SPJIMR > Alumni > > Aaboo Varghese
Winner 2020

Aaboo Varghese
Winner 2020

  • Year of graduation: 2015
  • Academic Programme: PGPDM
  • Current Organisation: Purnata NGO, Amoli Handicrafts Private Limited
  • Current Designation: Founder Executive Director (Purnata NGO)
    Founder Director (Amoli Handicrafts Private Limited)
Career Progression
Current Organisation
Social Impact
Awards/Achievements
Organisation Designation Tenure
Amoli Handicrafts Private Limited Founder Director November 2018 – present
Purnata Founder Executive Director May 2014 – present
Oasis India National Director Faithworks
National Director – Anti-Human Trafficking& Aftercare
Joint Executive Director
National Director – Projects		 July 2008 – April 2014
UESI Urban Dept. Secretary January 1993 – June 2008
OM India Team Leader April 1990 – December 1992

In 2015 Aaboo founded Purnata organisation dedicated to fighting human trafficking. Purnata is part of a five-year GFC initiative, Combatting Child Trafficking in India, which supports a network of grassroots organisations tackling child trafficking and hazardous labour in their home communities. The three prevention focuses of Purnata are: reducing the vulnerability of potential victims in source areas, increasing impediments to traffickers along transit routes, and reducing the demand for trafficking in destinations.

In addition to prevention, Purnata focuses on empowering individuals and communities. In Mumbai, this GFC partner runs a drop-in centre and a day-care centre where women and children can feel safe and participate in recreational and educational programmes. Purnata also runs a rehabilitation centre and works with local officials to coordinate rescue operations.

Through Purnata, Aaboo has spearheaded ground-breaking initiatives, rescuing over 45 women, rehabilitating 30 individuals, and liberating more than 70 minors from the clutches of trafficking. His tireless efforts have also educated over 200,000 individuals on human trafficking.

Purnata’s Mission

The Company will be a vibrant and ethical business initiative, providing a fair and safe environment driven by survivors of Human Trafficking with an aim to excel in a professional setup and be self-sustaining by producing and delivering the best service to match every customer’s expectations. Here, survivors are on a journey where they continue to experience healing while learning to adjust to the demands of a profitable business.

Purnata’s Objectives

  • Be a self-sustaining entity within three years of operations
  • Provide sustainable livelihoods to 25 survivors in the first three years.
  • Be the first choice social initiative business partnership for customers looking for world-class garments, uniforms, accessories and handicraft items.

Know more

Over the past three decades, Aaboo has served in various developmental organisations across the country in different roles. This diverse experience has given him the opportunity to speak, counsel, and assist in various contexts. A significant portion of his time (16 years) was dedicated to working with university students, offering counselling and support through their challenges and difficulties. He frequently receives invitations to speak as a motivational speaker, both in corporate settings and amongst students.

In 2008, sensing the need for a new phase in life focused on holistic work, he joined Oasis India with his family and relocated to Mumbai. For six years, he served on the leadership team, collaborating with other agencies and extending Oasis’s work. He held positions as Joint Executive Director and Director of Projects until departing in 2014. During this period, encountering numerous stories of suffering and pain, he felt called to work in the field of Anti-Human Trafficking. He recognised the shortcomings of many anti-human trafficking organisations, which predominantly focused on intervention rather than prevention. With a fresh vision, he founded Purnata, recognising that Oasis was not geared towards this specific focus.

When Purnata was established, the central question was how to combat human trafficking effectively. Despite the prevalent brokenness in the world, he aimed to make a substantial impact on human trafficking. He observed that despite the proliferation of NGOs and increased government efforts, trafficking statistics continued to rise. Realising that for every person rescued, numerous others were trafficked, he prioritised prevention alongside rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

Over the years, he successfully registered Purnata as a Society & a Trust, assembled a dynamic Board, recruited staff, and initiated operations in Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata. Additionally, he obtained essential certifications such as PAN & TAN, 12 Certificate, 80G certificate, and FCRA certificate. Despite limited resources, Purnata achieved remarkable milestones, raising awareness about human trafficking and implementing prevention strategies.

Through Purnata, Aaboo has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives, rescuing over 45 women, rehabilitating 30 individuals, and liberating more than 70 minors from the clutches of trafficking. His tireless efforts have also educated over 200,000 individuals on human trafficking.

Last year, he launched Amoli Handicrafts Private Limited, a for-profit company aimed at providing employment opportunities for trafficking survivors. With a workforce of five employees, the company has secured clients across several countries, including Israel, the UK, Europe, the US, Canada, and Australia. His products have been showcased at prestigious events like the London Fashion Show and Romania. Currently, he primarily collaborates with Masala Threads as his client provider.

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