Terms & Conditions

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the Aparna Foundation website ("Website"), registering as a volunteer, making a donation, participating in an event, or otherwise engaging with our programs, you agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions ("Terms"). If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, please do not use this Website or participate in our programs.

These Terms apply to all visitors, volunteers, donors, event participants, sponsors, and partners of Aparna Foundation.

2. About Aparna Foundation

Aparna Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, registered under Reg. No. 295/23 and listed on NGO Darpan. We work in the areas of environmental awareness, tree plantation, youth education, and community welfare. We are not a government body, and our programs are run through voluntary contributions, donations, and community participation.

3. Use of This Website

You agree to use this Website only for lawful purposes and in a manner that does not infringe the rights of, or restrict or inhibit the use and enjoyment of this Website by, any third party. Specifically, you agree not to:

• Use the Website to transmit any harmful, defamatory, obscene, or unlawful material;
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of the Website, servers, or databases connected to the Website;
• Use any automated system (bots, scrapers) to extract data from the Website without our written permission;
• Misrepresent your identity or affiliation with Aparna Foundation.

We reserve the right to restrict or terminate your access to the Website at our discretion, without notice, for conduct that we believe violates these Terms or is harmful to other users, us, or third parties.

4. Volunteering

Individuals who register to volunteer with Aparna Foundation agree to the following:

• Volunteering is unpaid and voluntary. No employment relationship is created between the volunteer and Aparna Foundation.
• Volunteers must conduct themselves respectfully and safely at all times, particularly around children, elderly persons, and other vulnerable community members.
• Volunteers must follow the safety instructions and guidance provided by our team during any activity (e.g., plantation drives, school sessions).
• Aparna Foundation reserves the right to decline, pause, or terminate any individual's volunteering association at its discretion, particularly in cases of misconduct.
• Volunteers may withdraw from any activity or the program at any time by informing our team.
• Certificates of participation are issued only where the volunteer has genuinely completed the associated activity or minimum participation criteria, as determined by our team.

5. Donations

• Donations made to Aparna Foundation (via UPI, bank transfer, or in-kind contribution) are voluntary and non-refundable, except where required by law or at our sole discretion in cases of clear payment error.
• Funds received are used solely to support our programs — tree plantation, environmental education, awareness campaigns, and related community welfare activities.
• As of the date of these Terms, Aparna Foundation is not yet certified under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Donations are therefore not currently eligible for tax deduction. This page will be updated immediately upon receipt of such certification.
• Donors may request a general update on how funds are being used by contacting us directly; we aim to publish periodic progress updates.
• Aparna Foundation is not responsible for any transaction fees, delays, or errors caused by the donor's bank, UPI application, or payment provider.

6. Events, Sponsorships & Paid Participation

For events with paid or fee-based participation (such as the Green Fashion Show), the following additional terms apply:

• Registration through our forms does not guarantee a confirmed slot until formally acknowledged by our team.
• Participation charges, where applicable, will be communicated to registered participants ahead of the event and must be paid as per the timeline shared.
• Participation fees are generally non-refundable except in case of event cancellation by Aparna Foundation, in which case refund or credit will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
• Aparna Foundation reserves the right to change event dates, formats, or venues due to circumstances beyond its control (weather, permissions, force majeure), and will make reasonable efforts to inform participants in advance.
• Sponsors and Corporate Sponsor Members are featured on our Website and materials only with their explicit permission, and may request removal of their branding at any time by contacting us.

7. Certificates & Verification

Certificates of Participation, Volunteer IDs, and Sahyog Cards issued by Aparna Foundation may be verified through the "Verify Certificate" section of this Website using the unique ID provided at the time of issue. Certificates are issued only for genuine, completed engagement with our programs. Any attempt to forge, duplicate, or misrepresent an Aparna Foundation certificate or ID is strictly prohibited and may result in legal action.

8. Photos, Videos & Media Consent

By participating in any Aparna Foundation event, program, or activity, you consent to being photographed or filmed, and you grant Aparna Foundation the right to use such photographs, videos, and related content for our website, social media, press coverage, reports, and promotional material — without any compensation — unless you inform us in advance, in writing, that you do not consent to being photographed or filmed.

If you are a parent/guardian registering a minor for any activity, this consent is assumed to extend on the minor's behalf unless otherwise communicated to us directly.

9. Intellectual Property

All content on this Website — including our logo, name, text, graphics, illustrations, and design — is the property of Aparna Foundation unless otherwise credited, and is protected under applicable intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or use our name, logo, or original content for commercial purposes without our prior written consent.

10. Third-Party Links & Services

This Website may contain links to third-party websites or use third-party services (such as Google Forms, Google Maps, WhatsApp, and payment/UPI applications) for specific functions. Aparna Foundation is not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or reliability of these third-party services. Your use of any third-party service is governed by that service's own terms and privacy policy.

11. Limitation of Liability

Aparna Foundation makes reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of information on this Website but does not guarantee that all content is complete, current, or error-free. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Aparna Foundation shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential loss or damage arising from your use of this Website or participation in our programs and events, except where such liability cannot be excluded under applicable law.

Participation in physical activities (plantation drives, outdoor events) carries inherent risk. Participants are expected to exercise reasonable personal caution, and Aparna Foundation is not liable for personal injury arising from ordinary risks associated with outdoor community activities, except in cases of proven negligence on our part.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Aparna Foundation, its team members, and volunteers from any claim, loss, or damage arising out of your breach of these Terms or your misuse of the Website or participation in our programs.

13. Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by the laws of India. Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of this Website shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

14. Changes to These Terms

Aparna Foundation may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our programs, legal requirements, or operations. The updated version will be posted on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the Website after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

15. Contact Us

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us:

• 📍 N 11/107, D R-1A, Mahmoorganj, Varanasi – 221010
• ✉️ aparnafoundation23@gmail.com
• 📞 +91 70682 18327

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