Be the Pebble in the Pond: The Ravi Pradeep Story

We have seen this in history over and over again that change or a revolution always starts with one person, never an ideology, agenda or a government. It happens when one man or woman decides that enough is enough and that sets the wheels in motion to bring about change.

Whether it was Mohandas K. Gandhi in India, Dr. Ambedkar for the Dalits, Rosa Parks in Atlanta, GA, Nelson Mandela in South Africa or the Tank Man in Tiananmen Square in China, the revolution began because of one man or woman standing up to a system, regime, history, or tradition.

This will be a first of many blogs highlighting how one person's kindness and compassion changed the course of lives for generations to come. The very first story would be that of Ravi Pradeep, whose name is very familiar to all of us as we have read about him and Society for Integrated Rural Development (SFIRD) and their involvement with the work being done amongst the Yenadis and the Dalits in the Andhra Pradesh area.

Dalit: Also known as untouchable, a person who belongs to one of the lowest caste, outside the four main castes (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and the Shudras); a term that is used to describe groups of people who were considered impure from birth; a member of the Scheduled Castes.

Our hope is true freedom for India, through social equality to cultural quality; our motto: better villages for a better world and our battle cry: to be in times of crisis, instruments of progress. — Prof. Michael A. Windey

The Ravi Pradeep Story

Ravi comes from the coastal region of Bapatla in the Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh, India. In 1969, disastrous floods struck the Bapatla region. It was indeed a grueling ordeal for the people of Bapatla to be struck twice in the same year by devastating cyclonic storms. The storm left a vast trail of destruction and heavy loss of lives.

▲ Ravi with Prof. Windey in 1993.

One man known as Prof. Michael A. Windey who headed an NGO in Guntur arrived in Bapatla right after the storms. He gathered all the children and started teaching songs, nursery rhymes, stories and so forth. The children were delighted to see a "foreigner" visiting the Bapatla region after the great floods. This would be first of many interactions between Ravi and his family with Prof. Windey that would revolutionize his life and put him on a trajectory that he had not dreamed about.

Prof. Windey started Village Reconstruction Organization (VRO), an NGO responsible for the reconstruction of houses in villages destroyed by storms and floods. The formation of SFIRD, the NGO we are associated with, and many others who went on to become social workers and leaders were mentored and nurtured by the work and commitment of Prof. Windey.

Under the guidance and mentorship of Prof. Windey, Ravi went on to pursue a bachelor's degree in social work from Osmania University and subsequently a master’s degree in from the prestigious TATA Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. After finishing his studies, he joined VRO as a full-time social worker and played a part in the construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of many villages and homes in the Bapatla region through the mentorship and nurturing of Prof. Windey.

▲ Ravi with Dr. Rama Rao and the SFIRD team amongst the Yenadis in Naidupet.

▲ The SFIRD team organizing the flood relief/assistance in October 2024.

After the passing of Prof. Windey in September 2009, Ravi started Society for Integrated Rural Development (SFIRD) in Guntur. Today, SFIRD is a team of experienced and committed social workers who have given their lives to the betterment of the downtrodden sections of the Indian social structure. Most of the target families belong to the lowest caste, and they reside near the borders of the main village in the Bapatla region. These people face a high amount of social stigma and discrimination. SFIRD has been working to eradicate the social disability of the poor and weaker sections, focusing on the upliftment of the rural and urban poor, eliminating child labour, eradicating child sexual abuse (at schools, at neighborhood and communities), and to put an end to early forced marriages of children. Furthermore, SFIRD aims at promoting social, economic and legal justice for the needy and deserving communities in various parts of Andhra Pradesh.

A crisis situation impacted Ravi and inspired him to take a step to change and turn his life around in spite of the circumstances, the limitations and the prejudices. It is important to note that crisis became an opportune time for Ravi to grow and develop into the person of character he is today.

Ironically, the executive committee of SFIRD is made up of people from the downtrodden sections of society who have risen above social discrimination to become champions for the poor and vulnerable sections of society, especially along the lines of Dalit rights, gender equality and empowerment activities.

SFIRD Accomplishments & Awards

Here are some of the awards in recognition of SFIRD's work among the socially oppressed:

• The Changemaker Award from Save the Children for continued commitment to realize the rights of children

• Recognition from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India for implementation of special training centers as well as COVID relief centers and prevention activities

• Recognition by the Collector and District Magistrate of Guntur for meritorious service in the department of NGOs

▲ "Ravi-garu" as he is known amongst the people that he works with, spearheads the work that is being done amongst the Yenadis at the dumping yard.

Ravi has been happily married to Mary Victoria since 1987, and they have two children, a daughter (a dentist) and son (a surgeon) — truly a story of significant transformation that has impacted future generations. It might have not happened had it not been for one person's act of compassion and kindness — a ripple effect, very much a pebble in the pond.

Numerous people have been transformed as a result of Ravi's influence and SFIRD's relentless efforts among those in the most marginalized segments of society.

Today Restoration Humanity is very privileged to work alongside Ravi and SFIRD in making a change in the lives of the Yenadi people at the dumping yard and Ambedkar Nagar with a hope for a better future for the next generations. The circle of poverty and oppression will be broken and their future brighter because people just simply cared!

So let's not underestimate the power of a single act of kindness, consideration, or compassion. We will never know how many people it could touch and transform — people we may never meet or know. Our actions in life have lasting impact, even after we are gone — because in the the words of General Maximus Decimus Meridius from the movie Gladiator, when he addresses the Roman army:

What we do in life, echoes in eternity!

Thank you for being a part of this inspiring journey!

If you would like to know more: more.info@rhlife.org

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