Welcome to FRIEND IN NEED INDIA TRUST (FIN)

Friend In Need India Trust (or FIN) is an NGO that functions as a teaching, training and action research laboratory. Its objective is to contribute to India’s national missions and the global development agenda (Sustainable Development Goals) with respect to sanitation, waste management and hygiene behaviour. Towards this end, FIN is active in the development of frugal innovations, livelihood projects, community actions, education and social science research.

Meet our Intern Meenu Anil!

December 7, 2025Hi! I’m Meenu Anil, a data scientist from Kottayam, Kerala, India. Known for its backwaters, rubber plantations, and strong educational tradition, Kottayam has played a big role in shaping my curiosity about the environment and society. I completed my postgraduation in Computer Science with a specialisation in Geospatial Analytics from Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT).   Currently, I’m an upcoming Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s student in Copernicus Digital Earth, a programme shared between Austria, the Czech Republic, and France, focusing on geoinformatics, Earth observation, GeoVisualization, Geocommunication, and GeoDatascience. Studying abroad has always been a dream — not just to deepen my academic journey, but also to meet new people, learn languages, explore different cultures and cuisines, and be part of global research that drives real-world impact.   My academic world usually revolves around maps, satellite images, remote sensing, coding, and data. But recently, I had the chance to step away from the screen and engage with real-world environmental practices through a remote internship with Friends in Need (FIN). I conducted fieldwork in Thiruvananthapuram to explore the use of Effective Microorganisms (EM) in sanitation and solid waste management. It gave me valuable experience in grassroots research and reminded me how important it is to connect scientific knowledge with community voices.   At first, this kind of work felt far removed from my academic background. I’m used to writing code, running geospatial models, and analysing datasets — not walking through neighbourhoods or speaking to people on the ground. But that’s what made the experience so powerful. I learned that real change comes from listening to people’s concerns, lived experiences, and their ideas for local solutions. Now, I’m preparing for my next chapter as an Erasmus Mundus student — and I’m filled with excitement, hope, and curiosity. I hope to pursue a PhD in geospatial science, focusing on how Earth observation technologies can support climate resilience and community preparedness. I want my work to bridge the gap between technology and real people — to solve problems not just on screens or paper, but in everyday lives.   This internship with FIN reminded me that growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone. It showed me that even when something seems unrelated to your background, it can still teach you something powerful — and sometimes, it’s exactly what you need.   #FriendInNeedIndiaTrust #FINInterns #LearningWithPurpose #EducationForAll #YouthForChange #SocialImpact #SkillDevelopment #CommunityLearning #DigitalIndia #EmpowerThroughEducation #InternshipExperience Ministry of Education NITI Aayog MyGovIndia [...] Read more...

World Toilet Day Awareness Drive at Maya Tungri Temple

December 7, 2025Ramgarh Cantt | 19 November 2025   On the occasion of World Toilet Day, Friend In Need India Trust (FIN) organized a special awareness program at the serene premises of Maya Tungri Temple. The aim was simple yet powerful — to spread awareness about cleanliness, personal hygiene, and community sanitation. As part of the initiative, FIN generously donated 4 dustbins to the temple premises to support a cleaner and more organized environment for devotees and visitors. The event began with the lighting of the lamp by: Shri Damodar Mahato, President, Maya Tungri Trust Shri Dinesh Kumar Pathak, Chief Priest & Trustee Member The entire program was smoothly coordinated and executed by Abhishek Pathak, whose efforts played a key role in spreading awareness among the local community. The Trust members emphasized that cleanliness is not just a habit — it is a responsibility we owe to our society. FIN aims to continue organizing such meaningful initiatives in the future.   Friend In Need India Trust has also taken on a new challenge — to help transform the Maya Tungri Temple into a Green & Blue Temple with Zero Waste within the next 2 years.     Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban MyGovIndia Ministry of Education Ministry of Ayush, Government of India Swachh Bharat Mission, India Manish Jaiswal #WorldToiletDay #friendinneedindia #ngo #Fintrust #sanitation [...] Read more...

World Toilet Day at FIN: A Season of Awareness, Art, and Action

December 7, 2025This year, our celebrations of World Toilet Day began on 14 November, Children’s Day, in the coastal village of Vizhundamavadi, where the spirit of environmental stewardship came alive through the eyes and colours of children.   Teaching Change Through Children Our programme at Jaya Nursery and Primary School focused on the broader theme of sanitation and hygiene, with a special emphasis on behavioural change. We spoke to children about why littering on beaches and in public places is harmful, how waste clogs rivers across Tamil Nadu, and what simple actions they could take to protect water bodies.    The children listened with remarkable attention. Their discipline, curiosity, and eagerness to understand the world around them stood out. Each child received a box of crayons — and for nearly two hours, the classroom transformed into a studio of creativity, hope, and environmental imagination.   Their task: Draw what pollution means to you — and how we can stop it.   The results were powerful. Below are reflections on the four prize-winning drawings, each a moving reminder of how children understand the environmental crisis far more clearly than most adults.   First Prize: A Crying Sun and a Polluted Beach by M. Sukesh (Vth Standard) The first drawing shows a vibrant landscape overshadowed by human neglect. The sun is drawn with tears, a striking metaphor that even the natural world mourns our actions. The skyline in the background hints at growing urbanisation, while the foreground shows a beach littered with bottles, sachets, and plastic bags. Two coconut trees stand tall beside a “USE ME” dustbin, a message from the young artist urging all of us to take responsibility. This drawing is powerful because the child has grasped a deep truth: pollution is not only harming animals and humans — it is hurting the Earth itself. Second Prize: The Dying River Ecosystem by S. Vibin (IVth Standard) The second artwork dives underwater, showing a once-living river now suffocated by waste. On the left, healthy green plants sway underwater — but on the right, life has faded into a skeletal, dying fish and barren tree. The contrast between the two halves shows a sophisticated understanding of ecosystems. The child has clearly depicted how pollution travels, spreads, and eventually destroys aquatic life.   This is environmental education in action — internalised, understood, and expressed poignantly. Third Prize: “Help Us!” — A Plea from Marine Life by R.K. Narguna Nandhana (IVth Standard) In this drawing, the seabed is strewn with plastic bags, bottles, and cups. A turtle trapped among the waste calls out, “Help us!”, while a whale swims nearby, looking on helplessly. A ship in the distance releases a large blob of waste into the ocean — a painful but accurate representation of how human activities poison marine ecosystems. What stands out is the child’s sharp awareness: pollution is not accidental — it is caused by us. Third Prize: A Pink Sea of Concern by M. Devasri (IIIrd Standard) The fourth winner used a bright pink sheet — but despite the cheerful background, the message is sobering. A child stands near a trash bin, pointing to the heaps of waste floating in the water. The sun once again wears a sad expression, echoing the theme of emotional environmentalism the children resonated with.   Fish, trees, mountains, and people all appear in this picture — a reminder that pollution affects every part of nature and every form of life. Celebrating Young Changemakers   At the end of the event, the students proudly displayed their posters. The prize winners received awards, the Headmaster Mrs. Jayapradha honoured the FIN team, and everyone came together for refreshments organised by FIN staff — steaming tea, sweet ladoos to brighten the day, and nutritious black peas sundal for energy. As we wrap up this first leg of our World Toilet Day season, we at FIN are reminded once again of why we do this work. Children see clearly. They understand consequences. They are not afraid to imagine a cleaner world. And it is our duty to help them build it. Ministry of Education Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban MyGovIndia Swachh Bharat The Children’s Place #ChildrensDay #ChildrensDay2025 #friendinneedindia #ngo #change #savewater #saveenvironment [...] Read more...

World Toilet Day Talk at HILSR, School of Law, Jamia Hamdard by Prof. Shyama V. Ramani, Founder of Friend In Need India

December 7, 2025On November 19 (World Toilet Day), I delivered a workshop at HILSR, School of Law, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi. My thanks to Dr. Sadaf Fatima for the invitation and coordination.   Two smiling female students of the organisation committee met me on arrival and guided me to the venue — a thoughtful gesture that I appreciated greatly. The session began with something I had never experienced before in my academic career: a reading from the Qur’an, first recited in Arabic by a male student, followed by an English translation by another. The introduction and closing remarks were given by female students. I explained the origins of Friend In Need India or FIN and how my work as a social entrepreneur has influenced my thinking and research. Thereafter, the session covered key concepts linking economic growth, development, and sustainable development, including the triple bottom line and the role of public policy. We examined global and national sanitation trends, the persistence of open defecation, and why behavioural change remains difficult to legislate. Using interactive Wooclap questions, we explored how sanitation, water, waste management, and community engagement intersect within the broader SDG framework.   The audience was attentive, engaged, and participated actively in the Wooclap-based quiz on sanitation and sustainability. Their questions and observations added depth to the discussion.   I was given a bouquet and a plate as a token from the institution, and I thank them for it, especially Dr. Sadaf Fatima who had organised the warm welcome and reception so efficiently.   Overall, it was a constructive and memorable interaction with the students and faculty of HILSR. [...] Read more...

Proud Moment for Friend in Need India Trust

August 17, 2025On 15th August 2025, the 79th Independence Day celebrations were held in a grand manner at the Nagapattinam District Collectorate.     In this event, our NGO, Friend In India Trust got felicitated. We participated in a competition held by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board several months ago. We were awarded the Green Champion Award 2024 today. The award was received by our Financial Trustee, Mrs. Raji Srikant, from Nagapattinam Collector Thiru P. Akash. This award has given our organization the motivation and interest to work with greater enthusiasm and effort for all our future projects.     On behalf of our villagers, friends, beneficiaries, FIN Staff and especially on behalf of the founder and director Dr. Shyama V. Ramani, I would like to thank everyone.   Field Manager, P.S. Paranjothi Friend In Need India Trust. 15 August, 2025   Nagapattinam Collector Nagapattinam MLA Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR Nagapattinam/நாகப்பட்டினம் [...] Read more...

FIN’s Green Academy Programme – May Children’s Camp!

June 8, 2025For the fourth year in a row, FIN Trust offered a summer camp during the school holidays in Kameswaram village. Started in 2022, the May camp has always been a great success!     Taking a maximum of 20 children, every afternoon, they came to our field office to enjoy a multi-activity programme. This includes meditation, singing, dancing, learning about waste management through games, learning to cooperate and coordinate through team games, and craft-making from waste. Each week a different craft is made. Different children enjoyed different activities more, but all children preferred to come to the camp rather than stay at home! And as for their parents – we are sure they also relished having time to themselves, knowing that their children were enjoying and learning at our summer camp!           See for yourself in this news bulletin of Tamil Nadu 360 channel! Nagapattinam Collector Nagapattinam MLA Ministry of Education     [...] Read more...

Professor–Inventor Dr. Muthukumaran Visits Kameswaram

May 31, 2025We were honoured and delighted to receive Prof. S. Muthukumaran at Kameswaram!  A heartfelt thank you for your inspiring visit, Sir. We are excited to explore the use of Muther’s Magic Bags to clean our local ponds and make Kameswaram shine!  Here is his message to us after the visit:   Dear Sir/ Madam, I am happy to share that I had visited Kameswaram village and it was a wonderful experience. First of all I congratulate respected Ramani Madam and her team for the wonderful efforts. Highlights of Dr. Muthukumaran’s Visit: Pond Cleaning Drive – Conducted a cleaning session with local villagers using Muther’s Magic Bags. Fureboat Demo – Discussed adapting the Fureboat as both an icebox and emergency rescue boat to help prevent fishing boat tragedies (~25,000 deaths globally, 500 in India annually). Magic Learning Game – Introduced the Magic Learning by Magic Bag (MLMB) game to kids and distributed gifts to all participants! FIN Activity Tour – Observed the ongoing initiatives of Friend In Need India Trust (FIN). Stakeholder Interactions – Engaged with community members to envision a model, self-sustained Kameswaram.   With gratitude, Dr. S. Muthukumaran Professor, NIT Trichy & Founder, Fureboat Pvt Ltd   Information on Muther’s Magic bag: https://www.nitt.edu/…/depa…/meta/faculty/smuthu/MMB.pdf Information on Fureboat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-SG06AFbxg   Contact Details: Prof. Dr. S. Muthukumaran smuthu@nitt.edu Nagapattinam Collector Nagapattinam MLA             [...] Read more...

World Water Day 2025 SUCCESSFUL WEBINAR!!

March 31, 2025The World Water Day Webiz entitled “From Dirty to Blue: How Can Beaches Be Transformed Sustainably?” conducted on March 22, 2025, explored the challenges and solutions for achieving cleaner and more sustainable beaches. It delved into the criteria for earning the prestigious Blue Flag certification, highlighting the systemic changes required to improve beach environments. Organised by Friend In Need India Trust (FIN) and SITE4Sustainability, in collaboration with Plastic Punch and MSP, the event featured discussions on critical topics, including plastic pollution, municipal waste management, behavioural change, and technological innovations. There were about 100 people who participated out of the 152 who registered. 35 on average in zoom and the rest on youtube.   First, Samyuktha Vijay and Anirvin Srivatsan, students of IIT, Chennai, conducted a quiz so that the audience got to know about what a blue certification was, how it could be obtained and the pros and cons of blue certification.     Maria Tomai from Virginia Tech then examined how obtaining and maintaining a Blue Flag certification is akin to a complex system transformation. She laid the foundation by outlining the various criteria that must be seamlessly integrated into such a project, emphasizing the multi-faceted approach required for long-term success.     Next, Maximilian Bruder from the Stockholm Environment Institute presented the case study of Kameswaram Beach, recently announced as a candidate for Blue Flag certification. He detailed the key pillars of infrastructural investment, drawing from the lead document that outlines necessary developments, insights from other Blue Flag certified beaches in India, and findings from a pulse survey conducted by FIN.     Richmond Kennedy Quarcoo, Executive Director of Plastic Punch, provided an in-depth look into plastic waste issues and the organization’s efforts to generate data for evidence-based policymaking. Their remarkable work in Ghana, particularly their ability to mobilize communities in a meaningful and impactful way, served as a source of inspiration for all.     Victor Neequaye Kotey from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly provided valuable insights into the role of municipalities and the challenges faced by governing bodies in managing waste and maintaining clean beaches. His open and humble approach to tackling this enormous issue resonated with the audience, and his innovative ideas on collaborating with the informal sector stood out as particularly impactful.   Dr. Arnab Banerjee from the University of the Arts London broke down the fundamental principles of behavioral economics related to ‘nudges’ in a way that was both accessible and engaging for the audience. He explored the dynamics of behavioral change through nudging and proposed creative, well-thought-out interventions specifically tailored for the transformation of Kameswaram Beach.     Prof. Dr. S. Muthukumaran from NIT-Tiruchirappalli, a distinguished academic inventor, presented two innovative frugal technological solutions: Fureboat and Muther’s Magic Bag. These solutions, proven effective in multiple regions, can play a crucial role in achieving the goal of garbage-free water bodies by efficiently tackling waste accumulation and promoting clean-up efforts.     The expert moderation by Prof. Shyama Ramani and Dr. Raja Venkataramani fostered deeper insights, while Abhishek Pathak ensured seamless organization and Nikhil P M outreach effectively expanded the program’s impact. By integrating academic and practitioner insights, behavioural interventions, and innovative technologies, the program provided a comprehensive roadmap for sustainable beach transformation.     We would like to thank all the speakers and the audience for making this program a grand success!   #WorldWaterDay2025 #InnovationForSustainability #CleanBeaches #EnvironmentalLeadership United Nations Narendra Modi Nagapattinam Collector Water.org Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India UN-Water Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR Water Woman Waterdrop Swachh Bharat Mission, India United Nations India [...] Read more...

FIN and Engineers without Borders (EWB) and their sanitation adventure!

November 16, 2024Since 2022, FIN has been collaborating with Engineers without Borders (EWB) to explore and promote innovative solutions to problems linked to the WaSH sector (water, sanitation and hygiene). Every year, FIN offers challenges from the Kameswaram village context to EWB, to be proposed to hundreds of students in Ireland. In 2022, the challenge was to create “frugal designs” to improve access to safe sanitation. (https://www.facebook.com/finindia/posts/pfbid0YziVbdVHFmk2Yi4JUPpwb8hdbHkEVppDR4S2joTrHgwbEakmVHMeyUH3ZA5bLWojl).   In that competition special mention was given to “The Grow Better with Ecosan animation video” by a team from NCAD Dublin. This idea came from John. Prof. Shyama Ramani, FIN founder-director liked the innovation very much and you’ll see how it has been integrated in Kameswaram.   In the meantime, we welcome you to e-meet John over the next few posts where he explains the Who? What? Why? How? and a lot more of this AI/IoT based e-innovation for sanitation!   Let’s start with the first question – Who are you John? Tell us about yourself.     #WorldToiletDay2024 #SDG6 #Toilets4all #SwachhBharat #sanitation #moefcc #WASH #toilets #ToiletPrevilege #UN_Water #Sanitation4all   United Nations United Nations India Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, RD & GR, Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban Swachh Bharat Mission, India Swachh Bharat [...] Read more...