Ranjani Saigal, Executive Director, Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of USA
Guru Krupa Foundation deserves recognition as Organization of the Year from The South Asian Times. We are immensely grateful for the foundation’s unwavering support of Ekal Vidyalaya, which serves over 100,000 remote rural and tribal villages in India.
GKF’s generosity has enabled education for over 15,000 tribal children and supported holistic development initiatives for a population of 15,000 in rural Telangana. These include women’s skill training, health services, farming advancements, and digital literacy programs.
GKF Founder Mukund Padmanabhan exemplifies compassion and humility. His selfless dedication reflects the spirit of the bhajan Vaishnava Jana-to, embodying service without ego. Mukund’s inspirational philanthropy has profoundly impacted countless lives, making him a true force for good in uplifting the underprivileged. We are proud to partner with the Guru Krupa Foundation in creating lasting change in rural India.
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Deborah Caldwell, Religion News Foundation CEO
Religion News Service Publisher, Columbia, MO
Thanks to GKF support, Richa Karmarkar covers Hinduism and the Hindu community for Religion News Service.
Religion News Foundation congratulates the Guru Krupa Foundation for receiving this prestigious honor from The South Asian Times. Under the visionary leadership of Mukund Padmanabhan, GFK has funded the coverage by Religion News Service (RNS) of Hindus and Hinduism since 2021 and the hiring of Richa Karmarkar in 2023 to cover this beat.
Says Richa: “Writing about the Hindu-American diaspora has been nothing short of joyful. It is a privilege to cover one’s community, and especially to keep learning about the multifaceted Hindu faith. Thanks to GKF, I will continue increasing awareness about Hindus, especially as the Hindu community makes inroads into American life.”
RNS is the only secular media outlet that consistently publishes stories about Hindus and Hinduism. Through GFK’s support, RNS has guided non-Hindu readers’ exploration of the faith, while giving Hindus a place to share their experiences alongside other faiths. This support has also helped RNS fulfill its mission of increasing religious literacy among our readers and in the broader news environment.
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Sudha Acharya, Executive Director, South Asian Council for Social Services, Flushing, NY
SACSS Executive Director Sudha Acharya and New York Senator John Liu honored Mukund Padmanabhan on behalf of GKF. (Photo courtesy: Guru Krupa Foundation)
On behalf of everyone at the South Asian Council for Social Services (SACSS), I would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Mukund Padmanabhan, Founder and President of the Guru Krupa Foundation on this honor. His unwavering support and dedication to our mission have made an immeasurable impact over the years. It is because of people like him that we continue to grow and serve so many people with crucial services that they need.
Once again, congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you, Mukund, for being such an important part of our community.
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GKF has supported Akshaya Patra’s Tri-State chapter. Akshaya Patra’s mission is to eradicate classroom hunger in India. (Photo courtesy: Guru Krupa Foundation)
Ankita Narula, Vice President, Akshaya Patra Foundation USA, Fremont, CA
The Akshaya Patra Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to the Guru Krupa Foundation for their exceptional leadership and steadfast commitment to transforming lives. GKF’s visionary support has been a cornerstone of our mission to eradicate classroom hunger, enabling us to serve millions of hot, nutritious meals to underprivileged children across India.
During the pandemic, GKF’s unwavering support was pivotal in Akshaya Patra’s ability to deliver over 220 million meals to migrant workers and vulnerable communities. Their timely contributions ensured that food reached those most in need, showcasing their profound compassion and dedication to impactful philanthropy.
Mukund, the visionary founder of GKF, has also been an unwavering supporter of Akshaya Patra’s Tri-State chapter. The Akshaya Patra Foundation is honored to collaborate with Guru Krupa on this transformative journey. Together, we are creating a brighter, hunger-free future for generations.
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Ellen Kodadek, Executive & Artistic Director, Flushing Town Hall, NY
Mukund Padmanabhan was an honored guest at the Flushing Town Hall gala in 2023. (Photo courtesy: Guru Krupa Foundation)
Guru Krupa Foundation has generously supported Flushing Town Hall for six years. We are grateful for their commitment to our programs for local audiences and families, including our annual Diwali Festival, Holi celebration, and Global Mashup concerts. Their support of our mission to present global arts that engage and educate New York's diverse audiences allows us to foster strong and caring communities.
The Foundation’s humanitarian work directly reflects its founder Mukund Padmanabhan, whose humble and generous nature is an inspiration and gift to all.
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Patrick Bocco, Director of Fundraising, CRY (Child Rights And You) America Inc., Braintree, MA
Patrick Bocco of CRY America with Project RWDS children in Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, in 2022. (Photo courtesy: Guru Krupa Foundation)
On behalf of CRY’s children, we are grateful to Mukund Padmanabhan and the Guru Krupa Foundation for their generous annual donations to Child Rights and You (CRY) America directed towards funding the project Rural Workers Development Society (RWDS) working in 52 villages in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. RWDS works to reduce child labor and ensure access to schools for underserved children.
Mukund is a true Child Rights Champion. His unwavering support to CRY America has impacted thousands of underprivileged children and his ongoing generosity inspires the CRY Staff.
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Dr Uma Mysorekar, President, Hindu Temple Society of North America (Ganesh Temple), Flushing, NY
It is an honor and a privilege to write about Mr. Mukund Padmanabhan. He is a dedicated and generous devotee of the Ganesh Temple and has served on its Board of Trustees.
Mr. Padmanabhan established the Guru Krupa Foundation in 2008 to help the needy and the less fortunate. The foundation does a remarkable service to humanity by supporting social welfare, spirituality, arts and culture, and education in the US and India.
On behalf of The Hindu Temple Society of North America and my own, I congratulate Mr. Padmanabhan for this well-deserved recognition. I wish him continued success in his goals to serve the needy in the US and India.
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Abha Bhatnagar Roy, Director, Srijan Dance Centre, NY
Srijan Dance Center is grateful to the Guru Krupa Foundation and Shri Mukund Padmanabhan. His vision and continuous support have given a splendid opportunity to not only the South Asians but all communities. His insights in helping to understand the importance of Indian culture and its Vedic aspect are remarkable. The foundation’s significant contribution to shaping people's lives to bring peace and harmony around us is truly appreciable.
Due to GKF support, school children are introduced to Indian culture very early through Indian classical dance, folk dances, theatre, and Indian literature. They understand the importance of Indian festivals, which bring families together. It not only helps with overall personality development but also enables children to share thoughts and expressions required to be happy individuals.
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Chairman, ECI MW Holding Co, Inc, NY
Philanthropist
I have known Mukund Padmanabhan ji for over a decade. When I think about him, simple living and high thinking are the qualities that first come to mind.
He has had a very successful career, and a heart of gold when it comes to philanthropy. His benevolent spirit is universal, and his thoughtful mind always seeks to do dharma in every aspect of life.
Mukund ji is an exemplary role model for many. His altruism, channeled through the Guru Krupa Foundation, is helping to make our world a better place, one good deed at a time. Be it Ekal Vidyalaya, Sankara Eye Foundation, his alma mater UCLA, or a myriad of charities in India and America, he has always been the first to open his big heart and support their efforts unequivocally. His love for children and opening vistas of opportunities for underprivileged children can be matched by only a few. Despite doing and accomplishing so much, he is humble and soft-spoken with a mild demeanor.
I commend The South Asian Times for recognizing the Guru Krupa Foundation as the Organization of the Year 2024. Thus, you have honored Mukund ji, a self-effacing man. You have raised the bar, challenging him and others to do more to help humanity.
The world needs many more Mukund Padmanabhans!
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Robert Lemle, Co-founder and Trustee, Long Island Children’s Museum, Garden City, NY
Westbury STEM Partnership students and families with LICM President Erika S. Floreska (extreme right) and GKF’s Mukund Padmanabhan. The project provides STEM resources to all first through third-grade students and K-12 special education students in the Westbury School District. (Photo courtesy: Guru Krupa Foundation)
I’m thrilled to congratulate Mukund Padmanabhan and the Guru Krupa Foundation (GKF) on being recognized as Organization of the Year by The South Asian Times. For those of us at Long Island Children’s Museum (LICM), Mukund has been more than just a supporter — he’s been a true partner.
Before GKF got involved, Mukund took the time to get to know us. He met with our staff and trustees, asking thoughtful questions and learning about our decision-making process, which brings our values to life. His genuine curiosity and dedication were clear from the start.
When Mukund joined our Board of Trustees, he brought insight and wisdom that strengthened our work. His contributions have been invaluable, and we are deeply grateful for his and GKF’s ongoing commitment to our mission and the community.
I’m proud to call Mukund a friend and celebrate this well-deserved recognition!
Maureen P. Mangan, LICM’s Director of Communications & Marketing, adds:
Guided by the vision of Mukund Padmanabhan to nurture a love of learning, GKF supports many of our key community initiatives, including:
Westbury STEM Partnership: Providing STEM resources to all first through third-grade students and K-12 special education students in the Westbury School District, teacher workshops, and classroom enrichment materials.
Together to Kindergarten: Helping families new to the US public education system prepare their children for kindergarten, guiding preschoolers and their grownups through this important transition.
Cultural Festivals: Supporting LICM’s Holi festival, which celebrates diversity and connects cultures by introducing visitors to the festival of colors.
We are grateful for GKF's support and positive impact on our community.
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Karen Micciche, Executive Director, Literacy Nassau, Wantagh, NY
Mukund Padmanabhan with Karen Micciche at Literacy Nassau’s Outdoor Pavillion built with support from GKF. (Photo courtesy: Guru Krupa Foundation)
Since 2012, I have been privileged to be part of Mr Mukund Padmanabhan’s and the Guru Krupa Foundation's orbit. What started as a simple response to an article in a local newspaper has blossomed into an incredible partnership spanning over a decade.
GKF has generously funded our Tutor Training Workshops, a robust internship program for adult English Language Learners, the construction of our indoor and outdoor learning spaces, and a Saturday English Immersion class for immigrant children.
Mr Padmanabhan’s commitment to improving society is unparalleled, and like a raindrop in the ocean, its ripple effect reaches far and wide. Through GKF, this unassuming, gentle introvert has touched the lives of thousands of people worldwide. I can think of no one more deserving of this prestigious honor from The South Asian Times.
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Debra Sue Lorenzen, Director of Youth and Education, St. Nicks Alliance, Brooklyn, NY
Under the leadership and vision of Mr. Mukund Padmanabhan, the Guru Krupa Foundation has generously supported St. Nicks Alliance's BK Story Voyager (BKSV) since 2019. This unique mobile library and learning center is the flagship of St. Nicks Alliance's School Success model, designed to improve literacy across North Brooklyn.
Our partnership with GKF ensures the BKSV is on the road year-round, reaching thousands of children during school days, after school, and community events. With GKF's stellar support, the BKSV has gifted over 20,000 books to children's home libraries, built an impressive culturally responsive lending collection, and led direct small group instruction for young readers.
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Tatiana Toro, Director of SLMath & Professor of Mathematics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
SLMath provides children in low-income communities with storybooks with fun and engaging mathematical themes. (Photo courtesy: Guru Krupa Foundation)
The Guru Krupa Foundation has been an invaluable partner to the Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute (SLMath) in providing children in low-income communities around the US with storybooks with fun and engaging mathematical themes. With their caring and generous support, our Mathical Collection Development Awards with School Library Journal have reached 60,000 students at 100 Title I schools since 2023.
We are grateful to GKF for their leadership in making a difference in the lives of young people by encouraging a lifelong appreciation of mathematics in the world around them.
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Megan Foehr, Senior Development Manager, Institutional Giving
Reach Out & Read of Greater NY, New York
Guru Krupa Foundation’s generous support of Reach Out & Read of Greater New York’s (ROR GNY) Building Connections Begins at Birth (BCBB) program has made a meaningful impact on NYC families. By providing foundational support, GKF has helped new families establish important routines around reading to newborns.
The BCBB program provides free, bilingual, culturally reflective children's books and evidence-based literacy guidance during early pediatric visits. Shared reading in the early years is clinically shown to have a lasting impact beyond language and early literacy; these moments nourish healthy family bonds that positively impact a child’s long-term health outcomes.
GKF’s support has enabled ROR GNY to expand our services, bringing the BCBB program to more families across the region – with GKF directly supporting nearly 20,000 children. Through GKF’s partnership, we are making a difference where it matters most: at the beginning of every child’s story.
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Cameron K. Robello, Director, Institutional Giving
City Parks Foundation, New York
City Parks Foundation is grateful for Guru Krupa Foundation’s support of our Coastal Classroom program in 2024. Thanks to their generosity, over 150 young environmental stewards learned about the importance of their local marine ecosystems with hands-on learning in NYC waterways.
Coastal Classroom helps young explorers investigate their urban waterfronts, learn about environmental science and help develop them as the next generation of marine and environmental scientists. Guru Krupa’s commitment has helped us provide year-round instruction to middle school youth across New York City.
We congratulate the Guru Krupa Foundation on their well-deserved recognition as The South Asian Times’ Organization of the Year 2024.
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Rebecca Cohen, Executive Director & Co-founder, Brooklyn Book Bodega, NY
Brooklyn Book Bodega’s mission is to increase the number of 100+ book homes for kids 0-18 in NYC because reading is transformative. Research shows the impact of book access on their educational outcomes (they stay in school longer), financial attainment (they have more earning power as adults), and overall health (their socio-emotional health is stronger).
Since 2023, the Guru Krupa Foundation and Mukund Padmanabhan have been pivotal in our ability to host programming and increase book access in NYC. With their partnership and generous support, we have hosted two cornerstone programs this year: our monthly Community Days, open to all New Yorkers, and our caregiver program, which gives low-income families the educational resources they need to develop a book culture at home.
We thank Mukund for recognizing that improving access to books and reading can improve life outcomes, create a passion for learning, and break intergenerational poverty cycles.
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Rina Madhani, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Start Lighthouse, Bronx, NY
Guru Krupa Foundation has been a vital supporter of Start Lighthouse since 2023. Their generosity has had a transformative impact on our work. Thanks to their support, we opened our third Literacy Hub at PS 161, providing students with multicultural books that celebrate their identities and introduce them to new perspectives. These resources help build home libraries while fostering a love for reading that resonates within families and creates lifelong connections to literacy.
What sets GKF apart is their commitment to creating real, lasting change. Their belief in the power of education has allowed us to expand our reach and deepen our impact within underserved communities. We’re grateful for their partnership and the brighter future they’re helping us build for our students.
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A.L. Rangarajan, Country Manager, India Literacy Project, Chennai
The Guru Krupa Foundation is dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for children in India. Through a strategic partnership with India Literacy Project (ILP), GKF has significantly impacted thousands of students.
GKF has funded two key ILP initiatives over the past three years:
Multi-Dimensional Learning Space (MDLS) Program: This unique learning framework focuses on reading, experiential science, and social sciences, benefiting over 10,000 students in 27 schools.
Hands-on Science and Electronics Education: In collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology - Madras (IITM), ILP has brought cutting-edge science and technology to 24,000 students in 18 schools. Students are equipped with innovative science and electronics kits to foster scientific thinking and spark innovation.
GKF’s partnership with ILP has ensured that ILP improves learning in government schools and prepares students for the future workforce.
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Sangeetha Alwin, General Manager - Operations, ANEW, Chennai
Since 1997, ANEW (Association for Non-Traditional Employment for Women) has been a skill-building NGO that empowers less-privileged women. We train and place nearly 1,000 women annually and remain steadfast in our mission: “Educate a woman, empower a family.”
Our beneficiaries come from challenging economic backgrounds, often daughters of daily wage earners. These women aspire to improve their lives and lift their families from poverty. With GKF’s consistent support, ANEW has provided 350 women with basic IT skills and 150 women with Tally (computerized accounting) training. Today, many of these women are employed in respectable roles such as Admin, HR, and Accounts Executives. Financial independence has not only improved their standard of living but also positively impacted their families and communities.
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Kayoko Mitsumatsu, Founder & Executive Director, Yoga Gives Back, Los Angeles, CA
In 2020, as a nonprofit organization seeking funds to empower underserved populations in India, we applied for the Guru Krupa Foundation’s grant to support 50 underserved girls in rural India to live in a safe group home with a solid education. We were inspired to learn the diversity and scale of programs the foundation funds with generous grants in India and the USA rooted in the founder’s spirituality to serve the underserved and less fortunate.
At Yoga Gives Back, we are grateful for Mr. Mukund Padmanabhan’s unwavering commitment to our mission and his generosity in supporting 140 disadvantaged youths in India to achieve college degrees in 2025. GKF deserves the highest humanitarian recognition for its profound impact in today’s world, creating a more just and even playing field for all.
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V. Muralidharan, Founder & Managing Director, Sevalaya, Chennai, India
Mukund Padmanabhan and GKF adviser S. Madhavan (top right) visited Sevalaya. (Photo courtesy: Guru Krupa Foundation)
Sevalaya provides free education to underprivileged children. We have received grants from the Guru Krupa Foundation every year since 2016. We utilized the funds to provide school uniforms to over 2,000 students.
For the past four years, GKF has also extended support for Sevalaya’s skill development courses, free to underprivileged rural youth, including school dropouts. These courses have helped over 500 youths get free training in computers and tailoring. Over 80% of our trainees are gainfully employed, earning the much-needed income to support their families. Now, GKF is also supporting a course to train beauticians.
Interestingly, the funds directed toward uniforms indirectly provided a channel of earning for the tailoring unit students.
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Debra A. Pennington, President, Grassroots India, Cuttack, Odisha
Grassroots India works to empower young girls from rural Odisha. We run Hariharananda Vocational Training Center, a residential school for underprivileged girls aged 17-28, and W.I.S.H. Network (Women’s Independent Self-Help). Guru Krupa Foundation has consistently contributed to free housing, food, training, and medical care for hundreds of our girls.
Mukund Padmanabhan’s keen listening, asking tough questions, and desire to help have made a strong impression on us. Under him, GKF operates highly professionally, following accounting, law, and reporting processes. However, Sri Padmanabhan’s loving attitude, a true reflection of their organization’s name, is the most memorable.
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P. Natarajan, Trustee and Hon. Treasurer, Bala Mandir Kamaraj Trust, Chennai
Mukund Padmanabhan visited Bala Mandir. (Photo courtesy: Guru Krupa Foundation)
Congratulations to the Guru Krupa Foundation on being recognized as the Organization of the Year by The South Asian Times newspaper.
We are a 75-year-old organization caring for children facing difficult circumstances. Grants from GKF for the past four years have enabled us to provide nutritious meals and educational aids for 400 children in the school we set up. These children are from economically underprivileged families as well as orphans and destitute from Bala Mandir.
Guru Krupa is keen on reviewing and guiding our work. They have encouraged Bala Mandir to adopt some of the best communication practices, including starting a blog on our website.
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Swami Shashishikhananda, Secretary, RKM Vivekananda Girls School, Chennai
We at Sri Ramakrishna Math Vivekananda Centenary Girls Higher Secondary School thank The South Asian Times and its team for recognizing the Guru Krupa Foundation, which reaches out and helps hundreds and thousands of underprivileged persons.
I am proud of our association with GKF. The foundation sponsors nutritious meals for our 780 students, which has helped their all-round development and focus in studies. GKF also covers teachers’ salaries in subjects like Computer Science, Mathematics and English. This allows us to focus on improving our quality of education. The state government gave us the “Girl Friendly School” Award, and we are acknowledged as a model school in our area.
When Sri Mukund Padmanabhan visited some time ago, our school staff and students thanked him. It was a blissful moment for us.
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Swami Dharmisthananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Students Home, Chennai
Guru Krupa Foundation has given Ramakrishna Mission Students Home Residential High School grants for five years to meet staff salaries.
We have 14 teachers and other staff. We educate orphaned and poor students with free food and accommodation in the gurukula tradition. Most of them are first-generation learners. They come from various parts of Tamil Nadu, belonging to different castes, creeds, and religions.
GKF grants are crucial for us. We thank Sri Mukund Padmanabhan and his team at the foundation for their continuous and magnanimous support of the education of poor and orphaned students.
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Managing Partner, MangoTree Real Estate Holdings President, World Vegan Vision NY
It fills me with immense joy to congratulate the Guru Krupa Foundation (GKF), founded by the visionary Mukund Padmanabhan, on being recognized as the Organization of the Year 2024 by The South Asian Times. This well-deserved honor is a testament to the foundation’s unwavering commitment to uplifting society and creating a lasting impact.
Through its exemplary initiatives, GKF has transformed countless lives, fostering education, healthcare, and cultural preservation. The foundation’s dedication to serving underprivileged communities with humility and purpose embodies the spirit of selfless service and inspires us all.
Mukund Padmanabhan is exceptionally modest and humble; meeting him, one would scarcely believe the incredible feats he has accomplished in life. His leadership exemplifies how compassion and strategic philanthropy can unite to make a profound difference. We deeply value and respect our association with GKF and are proud to support its noble mission. May GKF continue to be a beacon of hope and positivity, elevating society with its remarkable contributions.
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Kathleen Crowley, Director of Donor Relations, Wiki Education, Chico, CA
It has been an absolute pleasure collaborating with Mukund Padmanabhan to bring Wikipedia editing to college classrooms across the US. Since 2022, the Guru Krupa Foundation has generously supported Wiki Education’s Communicating Science initiative. This initiative aims to update and expand the amount of high-quality information in Wikipedia articles covering STEM subjects.
To date, the Guru Krupa Foundation has enabled 2,350 students to learn how to assess existing research, identify what’s missing, and write in a way that is accessible to the public reading Wikipedia worldwide.
Mukund’s dedication to growing young people’s interest in STEM will help ensure that our future in science, technology, engineering, and math looks bright. I’m thankful for Mukund’s friendship and thrilled to deepen our partnership to create, acquire, and preserve knowledge for all.
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Sri Natesa Janakiraman, President, Samskrita Bharati USA, Santa Clara, CA
Samskrita Bharati USA is a non-profit organization teaching and promoting Sanskrit language in the USA for over 25 years. Many young and old people take SBUSA’s classes nationwide, conducted in-person and online. SBUSA also runs a 3-year accredited online program -- Samskritam As a Foreign Language (SAFL) -- for 8-12 grade students.
Guru Krupa Foundation’s grants for the past 10+ years have supported SBUSA activities like family camps, lectures, concerts, workshops, souvenirs, publication of textbooks for SAFL students, books for children, and purchase and upkeep of its office building in Aldie, VA.
We are grateful to GKF and Sri Mukund Padmanabhan for helping Samskrita Bharati USA in its mission to promote Sanskrit as an everyday language and provide access to its rich knowledge repository.
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Former CEO, Cognizant Foundation India, Chennai
I met Mukund Padmanabhan during my 2021 visit to the US and have cherished our friendship ever since.
As the CEO of Cognizant Foundation (the CSR arm of the global IT major – Cognizant Technology Solutions), I worked with and supported many NGOs. My close interactions with some of them - whose work I admired and respected - prompted me to refer them to Mukund. He accepted my assistance, and the Guru Krupa Foundation has since provided substantial recurring grants to credible and deserving NGOs in Tamil Nadu.
Mukund Padmanabhan is a simple and unassuming person. He has a genuine concern for the underprivileged and a sincere desire to help the needy and the deserving. He is very methodical and meticulous, whether he evaluates proposals at the application stage or reviews the progress of projects in the field. I have accompanied him on some of these project review visits in India. His interactions with beneficiary organizations during these visits – offering them thoughtful advice and helpful suggestions – reflect his mindset, which identifies himself and the Guru Krupa Foundation as Partners (and not just as donors) to the beneficiary organizations in their mission to serve the society.
I am delighted that the Guru Krupa Foundation has been chosen as The South Asian Times' Organization of the Year 2024. I extend my heartiest congratulations to Mukund Padmanabhan and Team Guru Krupa on this well-deserved recognition for their exemplary work in the USA and India.
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Jayshree Vencatesan, Managing Trustee, Care Earth Trust, Chennai
Our mission is ‘Biodiversity. People. Conservation.’ Our pioneering projects have earned us the Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskaar.
GKF has supported two of our projects: a shallow wetland called Arasankazhani Anaicut Thangal near Chennai, and a bird sanctuary, Therthan in Ramanathapuram.
These remotely located projects need to work with the local government. The threat of an erratic monsoon and missing deadlines also looms. Mukund Padmanabhan factored these into project monitoring. He supports small yet significant projects, visits the project sites and does not impose his agenda. His interaction with CET’s Das Anna is a cherished memory.
Sri Padmanabhan is a quintessential Chennaite. He has top academic credentials and a career dotted with achievements of global impact. Yet, he remains a simple, unassuming, and grounded individual determined to do good to others.
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Sesshadri Srinivasan, Managing Trustee, Sri Poorna Mahameru Trust, Chennai
Mukund Padmanabhan visited Sri Poorna Mahameru Trust project - here seen with Guruprasad (extreme right), Kartik and Sri Sesshadri. (Photo courtesy: Guru Krupa Foundation)
Since 2016, the Guru Krupa Foundation has been a vital supporter of our initiatives, such as renovating our elder home and launching a free food distribution van.
We admire GKF’s transparent functioning, led by Mr. Mukund Padmanabhan. They do their due diligence while respecting our autonomy, which speaks to their trust in us and their strong values.
Congratulations to GKF on being named The South Asian Times – Organization of the Year 2024.
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Sivakamavalli Muniyandi, Director, Women’s Organization for Rural Development, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu
Women's Organization for Rural Development (WORD) is a 33-year-old organization in Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu, dedicated to empowering women. Since 2019, WORD has been supported by grants from the Guru Krupa Foundation. The organization runs tailoring skill development centers and a garment production unit, empowering women to achieve financial independence.
Key achievements include 600 women empowered, providing them with valuable skills.
Mrs. S. Gowthami, 31, from Namakkal, exemplifies WORD's success. Thanks to GKF, she learned tailoring skills and secured orders from OTP Tex, boosting her income and confidence. She uses her earnings to educate her girls.
GKF’s support has created a ripple effect, demonstrating how empowering women can positively change their lives and communities.
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Ah-Hyung ‘Alissa’ Park, Ronald and Valerie Sugar Dean
UCLA Samueli School of Engineering, Los Angeles
We are grateful for the generosity of Mukund Padmanabhan and the Guru Krupa Foundation. With wide-ranging support for students through scholarships and fellowships, innovative research through the establishment of endowed faculty chairs, and continued expansion through capital contributions, the impact of his philanthropy is felt across the entirety of the school.
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ACFA Team, IIT Kharagpur
The music auditorium of IIT Kharagpur’s Academy of Classical and Folk Arts (ACFA) has been supported by the Guru Krupa Foundation. (Photo courtesy ACFA)
The Academy of Classical and Folk Arts (ACFA) at IIT Kharagpur is grateful to the Guru Krupa Foundation, USA, and its President, Mukund Padmanabhan, PhD, for their continued support since the academy's inception in 2020. Thanks to their generous support, ACFA has been able to conduct lec-dems regularly, invited lectures/performances, and workshops by eminent musicians and artists through the years, as well as conducting regular classes in music and fine arts for the campus community comprising students, employees, and their family members. This contributes to the holistic development of students, focusing on fostering critical thinking, creativity, and ethical values while encouraging physical well-being, emotional resilience, and interpersonal skills.
The GKF Research Fellows scheme supports seed funding for research ideas at the intersection of music/arts and science/technology. Dr. Padmanabhan takes a special interest in our activities and continuously offers us constructive feedback and ideas. In the initial phase, GKF also supported the setting up of two modern classrooms with state-of-the-art acoustics that are loved by the students and visitors. We sincerely thank GKF and look forward to our continued association.