By Ashmita Badoni
About Vaidehi Pagaria
Vaidhei Pagaria is a Rank Holder Chartered Accountant, educator, and passionate philanthropist dedicated to driving social change. As the CEO of Pagaria Welfare Foundation, she leads initiatives in health, education, and rural development, focusing on community learning, toy libraries, and menstrual hygiene management. Her commitment to women’s empowerment extends to Project Laadli, an initiative addressing menstruation, marriage, pregnancy, and gender equality in tribal and rural communities. Beyond her social endeavors, she has an extensive professional background as a Director at Pagaria Advisory Private Limited and Pagaria Technologies Private Limited, specializing in fintech solutions. Recognized for her impact, she has received multiple accolades, including the 40 Under 40 CA Business Leader Award (2025) and the Man of UAE (2021) honor. A dedicated member of the #LivingMyPromise community, she has committed 50% of her wealth to philanthropy, reinforcing her mission to create opportunities and bring smiles to those in need.
Meet the CA-Turned-Philanthropist Empowering 10,000+ Girls Through Menstrual Awareness with #LivingMyPromise
1. You transitioned from being a Chartered Accountant to a full-time changemaker. What inspired this shift, and how did you take the leap?“We rise by lifting others.” This belief has been the foundation of my life’s journey—one that took me from boardrooms to villages, from financial ledgers to community impact.
Growing up, I was surrounded by stories of selfless giving. In my family, Daan (the act of giving) wasn’t just an occasional gesture; it was a way of life. However, like most, I followed a conventional career path—excelling in academics, securing a rank in the Chartered Accountancy exams, and later, establishing myself in finance, law, and business. The corporate world provided stability and recognition, but something felt incomplete. The turning point came when I started volunteering with eVidyaloka, an NGO bridging the educational divide in rural India. I began teaching students in KGBV Sarwa (Jharkhand) and Jhakhangaon (Maharashtra), and what I experienced changed me forever. I saw young girls dropping out of school due to a lack of menstrual awareness and mothers who sacrificed their own aspirations to ensure their families survived. The more I engaged with these communities, the clearer it became I could not remain a passive observer. Realizing that change needed to be structured and scalable, I founded Pagaria Welfare Foundation (PWF) in 2019.
2. Was there a defining moment in your life that made you realize the urgent need for initiatives like Project Laadli?There wasn’t just one moment—it was a series of heartbreaking encounters that led to the birth of Project Laadli. But if I had to choose a defining moment, it would be the day I met a 13- year-old girl in a rural village during one of my community visits. She was bright, curious, and full of dreams, but on the verge of dropping out of school. The reason? She had just started menstruating. Unaware of all this, she was unaware how to manage it and thought she was sick, cursed, or being punished. This silence wasn’t just hers—it was shared by millions of girls across rural India who start their periods without any knowledge, support, or resources. Thus, Project Laadli was born—not just as an initiative, but as a movement to reclaim dignity, break myths, and ensure that menstruation is never a reason for a girl to stop dreaming.
3. Project Laadli has already impacted 10,000+ girls. Can you share a story of a girl whose life has been transformed through your initiative?Among the thousands of girls Project Laadli has impacted, one story that truly inspires me is that of Kajal from Gaura village, Jamui district, Bihar. She was struggling with silence and stigma around menstruation, along with her own health. She was experiencing irregular periods, severe cramps, and other symptoms of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)—but she had no idea what was happening to her body. One day, she came across our online Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) session, and it changed everything for her.
She joined Project Laadli as an on-ground trainer, becoming a mentor and educator for girls in her community.
4. Menstrual hygiene remains a taboo in many parts of India. How do you navigate resistance from families and communities when introducing these discussions?It is a deeply rooted taboo in many parts of India, families don’t discuss, schools rarely address it. At Project Laadli, we begin with storytelling and use Menstrupedia Comics. We teach them how the reproductive system works in simple terms. We demonstrate different menstrual products- disposable pads, menstrual cups and tampons. We also conduct separate sessions for mothers and elders to answer their doubts. We also have free or subsidized sanitary products. First, the resistance is strong. But with consistent conversations, interactive learning, and trusted community voices, we see change happening.
5. Why is it crucial to start educating young girls about social issues and financial independence from an early age?Educating young girls about social issues and financial independence from an early age is not just important, it’s essential for building a future where they can lead empowered lives. It helps break the cycle of inequality, build confidence, help in financial independence and creates a generation of changemakers.
6. What are some of the key skills you believe every young girl should have to secure a better future?They should have Financial Literacy, Confidence & Communication, Digital & Tech Skills, critical Thinking, good health and social awareness along with other skills.
7. You have pledged to donate 50% of your wealth to social causes. What motivated you to become a promisor of #LivingMyPromise?Becoming a #LivingMyPromise promisor was not a sudden decision, I’ve seen how access or the lack of it can define someone’s future. Whether it was a girl dropping out of school due to period stigma or a child losing opportunities due to financial hardship, these moments reinforced my belief that true change begins when we act. Through this promise of 50% I aim to uplift children, empower women, and create systemic change in underserved communities. This helps me in giving back, in leaving a legacy of goodness, and in ensuring that success contributes to a greater cause.
8. How do you think initiatives like #LivingMyPromise can inspire more women to engage in philanthropy?
Initiatives like #LivingMyPromise have the power to inspire, connect, and mobilize more women into philanthropy. When women see other women pledging their wealth for social good, it creates a ripple effect of inspiration, it creates a space where women philanthropists can connect, collaborate, and amplify their impact.
9. If you had one wish for the future of young girls in India, what would it be? To have an equal, free, and safe learning space where she can explore, evolve, grow, and educate herself without fear, bias, or limitations. Because when a girl is given the right environment to thrive, she doesn’t just change her own life, she transforms her family, her community, and the generations to come.
