In his words
Quotes by Raghu Vamsi Kadiri
Nobody owes you their attention just because your cause is worthy.
From “What I Wish I Knew Before Starting an NGO at 18”, 2026
Lines from his essays and pages, grouped by theme. Each one links to where he wrote it, so you can quote him in context.
Starting young
On registering an NGO at eighteen, the first year nobody sees, and being taken seriously.
I wish I had understood earlier that passion needs structure.
What I Wish I Knew Before Starting an NGO at 18
What I eventually learned is that attention is earned, not owed.
What I Wish I Knew Before Starting an NGO at 18
The lesson I would offer in retrospect is that invisible work is still work.
Starting a Company at 18 in India: The First Year Nobody Talks About
The first year is not a year you announce.
Starting a Company at 18 in India: The First Year Nobody Talks About
What does work is letting the work speak louder than the age.
Starting a Company at 18 in India: The First Year Nobody Talks About
If I had waited until I was “ready,” I would still be waiting.
What Building Marpu Foundation Taught Me About Social Entrepreneurship
Funding follows action, not the other way around.
What Building Marpu Foundation Taught Me About Social Entrepreneurship
If you do not like something, change it.
Not his line: his father’s advice, which Raghu took literally
CSR and companies
On what companies get wrong about CSR, and what CSR teams look for.
Most CSR in Hyderabad is broken. Not because companies do not care.
Why Hyderabad Companies Need Volunteer-First CSR in 2026
Companies spend crores on CSR but get zero engagement dividend from it.
Why Hyderabad Companies Need Volunteer-First CSR in 2026
Five years ago, they asked me how to spend their CSR budget effectively. Today, they ask me how to make employees feel connected to their company’s purpose.
Why Hyderabad Companies Need Volunteer-First CSR in 2026
The difference between getting funded and getting rejected is rarely about your cause.
What Corporates Look for Before Funding Your NGO
A no often means it did not fit, not that your work does not matter.
What Corporates Look for Before Funding Your NGO
Running an NGO
On compliance, credibility and building something that lasts.
Registration is the starting line.
What Running an NGO for Seven Years Taught Me About Compliance
The NGOs that survive long-term are not always the ones with the best programs.
What Running an NGO for Seven Years Taught Me About Compliance
One successful project opens doors for the next.
What Building Marpu Foundation Taught Me About Social Entrepreneurship
Dependency is comfortable in the short term but dangerous in the long term.
7 Years of Leading an NGO: The Leadership Lessons No One Talks About
When you build from within, you build something that lasts.
7 Years of Leading an NGO: The Leadership Lessons No One Talks About
Systems and change
On why Marpu works across water, energy, education and health at once.
If the existing solution worked, the problem would already be solved. So we build new ones.
Marpu Foundation
Poverty is not a standalone problem. […] Fix the systems and poverty fixes itself.
Founder’s page, Marpu Foundation
For me, kincentrism is not just a principle but a way of life that echoes through every initiative I lead.
Kincentric Leadership, 2023 to 2024 cohort
Using these quotes
Quote freely, with attribution: Raghu Vamsi Kadiri, founder of Marpu Foundation, and a link to the source where you can.
For a line on a topic not covered here, or a comment for a story on deadline, see the media page or write to hi@kadiriraghuvamsi.com.
Facts and figures to go with a quote are on the fact file.
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