When Giving Flows, Lives Flourish: Malini Deepak's Journey of Purposeful Philanthropy

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When Giving Flows, Lives Flourish: Malini Deepak's Journey of Purposeful Philanthropy

For Malini Deepak, giving back to India has always been about making a meaningful difference.

“I have a deep attachment to India, perhaps because my father was an Indian Army officer. I have deep gratitude for the upbringing and education that I received. It enabled me to get a graduate degree in management from Northwestern University and work in advertising in Chicago.” 

Later, a family decision to move to Virginia allowed Malini to focus on raising her children. Despite the passage of time, Malini has never lost sight of the country where she grew up, or the challenges she witnessed while living in India.

"I remember seeing the lack of basic infrastructure that affected women every day. Public services, transportation, availability of water and clean toilets—not having these were not just ‘inconvenient’; they were barriers that limited dignity and opportunity."

Those vivid memories stayed with Malini, shaping her lifelong desire to contribute to India's progress in whatever ways she could. While searching online for a trustworthy organization working in rural India about fifteen years ago, Malini came across Sehgal Foundation. 

"It felt like a dream come true. I had been looking for an organization with priorities that reflected what I cared most about—education, rural India, and access to water."

What immediately resonated with Malini was Sehgal Foundation's integrated approach to rural development, creating opportunities for women, improving government schools with separate toilets for girls, providing clean drinking water using rainwater harvesting, and empowering rural communities to build a better future for themselves.

"I wanted my contributions to support programs that reduce barriers for women and give children, especially girls, the opportunity to learn with dignity. I don't have a lot to give, but I want my contribution to make a real difference."

Malini’s confidence in Sehgal Foundation was strengthened almost immediately. After making her first donation, she received a personal thank-you note from Jay Sehgal. More than an acknowledgment of her generosity, the message reflected the organization's genuine appreciation for every donor. 

"That told me a great deal about the character of the organization," she says. And over the years, Malini’s admiration for Sehgal Foundation has grown exponentially. 

“Dr. and Mrs. Sehgal’s personal story documented in a YouTube movie is so inspirational. It proves that one person can change the lives of so many.” 

Malini learned how Dr. and Mrs. Sehgal match every donated dollar. Dr. Sehgal’s background as an esteemed seed scientist and a founder of a successful public company gave him a unique understanding of agriculture and economics. Because of his stature and professional ties to the agriculture community worldwide, he has been able to involve other major companies such as Mosaic in the projects and work S M Sehgal Foundation does with farmers. 

Edda Sehgal’s firsthand visits and observations resulted in projects that support the empowerment of women and girls through renovated schools and separate and clean toilets for boys and girls. The launch of the Transform Lives one school at a time program in 2016, has resulted in rural schools becoming places that children want to attend and learn. 

“Jay Sehgal has his finger on every pulse. He has worked relentlessly to find the right people in India and in the US who share his vision and dedication to the work. Regular updates and detailed newsletters report on-the-ground activities and show results that show meaningful progress wherever the foundation has provided guidance and resources.”

One idea that has shaped Malini’s philosophy of giving was hearing a spiritual teacher in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania, compare money to water.

"He said that money is like water. If water stops flowing, it becomes stagnant. But when it flows, it nourishes everything around it." 

That analogy has stayed with her ever since. For Malini, philanthropy is not about wealth. Philanthropy is about allowing resources to flow where they can create hope, dignity, and opportunity.

Malini Deepak's story reminds us that purposeful philanthropy is built not only by extraordinary gifts, but also by ordinary people who make the choice to give consistently and with purpose—and the result is transformative. Every contribution, regardless of size, becomes part of something much larger—a child who can learn in a well-equipped school, a woman who gains confidence and opportunity, a farming family with greater resilience, and a community with hope for the future. Malini feels it is a privilege to be associated with such a giving organization—a simple commitment, but one that continues to make a meaningful difference in rural India.