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Shaping Lives is the identity of Le Passage Travel Foundation, a pioneering CSR initiative conceptualised by Mr Arjun Sharma, the then Managing Director and current Chairman of Le Passage to India (LPTI), India’s No. 1 Destination Management Company.
The Genesis
In an industry where travel accounts for 11% of global GDP and 12% of international exports, we recognised something profound: more than 50 of the world’s least developed countries rely on tourism to drive economic development. This wasn’t just a business insight—it was a moral imperative.
As a leading destination management company facilitating unforgettable journeys across India, we understood that our long-term success is intrinsically linked to the well-being of the communities, culture, and environment we operate within.
The Foundation Emerges
In July 2010, Colonel (Retired) Anil Alagh brought Mr. Sharma’s vision to life, establishing Shaping Lives with fellow trustees Mr. Manish Goel, Mr. Randhir Brar, and Mr. Suresh Mittal. What began with 8 grassroots NGOs in the Golden Triangle has blossomed into a network of over 35 affiliated organisations spanning every major tourist destination in India.
Our Unique Model
We act as a bridge-connecting socially conscious travellers with vetted grassroots NGOs working across three vital areas: humanity, animal welfare and environment. Unlike conventional charity modelsm we believe in experimental giving: allowing donors and volunteers to witness, participate in, and from lasting relationships with the communities they support.
The Shaping Lives Symbol
Meaning Behind Our Logo:
Our logo manifests around a tree with its trunk refined into a pencil tip, a powerful visual metaphor for our mission:
The Tree Trunk (shaped as a pencil):
Represents our sturdy, unwavering strength, uprightness, and our will to rewrite smiling futures for those we serve.
The Branches (depicted by figurines):
Symbolise our business units and colleagues as the integral supportive elements spread across India.
The Leaves (represented by hands):
Embody our travel partners and empanelled NGOs, ever-willing to participate in our social decisions and implementations.
Our Vision
A smile to engulf people, places, and the environment.
Our Mission
To facilitate change for the better through the travel industry.
Our Goals
As India’s leading DMC, Le Passage to India commits to practising responsible tourism through:
- Cultural Respect: Honouring local people, culture, and traditions
- Environmental Stewardship: Contributing to improvement while minimising our impact on the environment at business destinations
- Community Benefit: Facilitating economic and social benefits to local communities across travel destinations
Our Core Values
- Pioneer Leadership: Through our responsible role in the travel industry, we continue as pioneers of change in the lives of the less privileged
- Total Transparency: We commit to complete accountability, dedicating our deeds and actions toward fulfilment of our mission, vision, and goals
- Sustainable Impact: We believe the sustainability of communities, culture, and environment is key to long-term success for all
Our Approach
How We Create Lasting Change
We achieve our mission through four strategic pillars:
Empowering Stakeholders
We believe in building capacity, not dependency. Every program focuses on skill development, education, and creating pathways for self-sufficiency.
Enabling Communities
We partner with organisations that create sustainable opportunities—from vocational training for women to education for street children, ensuring benefits extend beyond immediate aid.
Ensuring Long-term Benefits
We form lasting associations, not one-time interventions. Our NGO partnerships span years, allowing us to witness and support genuine transformation.
Encouraging Positive Impact
Every action is evaluated for its potential to minimise negative impact and maximise positive outcomes for people, animals, and the environment.
Our Parent Organisation
Le Passage to India
About Le Passage to India
Le Passage to India is India’s No. 1 Destination Management Company, awarded six times by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, for outstanding performance.
With an elaborate network of 14 owned offices across India and strategic alliances in Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, LPTI specialises in every facet of travel. Our in-depth product knowledge, highly trained teams, state-of-the-art IT systems, and modern transport fleet enable us to provide the journey of a lifetime, every time.
Get Involved
To include more CSR experiences during your trip to India, contact us >
