change begins with empathy, and endurance.
Meet Manisha Bhatia: The Woman Behind Abhinandan
Manisha’s journey into social impact began back in 2009, when she founded Abhinandan with a simple yet powerful vision: to bridge the gap in access to quality education for underprivileged children and empower communities through learning.
Her approach, what she calls “education for life,” goes beyond classrooms and textbooks. It focuses on equipping individuals with skills, values, and the emotional intelligence to navigate real-world challenges. “Education,” she says, “should nurture critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and resilience. It should prepare individuals for life, not just exams.”
From the start, Abhinandan was not an easy path to walk. Funding was scarce, credibility had to be earned, and skepticism often came her way, more so because she was a woman in a space largely led by men. “At times,” she reflects, “my decisions were questioned more rigorously. My commitment was doubted. But I learned to let my work speak for itself.”
And it did.
Today, Abhinandan’s impact ripples far and wide, through children who return as mentors, women-led initiatives like AbhiNari, and new verticals like AbhiGreen (for environmental projects) and AbhiKids (for holistic education programs). What began as a vision has grown into a movement.
Key Takeaways from the Conversation
1. Purpose and Persistence Go Hand in Hand
For Manisha, purpose without persistence is incomplete. Change, she believes, doesn’t happen overnight, it demands patience, focus, and unwavering belief. “Social change takes time,” she says. “You have to stay committed even when challenges test your resolve. Persistence and focus must go hand in hand.”
2. Financial Independence is Freedom
When asked what advice she would give to young girls today, her answer was immediate: be financially independent.
“If a girl has financial stability, she can turn around the world,” she says. “Independence frees you from emotional dependence too. Relationships become purer, love becomes unconditional, and your choices come from strength, not necessity.”
3. The Power of Collaboration and Community
Manisha’s journey has been built on collaboration, not competition. She credits much of Abhinandan’s success to her ability to build strong networks of allies and mentors. “Partnering with the right people, listening to communities, and creating small but meaningful alliances,” she says, “is what allows real impact to scale.”
4. Resilience Through Surrender
Perhaps the most powerful part of our conversation was when Manisha spoke about the power of surrender.
“When you’re working towards a mission, you learn to navigate setbacks,” she shares. “Surrendering doesn’t mean giving up, it means trusting the process. Every challenge offers insight. Some push you down, but others lift you up.”
5. Redefining Women’s Leadership in Social Impact
Despite significant contributions by women in the social impact sector, Manisha points out that leadership gaps remain. “There’s still a perception gap when it comes to women in leadership, especially in impact-driven spaces,” she says. Her vision is clear: more mentorship, more visibility, and stronger networks for women founders. She’s already walking that talk through upcoming initiatives like AbhiHav, a program designed to amplify women’s voices and document their stories.
A Quote to Remember
“If a girl has financial stability, she can turn around the world.”
— Manisha Bhatia
This one line captures the essence of her philosophy, that empowerment begins when a woman gains the ability to stand tall, make choices, and lead from her own strength.
What’s Next for Abhinandan
As Manisha looks ahead, her plans are as ambitious as they are grounded. Abhinandan is evolving into a four-vertical organization – AbhiKids, AbhiNari, AbhiGreen, and AbhiWelfare- each focused on a different facet of social upliftment. She continues to believe that education is the most powerful tool for transformation, and that one act of empowerment creates a ripple of many more.
Listen to the Full Conversation
🎧 Catch the full episode with Manisha Bhatia on The AboutHer Show:
👉 Spotify: https://shorturl.at/aCviV
👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRvk1__1RlY
👉 Apple: https://shorturl.at/k0eER
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About the Author: Sangeeta Relan
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I’m Sangeeta Relan—an educator, writer, podcaster, researcher, and the founder of AboutHer. With over 30 years of experience teaching at the university level, I’ve also journeyed through life as a corporate wife, a mother, and now, a storyteller.
