Devendra Kumar, Founder of Ladli Foundation Trust, on Empowering Lives
- Devendra shares his early hardships, from being abandoned at the age of two with his infant sister to being pushed into child labour in the slums.
- He credits the support of society and positive influences for helping transform his life.
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Overview
In this episode of The Brand Called You, we meet Devendra Kumar, Founder of Ladli Foundation Trust. From being abandoned in a slum as a toddler alongside his infant sister to becoming a nationally recognized grassroots leader, Devendra’s story is a testament to resilience, compassion, and purposeful action.
The conversation explores his remarkable journey, the philosophy behind Ladli Foundation, and practical insights into creating sustainable social change in India and beyond.
01:31 | From Child Labourer to a Life of Service
- Devendra shares his early hardships, from being abandoned at the age of two with his infant sister to being pushed into child labour in the slums.
- He credits the support of society and positive influences for helping transform his life.
- His difficult circumstances became a source of strength, shaping his empathy and commitment to service.
02:35 | Finding Purpose Through Responsibility and Service
- Sold balloons as a child to avoid falling into substance abuse and juvenile delinquency.
- Found safety, belonging, and purpose through volunteering with local police officers.
- Earned respect and confidence by supporting families and communities around him.
05:30 | Building Ladli Foundation: A Movement, Not a Charity
- Named the organization after his sister, whose struggles inspired him to work against child marriage and exploitation.
- Focused on building a movement of skilled volunteers rather than relying solely on fundraising.
- Today, Ladli Foundation operates across 16 Indian states, the United States, and South Africa, and holds consultative status with the United Nations.
- Emphasizes measurable impact rather than simply distributing aid.
07:43 | Beyond Awareness: Addressing the Root Causes of Child Marriage
- Awareness campaigns alone are not enough to solve deeply rooted social challenges.
- Real solutions require addressing the lack of social protection and economic security.
- Advocates for welfare-based interventions that create long-term change for vulnerable families.
10:19 | Preserving Culture While Driving Social Change
- Believes cultural preservation is essential for sustainable development.
- Ladli Foundation uses traditional customs as tools for social progress:
- Samohe Viva: Mass wedding ceremonies designed to reduce the risks of trafficking and forced prostitution.
- Kanya Pujan: Transforming a traditional ritual into ongoing support through health kits, education assistance, and insurance coverage.
14:16 | Turning Empathy into Measurable Impact
- Focuses on long-term community support, empowerment, and accountability.
- Highlights the importance of measuring outcomes rather than activities.
- Attributes the organization’s success to positive intent, community participation, and collective action.
16:06 | Bridging India’s Digital Divide
- Identifies the digital divide as one of the defining challenges of the decade, further amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Ladli Foundation has established hundreds of computer labs to help disadvantaged students gain access to digital learning opportunities.
- Emphasizes that meaningful digital inclusion requires access to both technology and practical digital skills.
RESOURCES:
Learn more about Devendra Kumar: LinkedIn
Enjoyed this podcast?
Ladli Foundation is India’s largest grassroots volunteering organization, with more than 116,000 skilled volunteers and projects across 16 Indian states, the United States, and South Africa. The organization believes that meaningful change comes through hands-on action—not just financial contributions.
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Profile
- Devendra Kumar is the Founder of the Ladli Foundation Trust, dedicated to empowering vulnerable communities and driving sustainable social change.
- Overcoming a difficult childhood after being abandoned as a toddler, he transformed personal adversity into a mission of service and compassion.
- He is widely recognized for his grassroots leadership, focusing on education, women’s empowerment, environmental initiatives, and community development.
