By T R Anand, PGP 1981

Best Friend:  Pramod Kulkarni, PGP 1981

How did you two meet? What was your first impression?

D1 dorm mate in Year 1.  Continued in D12 in the second year.  First impressions – Down-to-earth, simple living and high thinking, helpful. Social service as a life goal.

Tell us about some of your fondest memories with each other.

1. The joy of funding, mentoring, and educating bright kids from rural, economically weak sections of society, and placing them in white collar jobs; the family income multiplied 5X to 10X,  thus uplifting one family at a time. Over three decades, Pramod founded NGO PRERNA aimed at supporting economically disadvantaged meritorious students and SATHI for reuniting runaway children with their parents.  

2.  Academic and non-academic collaboration in the second year in D12. 

3. During our divergent careers, a common thread was experimenting with new ideas and new spaces, mentoring youngsters in and outside careers, discussions about the heritage of India, literature, etc., and a wonderful time spent in frequent get-togethers of the batch of 1981 in Bangalore.  4. Feeling proud of the recognition of Pramod Kulkarni receiving the national award from our President Shri Pranab Mukherjee (see photograph), for his pioneering and humanitarian work at his NGO Saathi. Saathi founded by Pramod has rescued thousands of runaway children from railway platforms across India, secured their safe living in a rescue shelter hostel, while they searched for the children’s home of origin, and reunited them with their parents. He was looked upon as GOD by the rescued children’s family. The volunteers and staff that he trained at Saathi continue to build on his legacy.

Shri Pramod Kulkarni receiving the national award from the former President Shri Pranab Mukherjee.

How do you keep in touch? What are your favourite activities to do together?

Kept in touch right through after IIMA, and our common mother tongue Kannada, helped.  Spending quality time at each other’s homes in Bangalore with family.  Our families bonded well.  Sharing major joys and concerns in our lives and advisory help. Contributing to each other’s mission in giving back to society – Pramod’s NGOs Prerna and Saathi, and my  NGO Swadha Foundation, where I am a  Trustee.

T R Anand (left) with Pramod Kulkarni (right).

PS: Sadly, after I wrote this in mid-July, Pramod passed away on August 3, 2025.  A rude shock to all of us. A truly rich life snatched away too soon.