Belief: There are Million ways to Success but there is only one way to Failure ‘Not trying’. 

Kavitha Reddy, is the recipient of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Award 2017, she is a native of Anekal Taluk and comes from a family of social-political activists with a very modest background. A spirited activist who believes in Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of ‘be the change you seek’ and follower of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, carry a reputation among family, friends and neighborhood as someone who is hardworking and outspoken. 

She has over two decades of industry experience as VP IndiaLife Hewitt and later as Co-founder VP of TeamLease Services, India’s largest Staffing company, where she has worked extensively on Policy Advocacy – Pension Reforms, Labour Reforms, Skill Development, Training. 

Armed with a vast and successful corporate background and passion to ‘Evolve adventure as the most effective learning tool, to revive the spirit of adventure among people from all walks of life, and be environment cognizant’ she Co-founded Basecamp Adventures a company that focuses on Adventure Travel & Outbound Learning. She is also the Trustee of Kaagaz Foundation an NGO that focuses on Environmental Campaigns, Women Empowerment and Education. She is also an investor/advisor in start-up companies Skawin Medical & Healthcare, Skawin Global Services and Talent Tree HR Services via JK Ventures a consulting and investment company. 

Kavitha is a Fitness Enthusiast, Runner, Cyclist and qualified Mountaineer from Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, she has climbed several peaks in the Indian and Nepal Himalayas, including some of the most challenging peaks in Himalayas. She is also the 1st Mountaineer from Karnataka to climb two mountains in the same year and aspires to climb Mt Everest and several other mountains. She has trekked in several parts of Indian & Nepal Himalayas and the forests in South-of-India, an avid adventure photographer and freelance writer and she writes regularly for several newspapers, online media and blogs. She also shares her Adventure Tourism expertise and Advocates Safety and Sustainable Tourism Policies. 

Lakes, Water sustainability is an issue that Kavitha has been relentlessly working on, advocating policies to make Bengaluru City less dependent on Kaveri water by reviving Lakes and creating RWH zones. She also gives talks on Lakes in various schools and college to create awareness and about the need to think ahead and make Bengaluru self sustained. She has been advocating the three steps method to make Lakes RWH Zones and revive them with less efforts. She has been involved in Campaigning for Revival & Conservation of Agara Lake, Somasundrapalya Lake, Mangamanapalya Lake, helped Citizen Groups of Haraluru Lake, supporting Citizens Groups of Kudlu Doddakere, Kembathalli Lake, Beratena Agrahara Lake and is currently working with Muthanallur Residents for Saving, Revival & Conservation of Muthanallur Lake.

Through Kaagaz Foundation she has been initiating Tree Plantation drives at Lakes, Parks, Schools, Colleges every year and encourages the maintenance of the Sapling locally, she is also instrumental in creating and maintaining a mini-Forest with 300+ Trees at HSR Layout 4th Sector, a cut off piece of Land of Agara Lake. 

Kavitha is also Alumni of B.PAC Civic Leadership Program (B.CLIP) a B.PAC flagship initiative that equips individuals with skills in Public Policy, Civic Administration, Local Governance, City Administration, Urban Reforms and more.

Firm believer of inclusive & sustainable growth, decentralized governance, people participation and advocates women empowerment. She lends her voice and support for campaigns on Environment, Lakes, Women Empowerment and Social issues. She has been working extensively to Urban issue, specifically for Bengaluru and has championed successfully #KillBills a Citizen movement against Visual Pollution, that is the Banners/Flex/Posters and #PotholePooje to draw the attention of Authorities to fill the deadly Potholes in Bengaluru. She is a voracious reader and a self confessed news addict; keeps herself updated on political, social and environmental issues and developments.

Kavitha along with her colleague Jigna Modh undertook Yatra For Constitution to mark 70 years since We the People of India adopted the Constitution, on 26th Nov 1949. This unique Yatra was 817 Kms from Bengaluru to Bidar by Walk/Run/Cycle covering 10 Districts of Karnataka and created awareness about our Constitution among children from High School and Colleges enroute Bengaluru to Bidar also received a huge Media coverage, Yatra For Constitution entered the India Book of Records. 

Once a Sportsperson is always a Sportsperson, Kavitha has always promoted Sport and Fitness, organizing Running/Marathon via Kaagaz Foundation as Fund Raising Events and sponsoring other Sports kept her in close touch with the Sports Fraternity. She also initiated steps to promote Handball and the Spirit of Sports. 

Kavitha was actively involved in Kodagu Flood Relief Work, and with a Team was stationed at the DC Office managing the inflow and materials, segregation and packing Relief Kits for disbursements. Through Kaagaz Foundation worked extensively during the COVID19 crisis, in 2020 and 2021 helping the Migrant Labours & Urban Poor with Food, Ration Kits, Masks, access to Govt Schemes etc

As an Activist Kavitha lead the Anti CAA-NPR-NRC Protest from the front and traveled extensively across Karnataka address various Protests and also as core member of We The People of India organized several protests and programs against CAA-NPR-NRC.

COVID19 has impacted the Education Process and putting back less privileged Children to School needs a relentless effort, Kavitha with likeminded people has initiated ಕಾರಂಜಿ – Kāran̄ji a bridge School Program via Kaagaz Foundation supported by Crowd Funding and various CSR Funds. 

Unity Ride, 300 Kms Cycling from Bengaluru to Sriperumbudur, 16th to 20th Aug 2021 to pay Tributes to Ex PM Bharat Ratna Shri Rajiv Gandhi on his 77th Birth Anniversary. Kavitha led a team of 14 people who were the 1st time Cyclists on this remarkable journey to remember Shri Rajiv Gandhi and his contributions to make India a Better Nation and a Progressive Nation.

As Sports Enthusiast and Philanthropist she initiated #RunForCause via the most popular Running Event HSR 10K Freedom Run that is held every year on 15th of August and focuses on bringing in the Running community not only to participate in the Run but also to Run for a Cause, HSR 10K Freedom Run by Kaagaz Foundation started in 2013 with #SaveAgaraLake and continues to take up many other Causes and Creating Awareness. Other Runs that are organized every year include the Women’s Day Run and Gender Equality Run which are equally popular among the Running community of Bengaluru. 

Associated with #MissionSanjeevani of Oxfam India to Interact & Train ASHA Workers on COVID19 Protocols, Vaccination, Public and Personal Safety and provide Medical/Safety Kits for 7500 ASHA Workers in selected districts of Karnataka – Tumakuru, Ballari (Hospet & Vijayanagara), Chitradurga, Bengaluru, Bengaluru Rural, Raichur, Koppala, Kolar.

Participated in Mekedatu Padayatra from Sangama to Ramanagara 9th to 12th Jan 2022, walked 65 kms as part of #NammaNeeruNammaHakku #MekedatuNammaHakku demand for Mekadatu Dam initiated by KPCC. 

Joined Bharat Jodo Yatra led by Shri Rahul Gandhi in the Karnataka segment of the Yatra 450 kms from Gundlupete to Ballari 30th Sept to 15th Oct 2022, #BharatJodoYatra 

Participated in Ahimsa Ke Raste, a 4-day Workshop that reflect upon the State of the Country, Politics and own Political journey to develop a deeper understanding of how we can help restore India to the path of the Constitution. Also promote a community of people working to preserve Ahimsa within themselves, in Politics, in Society and Nation. 

Kavitha is an active Member of India National Congress, she is currently Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee State General Secretary, she was also the Party Spokesperson from June 2017 to Aug 2023, held various posts and responsibilities in the Party over 15 years. She has been appointed Member of Karnataka Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Board on 26th July 2024.

An avid writer she writes by-lines and articles on Policies Social issues, Political, Employment, Women, Environment, Business, Travel etc to various News Papers & Portals, also runs a Newsletter Mahinda Tribune. 

………………………….Milestones………………………….

– Blood Donor, Donated 37th Unit Blood on 14th June 2024

– Bharat Jodo Yatra, 30th Sept to 15th October 2022, Gundlupete to Ballari

– Karnataka State Police COVID Warrior Appreciation, Feb 2022

– Outreach and Training of 7500 ASHA Workers in 9 Districts of Karnataka Oct-Nov 2021

– Honorary Doctorate, Bharath Virtual University, Peace & Education, Oct 2021

– Unity Ride, 300 Kms Cycling, Bengaluru to Sriperumbudur, 16th to 20th Aug 2021

– India Prime ICON Award Environmentalist & Social Leader, May 2021

– Honour for Blood Donor, Govt of Kar & BBMP on World Aids Day, 1st Dec 2020

– Record Holder – India Book of Records 2020, Cycling/Walking for 817 Kms (Yatra For Constitution)

– Yuva Spurthi Award, ASR Creations, 2019 

– Yatra For Constitution Walk/Run/Cycle 817 Kms 14 Days, Bengaluru – Bidar, 26 Nov – 9 Dec 2019

– Author, Our Agara Lake, Handbook released on 5th June 2019

– Author, Voices Matter, a compilation of her articles, 9th May 2019

– Volunteered during Kodagu Flood Relief Operations,  Aug 2018

– Author, Nanna Olage Indira – Women Safety Handbook, released by Chief Minister, GoK, 2017

– Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Award, Govt of Karnataka, 2017

– 1st Mountaineer from Karnataka to climb two peaks in Indian Himalayas same year, 2012

– Climbed over 15 peaks in Indian & Nepal Himalayas

– Finalist at Sankalp Awards 2011, a Social Entrepreneur Award

– Co-published ‘Making India’s Labour Markets Inclusive‘, 2009 

– Senior Under Officer & NCC ‘C’ Certification, 1994 

– Indo-Canada Youth Exchange, 1994

– Participated at Republic Day Parade & PM Rally, Kar & Goa NCC Directorate, 1993 

– Received Winners Trophy for NCC Directorate Kar & Goa from PM, 1993 

– Brown Belt in Karate 1993 

– College Athlete, 1988 -1993 

………………………….Associations & Civic Roles………………………….

– General Secretary, Siddaramaiah-75 Amruta Mahotsava Committee

– Member, BCLIP Alumni Association

– EC Member, RWA 1st Sector HSR Layout (2019-2021)

– Founder Vice President, Agara Lake Protection & Management Society (ALPMS)

– Co-Founder Member HaSiRu Mithra a Citizen initiative for a better locality

– Civic Hub Leader, a B.PAC initiative

– Director, Anekal HSR RWA

………………………….Government & Political Roles………………………….

– KPCC General Secretary, In-charge Bellary City, Aug 2024

– Member, Karnataka Building & Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, July 2024

– KPCC General Secretary, In-charge Mahalaxmi Layout AC, MLC 2024 Elections

– KPCC General Secretary, In-charge Dharwad LS Constituency, 2024 Elections

– Spokesperson, June 2017 – Aug 2023 & General Secretary, Communication Dept, July 2022 – Aug 2023

– KPCC General Secretary, from April 2022, In-charge Harappanahalli & Harihara

– KPCC Observer, Chitradurga District, Digital Membership Driven & KPCC Programs, 2021-22 

– KPCC Observer, RR Nagara By-Elections 2020, Laggere Ward – Booths 160, 161, 162, 163

– KPCC In-charge for #PratijnaDina 2020, Chikkaballapura Block

– Member, KPCC COVID19 Task Force, 2020

– Member, All India Congress Committee (AICC), since 2018

– Spokesperson, KPCC (417+ debates mostly regional media in 48 months, June 2017- Aug 2023)

– Member, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Campaign Committee (Elections 2018)

– State Secretary, Karnataka Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee (till Oct 2018)

– AICC Zonal Coordinator (Telangana) Jan-Vedna Campaign, 2016

– Social Media contributor for Indian National Congress (till 2016)

– My story was featured in the A One Billion and One Voices video by Indian National Congress

– Featured in the re-launch video of National Herald

– Gen. Secretary Bommanahalli Block, Bengaluru Urban District Mahila Congress, 2014