These Are the Real Heroes: Ghaziabad Man Offers School Uniforms for ₹1, Spends 5% of Startup Earnings on the Poor

Ghaziabad, February 2:
In an inspiring example of grassroots social service, farmer and entrepreneur Chaudhary Surinder from Rajnagar Extension’s Raispur area in Ghaziabad has launched a unique initiative — a “Cloth Bank” — aimed at restoring dignity and confidence among underprivileged children.

Through this Cloth Bank, needy children can obtain a complete school uniform for just one rupee. The symbolic price ensures that beneficiaries do not feel they are receiving charity, but rather accessing a service with self-respect and equality.

‘Service, Not Charity’

Surinder said the idea behind charging one rupee was to preserve the dignity of the beneficiaries.

“We did not want anyone to feel they were begging. Even one rupee gives a sense of ownership and respect. The goal is not just clothing, but confidence and dignity,” he said.

Each beneficiary can avail clothes up to four times a year, ensuring fair distribution and preventing misuse.

From Struggle to Service

Surinder’s journey to social service is deeply rooted in personal hardship. Despite severe financial constraints, he completed a BTech degree in Civil Engineering. His parents supported his education by rearing livestock and selling milk and ghee, often under extreme pressure.

“These struggles shaped my thinking. When you rise despite hardship, you feel responsible to lift others,” Surinder said.

Run with Friends, Backed by a Startup

The Cloth Bank is run collectively with Surinder’s friends — Deepak, Satendra, Rohit, Prince, Suraj, Sumit, Monu, Arjun, Sandeep and others. Currently, the bank has over 1,000 complete uniforms available for children.

The initiative is financially supported by Surinder’s startup/FPO, Atmanirbhar Bharat Mart, which deals in milk and ghee products, spices, wheat flour, millet flour, gram flour, mustard oil and honey. Five percent of the startup’s earnings are dedicated exclusively to running the Cloth Bank.

Growing Impact

So far, around 60 children have benefitted from the initiative. Strict rules ensure that no family takes more than required, keeping the system transparent and sustainable.

A Model Worth Replicating

More than a welfare project, Surinder’s Cloth Bank stands as a model of dignified social entrepreneurship, proving that meaningful change does not always require large institutions — only commitment, compassion and integrity.

In an era often dominated by headlines of conflict and division, Surinder’s initiative quietly reminds society that true heroes are those who serve without seeking applause.