Giving Is Living: Deepak Sharma’s 17-Year Journey of Service, Compassion and Purpose

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From mentoring children at Udayan Care to inspiring millions through his story, Deepak Sharma’s journey reflects the power of kindness, generosity and a life dedicated to giving back.

Some people measure success through professional achievements, awards and recognition. Others find their greatest accomplishment in the lives they have touched and the smiles they have helped create. Deepak Sharma belongs to the latter category. His remarkable 17-year volunteering journey with Udayan Care, which began in 2009, is a powerful reminder that true fulfilment comes not just from what we achieve for ourselves but also from what we give to others.

Titled “My Life, My Purpose: A Journey of Giving – Practising the Philosophy of Giving Is Living,” his story is one of gratitude, compassion, perseverance and an unwavering commitment to making a difference.

A Journey Rooted in Gratitude

For Deepak, life itself is a blessing. He begins his story by expressing gratitude to God for the life he has been given and remembering his late parents, whose love, support and values continue to guide him.

He believes that whatever he has achieved and whatever he has become is deeply connected to the foundation his parents built for him. Their blessings remain his greatest strength and a constant source of inspiration.

His journey of giving back began with a simple intention: to guide, mentor and support people who needed a helping hand.

17 Years with Udayan Care: More Than Volunteering, A Second Family

In 2009, Deepak began his association with Udayan Care. What initially started as a volunteering initiative gradually became one of the most meaningful relationships of his life.

He fondly describes the organisation as his second home and the children as his extended family. When he first joined, at what he humorously describes as just 49 years young, he was full of energy and enthusiasm. His initial responsibilities were simple but meaningful. He spent time with children, helped them with their studies, listened to their experiences and participated in their everyday activities.

Over time, he discovered an important truth: making a difference does not always require extraordinary actions. Sometimes, it simply means being present, listening patiently, offering encouragement and showing someone that they matter.

These small moments gradually shaped his philosophy of life.

Turning Challenges into Strength

As the years passed, Deepak’s involvement with Udayan Care expanded. Beyond mentoring children, he became actively involved in fundraising initiatives, spreading awareness and encouraging more people to support the organisation’s mission.

However, the journey was not always easy.

Witnessing the struggles faced by children was emotionally challenging. Fundraising required continuous effort, dedication and the ability to overcome disappointments. There were moments of exhaustion and uncertainty.

Yet he continued.

Every smile from a child, every expression of gratitude and every small milestone became a reminder of why he had started this journey.
These experiences taught him patience, resilience and the importance of remaining committed to a purpose, even during difficult times.

The Greatest Achievement: Seeing Children Become Independent

For Deepak, the most rewarding part of his 17-year journey is not a trophy, certificate or public recognition. It is seeing children grow into confident, independent individuals.

The phone calls and messages from former Udayan Care children, who are now working, building their careers and leading independent lives, bring him immense happiness.

Knowing that he played even a small role in their development gives him a sense of fulfilment that no award can replace.
For him, success is not simply about how far an individual progresses in life, but also about how many lives that individual helps along the way

From Personal Experiences to a Global Audience

Deepak’s inspiring journey has also reached audiences beyond his immediate community.

One of the most remarkable moments came when he was featured on the channel of MrBeast, one of the world’s most popular YouTube creators. The video has received over 30 million views, giving his story and the spirit of giving an opportunity to reach a massive global audience.

Watch the feature:
https://youtu.be/HhBhWdoXSdg

He was also invited to share his experiences on Josh Talks, where he spoke about his journey, life lessons and the importance of making a positive difference.

Watch his Josh Talks presentation:
https://youtu.be/Iz2g93_D-20

These opportunities have allowed him to take his message of kindness, compassion and social responsibility to a wider audience.

WINGS TO FLY: Recognition for a Meaningful Mission

Another significant milestone in Deepak’s journey is his book, WINGS TO FLY, which recently received an International Documentary Film Award, as shared by him.

For Deepak, this recognition represents more than an individual accomplishment. It celebrates the collective efforts of everyone who believes in empowering children and creating opportunities for a better future. He has also been recognised as the highest individual fundraiser in the VDHM editions of 2024, 2025 and 2026.

He is quick to acknowledge that these achievements would not have been possible without the generosity of supporters, volunteers, staff members and everyone who continues to believe in the cause.He considers these recognitions shared achievements rather than personal victories.

Documentary:

The Philosophy of Giving Is Living

After 17 years of volunteering, Deepak has developed a simple yet powerful understanding of life. He believes that kindness is one of the greatest forms of wealth, consistency matters more than occasional grand gestures, and genuine happiness often comes from helping others. His philosophy is rooted in the belief that life should not revolve entirely around personal achievements. It should also be about the positive difference we can make in the lives of others.

For him, giving is not limited to money or material support. It can be time, knowledge, encouragement, mentorship, compassion or simply standing beside someone when they need support.

A Journey That Continues with Gratitude

Looking back, Deepak expresses gratitude for every experience, including the difficult moments that made him stronger and the successes that gave him hope.

He remains deeply thankful to God and to his late parents for the values that continue to shape his life. His story is a reminder that meaningful change often begins with one individual deciding to care.
Seventeen years ago, he began with a simple intention to guide and support children. Today, that intention has grown into a lifelong commitment to service, compassion and empowerment.

As Deepak continues his journey, his message remains simple:

“Giving Is Living.”

Because ultimately, the true measure of a meaningful life is not just what we receive from the world, but what we contribute to it.

Connect with Deepak Sharma