Kundan Srivastava is a social activist and author who has dedicated his life to humanitarian causes. We interviewed Kundan. Read on to learn what the inspirational man had to say.
Welcome to e-Books India, Kundan. We are delighted to have you join us for this interview. Can you please tell us a bit about you? Where do you come from, and what are your qualifications?
Thank you! I belong to Raxaul, a small town from district ‘East Champaran’ in Bihar well known for Satyagraha movement. I am the youngest social activist founder of the NGO Be In Humanity Foundation and the co-author of the novel about women issues called Title is Untitled. I did B.Tech in Information Technology and graduated at Dehradun Institute of Technology, Dehradun. I was awarded the Universal Humanity Award [2013], which is an International Prestigious Award for Excellence in Humanitarian Services honoured by Kapil Sibbal, former union minister of Communications and Information Technology and Law and Justice and Mr Malose William Mogale (South Africa High Commissioner), and the Pithadhhish Award, Bihar [2012] as the youngest social activist working towards humanity causes and crimes against women.
You are recognised as one of the country’s youngest social activists. Could you please tell us a bit about your experiences that resulted in your becoming an activist?
Yes! I became passionate about social work after facing three misfortunes in my life. I was kidnapped in 2004, my younger brother died in 2005, and my father died in 2012. I was protesting against the bureaucracy and mafia that were taking over the education system and was kidnapped in 2004 at the age of 14 years. I was hidden away and scared with those thugs for seven days. But I managed to escape from their hold. I was also shot in the leg while escaping. Those incidences changed my life. My devotion to social work is worship to God about his commitment to the society.
You are the founder of the Non-Governmental organization called Be In Humanity Foundation (BIH). What made you start this organization and what types of causes and people does BIH support?
I went on to complete my education and finished my engineering degree. I was determined to complete my education as my brother died one year after my kidnapping, and my father passed away soon after.
What kept me going was my increased work in the social sector. I soon founded Be In Humanity Foundation (BIH), a non-governmental organization. The NGO has been working for humanity, needy people and crimes against women for the three years. Be In Humanity Foundation is a grass root level organization and is a self-sustaining one. We don’t take donations and we give up a percentage of our personal earnings to help run the organization. The NGO currently reaches twelve states in India. Examples of our work include supporting humanitarian causes in Raxaul and helping to address the death of 10-15 people every week that are dying from cancer, respiratory diseases, airborne diseases and cancer, caused by chemical waste and clinker dust created by the railway in the region.
We also took up the case of a Delhi man who raped his office colleague for 2 months after blackmailing her with a fake marriage certificate. We filed an FIR, and provided a lawyer to the victim to fight on her behalf.
You are also the co-author of the book entitled Title is Untitled: First Night, No Light, centred on the topic of rape. Please tell us a some more about the book.
The book blends facts with fiction to spread more awareness in our society. The facts are about various problems in the present urban and rural societies of India, and are wrapped in fiction, utilizing case studies to elaborate them. Women of our country are often victims of issues such as rape, marital rape, prostitution, child marriage, child trafficking and others. The book covers these topics through eleven, unique independent stories.
What types of responses have you received from readers, the media and other organizations to your book Title is Untitled: First Night, No Light?
The book has received great responses by readers and especially women readers. The book has been praised by individuals such as the actor and director Kabir Sadanand. Various media outlets have also featured the book positively, such as YourStory, Navbharat Times, Dainik Jagran and APN News.
Are you working on any other book(s)? If so, can you please tell us some more?
Yes! I am writing my next book called Black Dreams – It is a story of a teenage boy who defeated the fear of death because of his courage and dedication towards society. I will unveil the story soon.
From your experience, can you please share 3 pieces of advice to people who want to create social change within their communities?
1. Become a true human being.
2. Before changing others or society, change yourself.
3. Don’t wait for others. Start helping a disadvantaged person near to you.
How can people find out more about you?
People can connect with me at the following:
My website: https://www.kundansrivastava.com/about/
Facebook Official Page: https://www.facebook.com/founderkundansrivastava
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ErKundan3
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://writingtipsoasis.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/hv1.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Hiten Vyas is the Founder and Managing Editor of eBooks India. He is also a prolific eBook writer with over 25 titles to his name.[/author_info] [/author]