“Growing up, I never imagined that I would work in the social development sector. I wanted to become a civil engineer. Today, my work takes me into communities, where I help children return to school, support women facing difficult circumstances, and connect families in need with opportunities and basic services.

I come from a small village in the erstwhile Mahabubnagar district. My father was a toddy tapper, and my childhood revolved around school, our fields and village life. After Class 10, I moved to Hyderabad to prepare for EAMCET. When I couldn’t secure the score I hoped for, I joined a BSc course.

Our family was facing financial difficulties, and I worked part-time to support myself. During my first year, I lost my father and had to put my education on hold to take up full-time work. A few years later, I returned to complete my BA and pursued a Master of Social Work.

During my internship, I witnessed children dropping out of school, women facing violence and families struggling without support. These experiences shaped my decision to work in social development. I later studied Mass Media & Journalism because I wanted these issues to receive greater public attention.

Along with six friends from different professional backgrounds, I co-founded the Integrated Rural Development Organisation (IRDO). Despite our full-time jobs, we dedicate our time and resources to communities across Telangana and Chennai where we work on women’s welfare, healthcare, education and skill development. With Police and Labour Department support, we have helped rescue children as young as nine from labour and enrol them back in schools. We have also supported women in vulnerable circumstances reaching shelter homes for counselling and vocational training.

I once dreamed of building roads and bridges. Life took me in another direction, but I still get to build something meaningful: opportunities for people who need support.”

– Venkatesh Goud, Co-founder, Integrated Rural Development Organisation