Leaving behind the corporate world where he worked, Pradeep has dived full fledged into social service for the tribals through Astha Sansthan.

Originally hailing from Odisha, Pradeep Pradhan has been working at the NGO-Astha Sansthan in Udaipur for the last one and a half years.

Describing Astha’s work, Pradeep says the NGO talks about people’s rights especially those of the tribals. They create awareness among the tribals in areas around Udaipur. He says tribals are very backward socially and financially and he works on how change can be brought to their lives.

Pradeep laments that people do not understand how important forests are for the tribals. He says the tribals are a part of the forests. Pradeep, through the NGO, teaches them how to conserve and add value to the jungles. He believes uplifting the lives of the tribals is a nation-building activity.

After completing his MBA, Pradeep was working in the corporate world. When he was working in the World Bank, he travelled all around the world learning about different cultures. But, when he toured India-his own country, he was amazed at the diversity of the Indian people and their cultures. When he talked to people in the rural areas he realized that only building roads, ports or factories is not development. We must bring a change in the lives of the rural and tribal people to sustain development.

Talking about Covid times, Pradeep says that it was a new situation for everybody. He says he learnt new communication technologies and feels more resourceful after Corona.

Pradeep says there is no particular role model in his life. He finds inspiration from his family and friends and his co-workers. He says there were failures in his life but he learned from them.

Pradeep believes that there are no victories or defeats in life, it is always a journey.