"Our story" in co-founder voice

Welugu began as a quiet inner journey long before it became a collective effort. What started as personal reflection gradually unfolded into action, shaped by lived experiences, deep listening, and a desire to serve with intention. 

Ahaṁ Brahmāsmi and Tat Tvam Asi - The Mahavakyas

Where It All Began

Growing up, I was exposed early to spirituality through regular visits to the Brahmakumari society with my mother and practices such as Rajayogam. This planted a natural curiosity about the Bhagavad Gita. While life moved on and this curiosity remained in the background for years, it eventually deepened into an exploration of the Upanisads and Advaita Vedanta. Along the way, as I explored other religious and philosophical texts, was began to see how different traditions pointed to the same underlying truths through varied language and symbols.The Mahavakyas, Ahaṁ Brahmāsmi and Tat Tvam Asi, deeply resonated with me, revealing the interconnectedness and oneness of existence and gently guiding me toward karma yoga, the path of selfless action.

This inner grounding found an outward expression through my association with NorthSouth particularly through its collaboration with Ashoka's initiative and the belief that “Everyone is a Changemaker.” Volunteering as an adult mentor for young changemakers, initially in administrative roles and later through mentoring, led to an important realization: I, too, could consciously step into the role of a changemaker. That inner permission to act in alignment with my values became the spark behind Welugu.

From Inner Work to Collective Action

Welugu took shape through collective effort and a shared family commitment to social responsibility. Inspired by a teenager’s compassion toward homelessness and systemic inequities, we co-founded Welugu alongside close family members. We were soon exposed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and together, these influences shaped our early focus on poverty alleviation, with an emphasis on empowerment through knowledge, resources, and grassroots engagement.

In January 2021, we began our on-ground work in Gollakandukuru, a remote village in Andhra Pradesh, India. Rather than arriving with solutions, we chose to listen deeply. Through participatory, design thinking–based approaches, we worked alongside farmers and children to understand their lived realities. Initiatives such as Rachabanda (community dialogue forums) and Chadhuvu (education-focused engagement) emerged organically. To support long-term sustainability, we guided farmers toward forming a Farmers Producer Organization (FPO).

Along the way, we learned from organizations such as Catalyst 2030, Tamkeen Foundation, and Palle Srujana, and were guided by inspiring individuals including Brigadier Ganesham, Karima Kadoui, and Kalyan Akkipeddi of Protovillage. After completing a year-long pilot, we paused, to reflect, integrate our learnings, and listen more deeply to what the work was asking of us.

The Question That Changed Everything

In November 2023, the insights gained through Chadhuvu evolved into Vignanam, extending learning and knowledge exchange to a broader audience. While these efforts addressed tangible challenges, a deeper question, one my husband had been raising from the very beginning of Welugu, continued to surface. Over the years, this question grew more persistent: 

Is freedom from poverty alone enough to create fulfillment?

This question marked a turning point. Teachings from Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Michael Singer’s concept of centered awareness, Eckhart Tolle’s emphasis on presence, and Osho’s insights on consciousness pointed toward a shared realization: fulfillment arises when individuals reconnect with their inner source.

Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it - Rumi

Rumi’s words (love as a barrier) echoed through this phase, reminding that the work is not to seek love, but to remove the barriers within that block its flow. Welugu came to deeply appreciate that each individual’s journey is unique and that growth flourishes best in environments grounded in love, care and compassion.

Welugu Today

Today, Welugu is a platform for reconnection, helping individuals reconnect with their inner light, their purpose, and one another. We have come to see that the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and stories is never transactional; it is mutually transformative, benefiting both the giver and the receiver.

True to its name, Welugu “Light Within” — continues to evolve as a space for self-discovery, empowerment, and collective well-being. As this journey continues, we remain committed to nurture spaces grounded in compassion, acceptance, and love, where individuals honor their inherent worth and recognize the light within themselves and others."