Mumbai: In the centre of a non-profit organisation’s office at Andheri hangs a portrait of a beaming young man with a simple philosophy printed alongside: “Maze karo (have fun) today, tomorrow and always.” For 22-year-old Anant Dwivedi — the young man in the portrait — these words were his life motto. After losing him to a tragic incident, his parents, Meera and Manoj Dwivedi, have made it their life’s mission to ensure no young person has to navigate the shadows of mental health struggles alone. The couple has channeled their profound grief into building the Anant Dwivedi Foundation, a non-profit organisation that works for mental health awareness and holistic development of children and young people.Anant’s story is one of a bright future interrupted by a singular, overwhelming moment of distress. After completing his engineering degree in Berlin, he returned to India in March 2025 for a mandatory internship. On June 30, 2025, he was meant to return to Germany. But a documentation hurdle at Mumbai airport changed everything. Anant was denied boarding as he wasn’t carrying a physical copy of his German residence permit. Distraught, he messaged his family to say he was on the flight, but instead travelled to a cafe in Juhu and later to a highrise in Goregaon East, where he ended his life.“Anant hasn’t gone away… the meaning of Anant is eternal. We see Anant in every youngster that needs help and support,” Manoj told TOI.The Dwivedis founded the non-profit in December 2025. Their goal was simple: start a conversation before crisis develops.After discussions with a youth advocacy group and drawing from their expertise, the Anant Dwivedi Foundation put together a team of counsellors to bring mental health awareness to schools and colleges.“After interactions with students, we hand out cards so they can reach out to us confidentially, if they wish to,” explained Meera. The issues children encounter range from academic pressure to social anxieties. In one instance, a student sought help after being bullied by other youngsters for assisting his father at a hair salon. The team helped him realise that his skills were valuable, leaving him with a sense of pride. The team also intervened in a case where a young girl was being forced by her family to get married early.Going beyond counseling, the non-profit works for holistic development of marginalised children. Scholarships have been instituted in 25 schools to finance the education and overall needs of students facing economic hardships. On the 14th of every month—Anant’s birth date— the non-profit observes ‘Anant Day’ at local orphanages, where they host sports tournaments and distribute meals and essential supplies to kids.Looking ahead, the Anant Dwivedi Foundation is finalising a dedicated mental health helpline which will be manned by trained volunteers. For Meera and Manoj, every young life saved or crisis averted is a tribute to their son.
