MUST is committed to serve the underprivileged communities of urban poor (slums) who live in grinding poverty under very challenging conditions. Urbanization associated with industrialization has seen unprecedented migration of people from villages to the cities. The post independent India saw rapid industrialization from sixties and seventies. Though India is an agriculture-based economy, lacking jobs in the villages and the lure of better prospects in the city led to an exodus of people from the villages to the city. The rapid growth of urban population gave way to the mushrooming of slums. Today, 40 to 60% of any major metros live in slums. They live in shabby conditions, risking their health, hygiene, morality and spirituality.

The mandate of MUST is to facilitate better living prospects for the people living in such conditions. MUST is lead and guided by a dedicated team of people who are called and commissioned for the purpose.

MUST- The Genesis

The genesis of MUST is from the city of Pune which is the cultural capital of Maharashtra and is known as the Oxford of the East. 40 to 42% people of Pune and the industrial city of Pimpri - Chinchwad live in slums.

MUST – The Exodus

A group of people who shared the burden and vision for the slum situation with Mr. Reji Thomas started regularly meeting to seek divine guidance during early nineties. With personal visits Reji Thomas and friends started providing a helping hand to the people in slums. And as contacts increased, it necessitated registering as a charitable trust with a vision of ministering wholistically to then urban poor. Thus, MUKTI UDHATARN SEVA TRUST was registered as a charitable trust for the wholistic service of the urban poor in 1993 with a Board of Trustees and Reji Thomas as its first general secretary.

Regular programs, projects and educational programs were started in slums during 1992. The areas of operation multiplied from its humble beginnings as staff members joined in 1995. As work progressed, more and more people were also added, and regular project started in different slums in 1996. Eventually the projects have started in multiple slums in different areas of the city.

The MUST Leadership Team

Mr. Ashok C Raj A mechanical engineer by profession, Ashok is currently an engineering consultant. He had contributed and served in varied capacities over 30 years in the industry before retiring from Parry Automations as General Manager. He is a leader with passion for the poor and underprivileged. Involved actively in MUST for 15 years, he serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Ashok Raj and his wife Suchita a doctor by profession are blessed with two daughters and make their home in Banner, Pune.

Mr. O John A Human resource person who worked with Birla Software, in Mumbai for a long time. And thereafter he worked and retired as a General Manager of a private company in Pune. He is involved actively in MUST from inception, presently serving as the vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees. He is also part of other organization in different capacities. Mr. O. John and His wife Jolly make their home in Pimpri, Pune, and are blessed with two daughters.

Mr. Reji Thomas He is a post graduate in Political Science and in Theology. He has served Evangelical Students Union, Ahmed nagar college, and Maharashtra mission, before founding Mukti Udharan Seva Trust along with his wife Mary. Mrs. Mary Thomas a Civil Engineer, along with Reji, founded an engineering design house - Eden Consultants, a Business as Mission initiative. Reji serves as the General Secretary for MUST and as the senior mentor for the APF congregations, a cluster house fellowships in slums and outside. They make their home in Pimpri, Pune and are blessed with two sons.

Mr. Reji Koshy Daniel A mechanical engineer by profession, he served in the different automotive ancillary companies in different leadership capacities. Presently he serves as one of the vice-presidents of ESAF Small Finance bank, heading the sustainable banking. He is also passionate about bringing sustainable environment stewardship of the planet earth. Involved actively in MUST for last 20 years, he serves as the Admin Secretary of the Board of Trustees. Reji and his wife Betsy, make their home in Pune, along with their daughter and son.

Mr. George Jacob A Lawyer by profession, he is the Executive Director of James Mackintosh Shipping Corporation. He also shares leadership responsibilities in many organisations involved in transformational programmes. George serves as the Treasurer of MUST from 2018. Mr. George and his wife Susan live in Vasai, Mumbai, along with their three daughters.

Mr. Rajendra Jadhav He is an Engineer by profession and the founder & Managing Director of MICROCOOL Systems Pvt Ltd, a Turnkey HVAC Engineering and Consulting Group. He serves as the chairperson for one of the subcommittees of MUST. Mr. Rajendra Jadhav and his wife live in Pune, along with their son and daughter.

Mr. Tom Varghese He is a HR professional, working in corporate sector for the last many years. Passionate in training and developing people at various levels, he serves as the chairperson for MUST staff development committee. Tom and his wife Sheril currently reside in Bangalore, along with their three sons.