New Delhi, July 2025 – What began as a humble act of kindness in the streets of India has now grown into a far-reaching humanitarian movement across continents. At the heart of this revolution is Shikhar Srivastava, the young visionary behind Petals Foundation—a grassroots initiative that has transformed lives in over 42 cities across India and several international locations including the USA, Nepal, Indonesia, and more.
Shikhar’s journey wasn’t born from privilege or wealth—it stemmed from compassion. As a teenager, he would feed stray animals in his locality and lend a helping hand to anyone in distress. His defining moment came when he assisted an elderly woman who had no food or shelter. That encounter left a lasting impression, and what followed was a chain reaction of kindness, eventually shaping what we now know as Petals Foundation.
A Foundation Rooted in Compassion
From rescuing abandoned animals to providing food, shelter, and medical aid, Petals Foundation stands as a symbol of silent revolution. Today, it is credited with feeding over 1 lakh stray dogs, supporting education programs for underprivileged children, and rehabilitating elderly women who were once left to beg on the streets. But the most striking part of the story? It all started as a one-man mission.
“I didn’t wait to have everything to start something — I just started, and gave everything I had,” says Shikhar Srivastava, now just 21, who has achieved what many can’t in a lifetime.
The foundation didn’t grow overnight. Behind the achievements lies a story of grit, struggle, and relentless purpose. Balancing academic responsibilities with day-to-day rescue operations and volunteer coordination was no easy feat. The financial strain was mounting, and sustainability became the biggest hurdle. Yet, instead of slowing down, Shikhar innovated.
Zostera: A Brand Born Out of Purpose
At the age of 19, Shikhar launched Zostera—a small jewelry brand—not to earn profit, but to fund Petals Foundation. With zero background in business or marketing, he bootstrapped the brand, poured in effort round-the-clock, and eventually turned it into a revenue-generating success. In just a short span, Zostera was making lakhs in profit. But unlike most, Shikhar didn’t use a single rupee for himself. Every bit of income went directly into expanding Petals Foundation’s work.
Zostera was never the goal—it was a tool. The real mission always remained the same: “To ensure no stray animal suffers, no elderly woman begs, and no slum child is forgotten.”
Scaling Across Borders
Today, Petals Foundation is active in over 42 cities in India, and has expanded to international territories like San Diego, Bali, Virginia, and Kathmandu. What sets it apart from many traditional NGOs is its hands-on, volunteer-driven approach. There are no bureaucratic delays or layers of red tape. When Petals intervenes, real change happens—fast.
Be it emergency animal rescues, winter relief distribution for the homeless, or education initiatives in slum areas—every project is executed with empathy, precision, and transparency. Through hundreds of food drives, rescue missions, and educational campaigns, the foundation continues to uplift lives that society often overlooks.
The Face of a New Generation of Changemakers
Shikhar Srivastava is not your typical social worker. He’s part of a new generation of changemakers who believe in taking action before waiting for perfect conditions. His unique model of combining social work with self-generated funding offers a blueprint for sustainable activism.
He’s also reshaping how we view compassion. In an era of social media noise, Shikhar and Petals Foundation represent authentic impact—one that doesn’t rely on flashy campaigns but on real, ground-level work.
Petals Foundation: More Than Just an NGO
With lakhs of lives already touched, the ripple effects of Petals Foundation are only growing. It’s not just a registered non-profit—it’s a grassroots revolution built on the core Indian values of seva (service), karuna (compassion), and sankalp (determination).
For those who wish to follow Shikhar’s work or contribute, Petals Foundation maintains a strong presence on Instagram and their Petalsfoundation serves as a hub for donations, volunteer opportunities, and stories of change.
