Who started it & why?
From a Delhi Slum to a Global Movement
Ladli Foundation began with a brother's promise: to ensure that no girl's future is decided by poverty, violence, child marriage or dowry.
Founder Devendra Kumar was only two years old when he was left in a crime-prone Delhi slum with his newborn sister. By the age of eight, he was selling balloons and taking up small jobs to survive while continuing his education. Growing up around addiction, violence and organised crime, he experienced the vulnerability of children living without protection or opportunity.
Rather than allowing those circumstances to define him, Devendra turned towards volunteering, community policing and social service. He discovered that sports, mentorship and meaningful engagement could give at-risk young people an alternative to drugs and crime.
In 2007, he launched JOSH, an early youth-reform initiative that used sports, counselling and community service to redirect vulnerable boys away from substance abuse and criminal activity. He also worked as an RTI activist, challenging exploitative practices that affected low-income families and bringing public attention to issues often ignored.
But the defining moment came closer to home.
When Devendra struggled to protect his sister from child marriage and dowry demands, he realised that her experience reflected the reality of countless girls across India. What began as one brother's fight soon became a larger mission to protect vulnerable girls, keep them in school and help them live with safety, dignity and independence.
That conviction led to the establishment of Ladli Foundation Trust, formally registered in 2012.
Today, the Foundation works across education, healthcare, gender equality, social protection, livelihoods, WaSH and the prevention of substance abuse and crime. Under Devendra's leadership, its grassroots initiatives have reached more than 3.5 million lives, while mobilising a powerful network of young volunteers and community changemakers.
His journey from child labourer to nationally recognised social reformer has received widespread acknowledgement. His work and the Foundation have been honoured with two National Awards by the Government of India and commended by four successive Presidents of India. He was nominated for the Padma Shri Award in 2020 by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan described him as a "True Hero" for his commitment to protecting vulnerable and underprivileged girls from exploitation and abuse.
His advocacy has also reached the global stage. Ladli Foundation holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, and its work on women's health and the prevention of child marriage was acknowledged during the 65th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, attended by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
What began as a fight to protect one sister has grown into a movement committed to protecting the dignity, rights and future of millions.
Read More →Board members
Ms. Arti Dhir
Arti Dhir : I have been in Aviation managing Airport Operations and Customer Service for United Airlines for 14 years in New Jersey USA. As a manager leading a team of over one hundred employees and countless passengers I can say I am in the "people" business.
My journey has included being a Yoga Alliance trained Yoga and meditation teacher. I was able to create meditation workshops for Management and employees enhancing wellbeing in the work environment. In the Yogic traditions I was initiated in "Sri Vidya Upasana" which is a transformative internal practice from the lineage of Adi Shankaracharya. I have created wellness workshops for many years which reach a diverse and tangible change in society, geared towards upliftment of women.
MR. SATYADARSHI PATNAIK
A gallant human in different fields like office administration, IT operations, legal services, program management, financial management, supply chain management and process optimization with 31 years of experience.
Currently helping as an independent consultant after working as a technical consultant in BRAC and former director in Care India for 5 years. Served humanity by responding to emergency operations like Tsunamis in Tamil Nadu, Earthquake in Jammu & Kashmir, Flood emergencies etc.
He was born on 4th May 1960 and fluent in English, Hindi, Oriya and Bangia. Studied MBA from Utkal University and Post-graduation from Delhi University.
MR. VIVEK NARAYAN SHARMA
Vivek Narayan Sharma is the Joint Secretary of Supreme Court Advocates-On-Record Association. He is recognized as the President of the Society for Criminal Justice.
He frequently provides tailored briefings at IILM, UPES Law College (Dehradun), Jus Dicere, Rotary Club, and so on. He has featured as Chief Speaker on 'Human Rights and Indian Constitution' at International Youth Festival at Pretoria, South Africa, in 2010.
He is one of India's fittest lawyers. Some remarkable awards were the "Legal Icon Award 2015" by TIME India News; "FEMMES Award-2017" for Best Lawyer in providing Free Legal Aid to Women.
DR. AMIT GUPTA
Dr. Amit Gupta is the chairman of Seema Dental College & Hospital since 2008. It is the only college in India having a standard Indoor swimming pool. Rashtriya Sahara has awarded him Uttarakhand Ratna Award. Under his able leadership, Seema Dental College has been awarded the Best Dental College by Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Honorable Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Government Of India.
During the COVID 19 spread, Dr. Amit Gupta stepped forward to help the Uttarakhand administration by handing over the entire campus's authorities, which was then converted to a covid center and a quarantine center.
MS. VINITA YADAV
Ms. Vinita Yadav, a great name in media. Graduated from Delhi University in 1999 and has impressive skills in Journalism, broadcasting and media production.
Work experience:
- In 2000- anchor in Doordarshan
- News reporter in Star News and News 24
- Senior correspondent in IBN 7 and principal correspondent in ABP
- Currently working as Managing Editor in News Nasha and awarded in 2020 on becoming this channel as India’s best Hindi channel. Worked on many investigative stories like Vyapam, Kashmir human trafficking, busted many prostitution rackets. First journalist to bring ‘Ganga in atom’ story on TV.
MS. AMISHA CHAUDHARY
A renowned personality as the first Indian crowned as Ms. United Nations 2017 in United Nations Private Pageant. A true inspiration for all women. She hails from Faridabad and is an air hostess in Air India. She is also a certified Make-up Freelancer in “Art of Makeup”.
She has 12 years experience in the sector which is full of hospitality and service. She is a social activist, a humanitarian who has invested her life in various social issues like women empowerment, making society aware towards gender disparity, environmental welfare activities and breast cancer awareness etc.
MR. KRISHNA KUMAR VARMA
Mr. Krishna Varma has specialization in Grant application writing, Program development, appraisal and Management and Networking & Partnership. He has long years of working experience in Social and population research, Govt. of India, national/international charity, United Nations Population Fund, Development Support organizations- on Reproductive rights & sexual health, Child development, Gender issues with rights-based approach through Institutional Partnership.
His creative pursuits include being an author to the book titled “Life and Times of Unborn Kamla”. He was an exemplary speaker in the Plenary Session at Global Conference of Women International Network (WIN), Geneva.