For those looking to create impact, Dolly emphasizes the importance of starting small. “You don’t need grand plans to make a difference. Begin with what you have and where you are. Volunteering with Bhumi taught me that even a single effort can inspire many.”

Dolly Aswani – Inspiring Change & Empowering Change, One Step at a Time
In today’s edition of Humans of Bhumi, we shine the spotlight on an extraordinary individual whose journey from a small town to a changemaker is as inspiring as it is transformative. Meet Dolly Aswani, founder of The Kind Citizen (TKC), a New Delhi-based organization dedicated to making a difference in the social impact space.
A Humble Beginning
Born and raised in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, Dolly’s early years were shaped by a family legacy rooted in resilience and determination. Her family, belonging to the Sindhi community that migrated to India during the partition, worked tirelessly to build a life from scratch. Dolly’s grandfather, a street vendor, and later her parents, exemplified the spirit of perseverance, gradually improving their circumstances.
Despite her family’s financial struggles and educational limitations – her father couldn’t complete 10th grade, and her mother was the family’s most educated member with a 12th-grade education – Dolly became the first girl in her family to graduate. Breaking barriers, she pursued a degree in Chemical Engineering at Banasthali Vidyapith in Jaipur. However, her path to purpose was yet to unfold.
A Turning Point in Pune
In 2017, while working at the National Chemical Laboratory in Pune during her final year of college, Dolly stumbled upon volunteering almost by accident. Feeling isolated in a new city, she Googled “things to do in Pune” and found Bhumi’s clean-up drive listed as an option. With no prior experience in volunteering or social work, she decided to participate and that one decision altered the course of her life.
“It was my first encounter with volunteering, and I had no idea what to expect,” Dolly recalls. “But as we cleaned the streets and interacted with like-minded individuals, I felt a deep sense of connection and purpose.” She soon attended an orientation session by Bhumi, where she met passionate individuals striving to create social impact. Weekends became synonymous with volunteering, and within months, she realized that her heart lay not in chemical engineering but in the realm of social development.
A Vision for Social Change
After graduating in 2018, Dolly returned to Agra, unsure of her next steps. A chance encounter with children from a nearby village seeking prasad during Navratri led her to a dilapidated school in the village. What she saw shocked her students were sitting outside in freezing weather because the school building was unsafe to use.
Fueled by her newfound passion for social impact and the lessons she had learned from Bhumi, Dolly took immediate action. She photographed the school’s conditions and shared them on social media, tagging relevant authorities. Her persistence paid off when the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s office responded, leading to much-needed renovations at the school.
This experience became the seed for The Kind Citizen (TKC), a platform Dolly founded to address social issues at the grassroots level. TKC focuses on empowering underprivileged communities through education, skill development, and community-driven initiatives. You can join their growing WhatsApp community for all the happenings and exciting updates!
Building The Kind Citizen
Starting TKC wasn’t easy. Coming from a business-oriented family, Dolly faced skepticism about choosing a career in the social sector. But her determination to create change outweighed the doubts. “I wanted to channel my education, experiences, and privilege to uplift others,” Dolly shares. “Volunteering taught me that individual efforts can lead to collective change.”
Through TKC, Dolly and her team have implemented several impactful programs, including:
- Educational Support: Providing resources and infrastructure to underserved schools.
- Skill Development Workshops: Equipping youth and women with skills to become self-reliant.
- Community Awareness Campaigns: Addressing issues like sanitation, environmental conservation, and gender equality.
A Ripple Effect of Kindness
Dolly’s journey from a volunteer at Bhumi to a social entrepreneur demonstrates how small acts of kindness can snowball into life-altering change. Today, TKC stands out highlighting her unwavering commitment to making a difference. From conducting workshops to empowering communities, Dolly has become a beacon of hope for countless individuals.
When asked what drives her, Dolly reflects, “Every small change matters. When I see a child smile or a community come together, it reaffirms my belief that kindness and empathy are the most powerful tools we have.”
A Message to Fellow Changemakers
For those looking to create impact, Dolly emphasizes the importance of starting small. “You don’t need grand plans to make a difference. Begin with what you have and where you are. Volunteering with Bhumi taught me that even a single effort can inspire many.”
As Dolly continues her mission with The Kind Citizen, her story serves as a powerful reminder that change begins with individuals who dare to dream and act. #HumansOfBhumi