Pramod Kulkarni

Pramod Kulkarni: A Life Committed to Children and Social Change

We, at SATHI (Society for Assistance to Children in Difficult Situations), deeply mourn the passing of our founder, Mr. Pramod Kulkarni, who left us on August 3rd, 2025, in Bengaluru after a brief illness.

Mr. Kulkarni dedicated his life to the service of children and social development, emerging as a pioneering leader in child protection in India. He was the founder of SATHI, which has, for over three decades, worked to rescue, rehabilitate, and reunite runaway children with their families. What began as a modest effort at Raichur railway station evolved into a national movement—driven by Mr. Kulkarni’s deep conviction, strengthened through research and lived experience, that every child deserves a second chance in the warmth and safety of their family.

Mr. Kulkarni’s commitment to social work was visible from his student days. After completing a Master’s in Statistics from MS University, Baroda, he joined the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, for his PGDM. Even while studying, he approached NGOs in Gujarat to volunteer. Though turned down, his resolve to work in the development sector only strengthened.

His professional journey in the development sector began with PRADAN, an organization that placed professionals at the grassroots to solve rural development challenges. At PRADAN, he combined his analytical acumen and field sensibility to work on sustainable, community-driven solutions. He also initiated Prerana, a project focused on irrigation and rural livelihoods in the drought—affected districts of North Karnataka-an initiative that he later developed into an independent NGO.

It was in Raichur that Mr. Kulkarni’s path turned toward children. His early interactions with a few platform children sparked the birth of SATHI, which would grow into a national organization addressing the plight of children living in and around railway stations. Under his leadership, SATHI pioneered the family reunification model, which today stands as the best practice in child protection in India.

Mr. Kulkarni’s work has been recognized both at the state and national levels. In 2015, he was awarded the National Award for Child Welfare by the President of India. Later, in September 2022, he received the "Amazing Indians Award" under the Shelter Management category.

Beyond his work with SATHI, Mr. Kulkarni was deeply invested in educational equity. He helped establish and lead initiatives like Vidyaposhak and Prerana Nurture Merit, aimed at identifying and supporting meritorious but economically disadvantaged students, especially from government schools and rural areas.  These programs have enabled thousands of children to access quality education and build successful professional careers.

Even after stepping down from his formal role as Secretary, Pramod Kulkarni remained a guiding force—mentoring organizations, supporting young professionals, and inspiring countless individuals in the development sector. His legacy lives on in the lives of thousands of children and students who found hope, care, and opportunity through his unwavering vision and compassionate action.

The entire SATHI team mourns this profound loss. As we remember Mr. Kulkarni, we remain deeply committed to advancing the mission he so passionately believed in—protecting and uplifting vulnerable children across the country.

TEAM SATHI