“I was born and raised in Khairatabad — not amidst material luxuries, but in the wealth of unconditional love from people of every walk of life. That warmth quietly shaped my worldview. As a child, I watched history being sculpted — the colossal Buddha at Hussain Sagar, the grand Khairatabad Ganesh celebrations. Hyderabad wasn’t just home; it was my playground, classroom, and soul’s first imprint.

I walked miles to save bus fare, squeezed into crowded buses, rode my first bicycle, and drove my first second-hand car. I studied in government schools, briefly in a private school, and went on to do an executive MBA at Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur — now to Stanford GSB. Life taught me: start where you are, do the right thing, and good things follow.

In 1994–95, I worked as an office boy at the under-construction Ramoji Film City, cycling there for ₹270 a week. Watching it rise taught me that dreams aren’t stumbled upon — they’re built. From walking six kilometres to watch a colour TV at the village sarpanch’s house to waiting hours for a morning bus to college, I learned that success often comes in tiny, invisible wins.

Though my career took me to Bangalore, Hyderabad remained in my heart — “ये शहर नहीं, महफ़िल है” — not just a city, but a celebration. Starting at a call centre, I moved through software giants, service firms, and into entrepreneurship. I even co-founded EdSense, an edtech platform. Over its run, we reached thousands of students, helped them explore their strengths beyond marks, and inspired teachers to rethink learning. Though the pandemic shut it down, its mission — that students are more than grades — continues to guide me.

In 2019, I joined the Ibrahim Lake Revival Initiative. We expected 200 people for a 5K Awareness run; 1,500 showed. We mobilised ₹22.5 crores in government support. Visits from leaders like Shri Konda Vishweshwar Reddy Garu and Shri KT Rama Rao Garu proved ordinary citizens can drive extraordinary change.

With Anshul Sinha, I ventured into filmmaking. Our first short, A Silent Voice, had one dialogue but spoke to thousands, screening at the UN’s Lampa Film Festival and earning recognition from India’s Ministry of Climate Control. Inspired by K. Vishwanath Garu — “Don’t just say every lake has a voice. Say every drop has a story.” — we made films on child marriage, water conservation, and ecology.

Activism gave me a voice; Vidyaranyam Veda Patasala gave me silence. In Chippalapally village, 120 Vedic students learn under Brahma Shri Madugula Shashibhushana Somayaji Garu, blending formal education, arts, and physical activity. We enhanced facilities and expanded care at the goshala named after my mother.

For over a decade, I’ve supported the Center for Social Service, a girls-only orphanage. During the pandemic, I launched the GRIT Stories Podcast — conversations with Padma awardees, activists, bureaucrats, and auto drivers. Listening can be a quiet revolution.

Professionally, I’ve worked across countries and cultures. One truth endures: people matter most. Lead with curiosity, operate with dignity, let empathy guide you. My first U.S. visit reminded me: I carry my identity with me; one misstep isn’t just personal — it echoes further.

From XLRI to Stanford, from EdSense to lakes, orphanages, and Vedic paths, one lesson is clear: action speaks louder than words. You don’t need permission to begin. Just start. If you rise, lift others with you.

Because in the end — if you’re not giving, what are you really doing?”

— Sunil Sathyavolu