What if the generation that built our world could experience the joy of learning, laughter, and companionship once again?
This was the simple yet powerful thought that led to the creation of The Happy Folks Club—a nonprofit organization dedicated to making the Baby Boomers feel young, special, and valued again through meaningful interactions with the Gen Z.
Founded by Siddharth Kothari, a young visionary, the Club has become a bridge between generations, fostering love, sharing, and joyfulness across age groups.
The Inspiration Behind Happy Folks Club
Siddharth Kothari – A young intern at his own Organization
It was the summer of 2024. Siddharth Kothari had just completed his 12th board exams and was waiting for his results before heading to college. That’s when his parents came to him with a heartfelt request—to start a club that would bring happiness and engagement into the lives of senior citizens in Bangalore.
The Need for a Senior Citizens’ Club
During their daily morning walks at Lal Bagh, Siddharth’s parents often interacted with senior citizen groups. One morning, they noticed that a usually cheerful elderly gentleman seemed particularly downcast. When asked, he shared that their group leader had recently passed away, leaving them feeling like a ship without its captain.
Siddharth’s parents narrated this to him and encouraged him to take action. This sparked the idea of The Happy Folks Club, a place where elders could rediscover joy, companionship, and purpose.
A Son’s Tribute to His Parents’ Dream
Siddharth has always looked up to his parents as role models. His mother, a homemaker, instilled values and spirituality, while his father, the Founder & President of ISBR Business School, Bangalore, influenced him with his bold and charismatic personality.
The Birth of an Intern-Led Nonprofit for Senior Citizens
Determined to fulfill their wish, Siddharth gathered a group of friends and spent weeks interviewing senior citizens. They identified three key issues affecting their lives:
- Lack of meaningful activities
- Generational distance
- Loss of a vibrant community life
Thus, Happy Folks Club was born—to address these concerns and bring joy to the lives of senior citizens.
A Movement Led by Young Minds
What started in June 2024 with just 10 student volunteers has now grown into a team of over 60 interns and a thriving senior citizen network of 500+ members.
To keep the initiative self-sustaining, the club charges a nominal membership fee for either six months or a year. However, the actual expenses on each member are nearly three times the fee collected, with the difference covered by sponsors and patrons.
Despite offers from investors willing to fund the organization in exchange for converting it into a for-profit model, Siddharth chose to retain its service-oriented nature.
The Greatest Reward: The Blessings of Elders
Balancing two, degree programs—a BBA at St. Joseph’s and a BBA-DBE from IIM Bangalore—alongside managing Happy Folks Club may seem overwhelming for most. But for Siddharth, it’s a joy.
“Every lesson I learn in class helps me manage the Club better. The theoretical knowledge directly applies to our daily activities at Happy Folks.”
For the interns, the rewards go beyond certificates and stipends. The real treasure? The heartfelt blessings from senior citizens whose lives they have touched with warmth, joy, and companionship.
Mr. Subhash Ratanpal, 85, shares his experience – After attending an event organized by HFC, we took up a three-month membership and completed the Swatantra Course. He highly recommends the Swatantra Course for all senior citizens as it teaches you to use technology smartly and keep us protected from fraudsters. All praise for the interns’ dedication at HFC, he says that they treat us better than our grandchildren would. We sing, dance, play games and let our inner child out at the events.
The Future of Happy Folks Club & A Message to Youth
A Vision for the Future
When asked about his future plans for Happy Folks Club, Siddharth keeps it simple:
“I want to dedicate my college years to growing this movement. The future will shape itself.”
His Message to Peers
Siddharth urges young people to follow their passion and use their skills for a cause they believe in.
“My passion was event organizing, so I used it to create something meaningful for senior citizens. Find your passion and use it to spread happiness.”
He stands firmly by the Club’s tagline:
“Age is just a number”—Siddharth says that the tagline defines their belief that it’s never too early to turn your dreams into passion for the youths and never too late to fulfill your goals for the elders!