Founded 2011 — a single conviction, fourteen years of evidence.
Meer Foundation was founded by Amir Hashmi in December 2011 with one premise: institutions must be able to demonstrate, with evidence that would convince a skeptical observer, that the communities they touch are measurably better because of their presence.
The story behind Meer Foundation
Before Meer Foundation was a 12-district operation, it was a question: how do we know that an institution's work is actually making the communities it touches measurably better? Fourteen years later, that question remains the foundation's North Star.
The question
How does an institution prove — to a skeptical observer — that its presence has measurably improved the communities it serves? This is the founding question.
The answer
Working with people, never for them. Building architecture that demonstrates outcomes, not activity. Instilling agency, not dependency.
The evidence
15 years. 1 lakh+ households. 860+ SHGs. 90 km river walked. 12 districts. Every programme mapped to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
“Working with people, never for them. The strength of the strongest pillar cannot compensate for the weakness of the weakest.”
Amir Hashmi — architect of the Five Pillars
Formally Dr. Sayed Amir Mustafa Hashmi, the founder's work across rural Chhattisgarh — from the 90-kilometre Sakri River Walk to the formation of 860+ women's Self-Help Groups — is the empirical foundation of the Five Pillars Framework.
Amir Hashmi founded Meer Foundation in 2011 with a single conviction: institutions must be able to demonstrate, with evidence that would convince a skeptical observer, that the communities they touch are measurably better because of their presence.
His work across Chhattisgarh — from the 90-kilometre Sakri River Walk to the formation of 860+ women's Self-Help Groups — is the empirical foundation of the Five Pillars Framework, a communication framework for transparent, evidence-based institutional communication that he sets out in his book of the same name.
Under his leadership, Meer Foundation has reached over one lakh households across twelve districts of Chhattisgarh, with a focus on marginalised Dalit and Tribal communities. The foundation's work is consistently aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Self-reliant rural communities across Chhattisgarh — built through education, environment, health, livelihood, and women empowerment, all measured against the Betterment Question.
Recruit professionals with diverse expertise and a commitment to empathy. Prioritise skill development within communities rather than imposing solutions. Instil agency and self-determination.
From a 2011 registration to a 12-district operation
Fourteen years of work, told in seven inflection points. Each entry is verifiable — through annual reports, registration documents, field reports, and press coverage.
The Foundation is registered
On 23 December 2011, Meer Foundation is registered under the Chhattisgarh Society Registration Act 1973 (44), Reg. No. 3588, in Dhamtari. Amir Hashmi begins with a single conviction: institutions must be able to demonstrate, with evidence, that the communities they touch are measurably better because of their presence.
Listening, not delivering
The first two years are spent not on programmes but on listening. Field teams walk through tribal hamlets in Dhamtari, Kanker, and Bastar — documenting what households actually need, not what an institution assumed they needed. This is the empirical seed of the Five Pillars Framework.
Bolti Nadi — let the river speak
Meer Foundation launches Bolti Nadi, the Save River Initiative, with a single premise: a river that cannot speak for itself must be given a voice. The mission is to make rural Chhattisgarh drought-free through community-led river restoration.
Sakri River Walk + Tiranga World Record
A 90-kilometre on-foot expedition along the Sakri River documents water quality, agricultural dependence, and ecosystem conditions. The report triggers riverbank plantation, check dams, and a sewage treatment plant. Days earlier, on 11 August, the foundation partners in a 15-km human chain — the Meri Jaan Tiranga Hai rally in Raipur.
Farmours — from subsistence to enterprise
Through the pandemic and beyond, Meer Foundation scales Farmours — empowering 12,000+ women farmers through Self-Help Groups, Farmer Producer Organisations, and grassroots governance training. 860+ SHGs and 35 block-level federations take root across 12 districts.
12A, 80G, CSR-1 secured
Section 12A (AACAM4289JE20241) and 80G (AACAM4289JF20241) are approved on 08-07-2024. CSR-1 (CSR00075824) follows on 16-07-2024. Meer Foundation is now eligible for CSR funding and 80G tax-deductible donations — a 13-year compliance journey completed.
1 lakh+ households · 12 districts · 7 initiatives
Meer Foundation today reaches over one lakh households across twelve districts of Chhattisgarh, with seven active initiatives spanning education, environment, health, livelihood, women empowerment, research, and emerging media. Every programme is governed by the Five Pillars Framework (A-E-I-O-M) and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Verifiable milestones — not slogans
Every number below is sourced from audited annual reports, field reports, or independently verifiable public records. Activity is not outcome — outcome is what an institution can demonstrate.
Sakri River Walk
90-km on-foot river expedition. Report triggered riverbank plantation, check dams, desilting, and a sewage treatment plant.
Tiranga World Record
15-kilometre human chain in Raipur — 'Meri Jaan Tiranga Hai' rally. A historic expression of national unity.
Social Heritage Walk
Every World Heritage Day, youth worldwide dedicate one hour to a nearby heritage site — capturing the legacy of our cities.
Principles that shaped the foundation
Auto-advancing slides of the founder's key principles, inflection moments, and verifiable milestones — pause on any slide to read in full.
What began in 2011 with a single registered office in Dhamtari today reaches over one lakh households — across twelve districts of Chhattisgarh, with a focus on marginalised Dalit and Tribal communities.
Why this matters
These are not slogans. Each slide is a principle the founder has held since 2011 — and each is empirically verifiable through Meer Foundation's fourteen years of audited work across rural Chhattisgarh.
How well do you know our story?
Five short questions on the founder, the founding year, and the milestones that built Meer Foundation. Pass with 60% to earn a certificate of completion.
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Download, read, verify
Founder profile, field reports, press coverage, and the latest annual report. Every PDF is sourced from Meer Foundation's audited archive.
Resource library
6 of 6Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Amir Hashmi — formally Dr. Sayed Amir Mustafa Hashmi — founded Meer Foundation in December 2011. It was registered on 23 December 2011 under the Chhattisgarh Society Registration Act 1973 (44), Reg. No. 3588.