Welcome to the Memorial fund we have created to help fulfill the dreams of our brother, son, mentor and advisor: Amitabh Bhatnagar aka AB.
As many of you may be aware, Amitabh tragically and unexpectedly passed away on December 7th, 2022 in Cambridge, Ontario. If you have received this link, please know that you were important in Amitabh's life so feel free to share this link with others so that together we can help accomplish his dream.
Amitabh had a great love for children and helping those most vulnerable and regularly supported children's initiatives without any fanfare. In 2019, on a trip to India he hosted a party for orphans in the SOS Village in Jaipur, Rajasthan. He was so moved by the experience, he said "it was one of the best days of his life".
The Amitabh Bhatnagar Memorial Fund was created to achieve this objective. It is with the intention to fulfill his dreams and goals that we have set up this fundraising page in his memory as a legacy project. Although in the initial stages, this ambitious mission aims to give opportunity to those disadvantaged, to offer them hope and inspiration, to help them realize their own dreams.
In honour of him and to continue his legacy, we have set up The Amitabh Bhatnagar Memorial Fund via a planned giving foundation maintained by TD Bank. The funds we raise will be a source of capital for the orphanages in India with a view of enhancing the life experience of the children. To assist you in contributing to this fund, we have set up a donation system through CanadaHelps.org. Any and all donations can be simply made through this site, providing you with a Canadian donation receipt.
For those friends and family who knew Amitabh and valued the service he unselfishly provided -- not only as an accountant but as a solid source of wisdom and support for many -- please help us preserve the legacy Amitabh envisioned. Amitabh had a very generous and giving heart, which many of you may have experienced.
As a part of this mission, the children will be offered opportunities and exposure to the arts and sports that may not be available to them in their current environment -- soccer balls, baseballs and gloves, guitars, flutes, film-making equipment - opening their eyes, giving them a connection to opportunities available in the world. Our combined efforts will provide much needed relief to children and families who need it most.
join us in providing this unique experience of hope and inspiration to these children a world away. It's incredible what a spark of hope can do. Thank you for supporting this ongoing fundraiser effort in memory of Amitabh and children in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Amitabh Bhatnagar was born in Jaipur, India, on (May 26, 1964). He emigrated to Canada and settled in Trenton, Ontario in 1967 where he grew up in a small town, military, Canadian, community (as a first Indian family there). Growing up in Trenton, his devoted parents encouraged him to participate in the entire Canadian experience! Amitabh played hockey, successfully participated in Track and Field, played Basketball and did exceptionally well in his academics. He graduated Grade 8, as Valedictorian because of his impact and ability to stand out despite being visibly different from everyone else. While attending Trenton High School, Amitabh was on the basketball team, along with several other sports and managed to add value to every team he was on.
After graduating from High School, Amitabh subsequently attended University of Western Ontario where he completed his (Bachelor of Arts in Business) with a focus in accounting and finance. He later tried a number of entrepreneurial activities which included investing in a restaurant. From there, Amitabh went to Wilfrid Laurier University and studied the Chartered Professional Accounting program, completing the in-depth tax course, and graduating as a CPA in (1990). He worked for a large, Toronto accounting organization before breaking out and starting his own practice in 1994. In the following 30 years, Amitabh built a large accounting practice with a diverse industry client base of hundreds of clients over the years. He was well respected and recognized within the profession for his commitment and service to the needs of his extended client base.
In 2019, Amitabh travelled to the Jaipur orphanage, SOS Children's Village, and sponsored a luncheon for 100 children. Delicious party food was served, along with several skill demonstrations and celebrations. This day left a lasting impact on Amitabh. He began to envision his purpose in connection to his heritage. It was like the Universe was showing him, this is what you can do. From that moment, Amitabh began sharing his idea with his business associate and friend, Sharad Goel. They discussed how they could help this disadvantaged community a world away, to bridge the gap between that world and themselves, who are no different, except their parents happened to come to Canada. Upon Amitabh's untimely passing, Sharad was asked to continue the legacy of his practice and realize his ultimate mission of helping the disadvantaged children of his country.
We are working with SOS Children’s Villages to raise funds to provide abandoned, orphaned, and vulnerable children with a caring, loving, and secure family environment.
With your support, SOS Children’s Villages will create loving and nurturing homes for orphaned and abandoned children, help strengthen families and communities to prevent the crises that lead to child abandonment.
Please donate to this page to help fulfill Amitabh's dreams of educating 12 orphaned children through college completion.
SOS Children’s Villages is an international children's charity that offers safe and nurturing family homes to over 80,000 orphaned and abandoned children in over 130 countries and territories around the world. For more information about the charity, go to www.soschildrensvillages.ca
This emphasizes the focus on nurturing their personal growth and readiness for the future.
Why So Many Orphans in India?
India has the second largest population in the world, with 1.35 billion people. About 160 million of the population are children below the age of six. Of these children, 30 million are orphans which makes up a significant portion of the youth population, and only 370,000 of them are in childcare institutions. There are numerous reasons that there is such a large number. Firstly, many children in India are orphans as a result of parents not being able to pay for them, or the child escaping a dangerous situation. With more than half of the country living in poverty, many parents abandon their children instead of attempting to care for them, according to the International Learning Movement (ILM). Then there is also the grueling process of adoption in India. The Ministry of Women and Child Development conducted one study in 2016-17 and found that there are 9,589 orphanages. Of these, 91% are non-government so only 9% of them receive federal support.
Sharad and Amitabh with Dr. Jai Goel from Jodhpur
Party for orphans in the SOS Village in Jaipur, Rajasthan in 2019
As a Canadian Charity, our mission is only possible through the generous support of our donors and partners across the country. Your gifts makes a remarkable difference to lives of youth facing barriers. Please help us and donate today.
-Managing Director-
Sharad Goel BSc CPA
Sharad has practiced as a public accountant for over 40 years, mainly tax planning and financial advisory services. A longtime friend of Amitabh, he is committed to ensuring his vision for the empowering disadvantaged youth is faithfully executed.
-Executive Director-
-Advising Director-
Doug Jung B.COMM CPA CFP
Doug is actively engaged in his boutique tax and financial consulting services practice founded in 1997. A fellow colleague and friend of Amitabh, he is supporting the Fund initiative to further the advancement and opportunities for all youth.
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