From Medicine to Mission The Visionary Doctors Behind One of the Best Charity Organizations in Mumbai Debabrata Auro Foundation Caring comes naturally to the doctors. They commit their lives to the service of others. Doctors never retire, and from medicine to mission is a natural transition. The Debabrata Auro Foundation (DAF) is the realization of one such vision. Founded and established in the memory of Late Dr. Debabrata Shome, DAF stands out in transforming intention into impact with surgical precision. In a world where philanthropy often begins with good intentions, Dr. Debabrata Shome was the torchbearer who dedicated his life to improving the lives of the underserved and underprivileged. At the heart of Debabrata Auro Foundation is this vision of holistic social development, which has led to DAF being recognized as one of the best charity organizations in Mumbai. Led by a team of visionary doctors who have chosen to extend their healing touch beyond hospital walls—to the local communities, Anganwadis, schools, homes, forests, and beaches—DAF continues to make a lasting impact where it matters most.
Driven by the vision of Dr Debabrata Shome of compassion and empathy in everything you do, DAF is continuing this legacy by serving the underserved in the areas they need it the most. What makes the top NGO in Mumbai’s work deeply credible and human is that it is one of its kind, not just led by professionals but expert medical practitioners. DAF founders are doctors who have seen the intersection of health, poverty, inequality, and suffering up close. Their medical lens built with years of experience has lent DAF’s approach to healthcare access, child education and welfare, women’s empowerment, and environmental well-being a dimension that was previously ignored.
Here is the story of the group of doctors who went from medicine to mission and created one of the top 20 Genuine NGO in India 2025, the DAF. Dr Debraj Shome: Surgeon, Inventor, Scientist, Social Reformer Dr Debraj Shome, co-founder of DAF, is one of India’s most renowned facial plastic surgeons and is an ever more passionate humanitarian. His name regularly features in the list of “Best Plastic Surgeons” around the world, and he is a recipient of numerous national and international accolades to his name. Dr Shome firmly believes that medical excellence is not enough; a practitioner should bring his heart to the table. Following his principle that true healing transcends physical treatment, he founded DAF. In the course of his career, he observed that neglect, lack of awareness, and social indifference are rampant in the underserved areas of Mumbai and around. This knowledge seeded a vision of creating an NGO that brings expert medical knowledge to grassroots in an empathetic, accessible, and equitable way. At DAF, his leadership has enabled many impactful initiatives: PCOS awareness camps, cancer care, book distribution, mega health drives, early childhood education, and environmental initiatives. At DAF he has created a model where science intersects with compassion and care, and research translates into real transformation. In his words, “As a doctor, you treat one patient at a time. As a social entrepreneur, you heal entire communities.” Dr Rinky Kapoor: Empowering women through science and service A celebrated and popular dermatologist, Dr Rinky Kapoor is the co-founder of DAF and The Esthetic Clinics. With her focus on scientific innovation and social impact, Dr Rinky Kapoor is known globally for her contributions to skin and hair treatment innovations and research. Dr Rinky’s work is deeply invested in empowering women, especially those who, in this day and age, are still struggling to meet their basic needs. She has spearheaded many programs in DAF, such as the PCOS awareness and hair regrowth therapy camps, menstrual hygiene workshops and sanitary pad distribution drives, and vocational upskilling sessions for women and girls. “A woman’s dignity is tied to her health, education, and opportunity. That’s what we restore through DAF,” says Dr Kapoor. The power of practitioner-led leadership An exceptional strength of Debabrata Auro Foundation is its practitioner-led model. DAF’s leadership and team rely on evidence-based design rather than just on project managers. All the projects are based on health data and direct community feedback and run with clinical accuracy. The blend of clinical expertise and social vision has made DAF a trusted implementation partner and recognized as one of the top 10 NGO in India 2025 for CSR funders, philanthropists, and government agencies alike. DAF’s leadership team is reaching the lanes of Mumbai’s untouched areas with
More than 50 mega health camps offering fungal check-ups and medications, paediatric care, and free medical consultations. Cancer detection and hair regrowth programs
Chid nutrition, child abuse and cyber safety workshops Environmental campaigns for clean beaches and increased green cover
Inspiring the next generation of changemakers DAF’s doctor led leadership is an inspiration to young healthcare professionals. More and more are joining this movement for community transformation and understanding that treatment is not limited to the patients but impacts the populations. DAF has a growing network of medical volunteers, intern, industry experts, and collaborators including medical students, dermatologist, plastic surgeons, and social workers who committed to the foundation’s leadership to carry forward the mission of helping the communities lead a better life.
