Our Story
It’s not just kids with special needs who need special attention
I’m Sudha Dinakar, a banker and an accountant. You might wonder why I started a non-profit. Let me take you along on my journey.
My second life started when Mrityunjay, the light of my life, was born to me 27 years back with special needs. Mrityunjay Foundation is named after him. Mrityunjay Foundation was founded by me and my husband, Dinakar B, Executive Vice President at Volvo Trucks India.
What is Mrityunjay Foundation
Mrityunjay Foundation offers an inclusive and safe community space for first generation K to 12 learners from economically and socially challenged backgrounds to close learning gaps, improve learning outcomes, and explore their creativity.
After a decade in the corporate world at ANZ Grindlays, I went back to college, bold and determined to help my son and others like him. I got my post graduate diploma and BEd in education of the visually impaired from Bhoj University which is recognised by RCI or Rehabilitation Council of India. I also got myself certified in Job Access with Speech or JAWS from Freedom Scientific, USA.
At the end of it all, I realised that it’s not just kids with special needs who need special attention. Even regular kids, often first generation learners like the milkman’s son or the maid’s daughter who goes to the local government or private school also struggles to keep up in class.
I always remember Arjun in 6th standard who came to me unable to read simple four letter words like “will” and “cold”. While I had read extensively on learning gaps prevalent across India in the Annual State of Education reports, seeing it before my very eyes forced me to act.
With some help from my very supportive husband, Mrityunjay Foundation was born. We rented a small room above a house next to a marigold field and opened our doors to the kids in the neighbouring villages of Sarjapur in rural Bangalore. What started in 2019 with 20 kids and just three teachers, today has 40 kids and 6 teachers from the local community.
And everyday I realise how extensive learning gaps are when I meet kids in high school who struggle to read sentences in English, don’t know how to hold a compass, or are unable to do basic division.
These children are not kids with special needs. They just don’t have the support that we often take for granted, a warm and loving home that is conducive to learning. Their parents are illiterate or semi-literate, ill equipped to help them clear their doubts, and unable to afford tuition classes. This is the void we fill with Mrityunjay Foundation where we offer all learning services free of cost.
Everyday I thank god for my son and the new path he showed me to give back to the kids of the local community.
Our Mission
Offer children from economically weaker backgrounds a safe and inclusive space to create interest in academics, fuel their creativity, and get them one step closer to achieving their dreams.