Hyderabad: In a nod to his dynamic journey spanning academia, journalism, and the pursuit of holistic wellness though team building, Kalyan Srinivas Raygalla has achieved the pinnacle of recognition by being honoured with the REX Karmaveer Chakra Award (Silver) and REX Karmaveer Global Fellowship. Conferred by iCONGO in partnership with the United Nations on November 27, 2023, these prestigious accolades underscore Raygalla’s exceptional contributions to societal well-being.
Early Life and Education: Shaping a Visionary Leader
Born into a middle-class Telugu family in Hyderabad, Raygalla’s early life was infused with spiritual values, fostering a profound connection to his roots. Imbibing the ethos of ‘earning what you want’ from his family, he embarked on his educational journey at Siddhartha High School, where the teachings of Gautam Buddha left an indelible mark.
His passion for journalism led him to Loyola Academy Degree & PG College in Hyderabad, where exceptional academic performance earned him accolades such as Extra-ordinary Student Achiever and Best Outgoing Student. Furthering his education at Christ University, Bengaluru, Raygalla delved into Media and Communication, complementing his academic pursuits with a deep exploration of theatre.
Journalism to Academia: A Transformative Transition
Before making his mark in academia, Raygalla, also known as Ray, ventured into journalism as a special correspondent at CVR English News. Notable among his contributions was the advocacy for Tuberculosis awareness, earning him the prestigious Axaya Media Award from the All-India Catholic Health Association of India. Raygalla’s transition from journalism to academia marked the beginning of a transformative journey.
Collaborating with esteemed institutions such as DAV Public School, Delhi Public School, Aga Khan Academy, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, GD Goenka University, and Woxsen University, Raygalla introduced innovative experiential learning approaches, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.
TED Talks and Model United Nations: A Voice for Empowerment
Invited twice to share his inspirational journey at TED, Raygalla’s talks on facilitating learning through films and exploring masculinity garnered national and international acclaim. His involvement in Model United Nations (MUN) for over a decade, where he motivated and mentored over 3 lakh youths in India, showcased his commitment to youth empowerment. Acknowledgments from the former IPS Dr. R. S. Praveen Kumar, the then Secretary of Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TSWREIS) and retired IAS officer Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan underscored the impact of his contributions.
Contributions to UN4ALL Campaign and Literary Pursuits: A Global Impact
Raygalla’s engagement in the ”UN4ALL” campaign as Charge d’Affaires to the 2021 United Nations Secretary-General Candidate, Prof. Nabhit Kapur, amplified his global impact. Conducting interviews with distinguished individuals, including former President of Ecuador Rosalia Arteaga Serrano, Chief Election Commissioner of India Dr. S Y Quraishi, Amb. K. P. Fabian, IFS, permanent representative to the United Nations Organizations showcased his dedication to global issues.
His literary pursuits manifested in the debut book, “Story Between The Truth and Lie,” reflecting on truth, falsehood, and societal constructs. The book, conceived during the initial lockdown phase, explores profound questions about the nature of truth and reality.
Holistic Wellness for Societal Transformation
Beyond his accolades and achievements, Kalyan Srinivas Raygalla’s recent foray into holistic wellness is particularly noteworthy. Founder of Raygalla’s Mantra, an initiative turned not-for-profit, Raygalla addresses the need for soul-seeking and introspection in an increasingly mechanized world. The initiative aims to better acquaint individuals with themselves, making the world a better place, one smile at a time.
Raygalla offers recreational therapy, a unique approach to holistic wellness, which he describes as the practice of “polishing the being within” to see a brighter tomorrow. This initiative stands as a beacon of accessible wellness services for all, as it is free of cost.
In reflection of his multifaceted journey, Raygalla expressed, “My journey as a learned being started during my undergraduate days. I started to write and work as a journalist during my undergraduate days. I was very much passionate about journalism. But as time went by, I realized the purpose of my life is not just to write but to facilitate learning through experiential methods.”
In an increasingly digital age, where the art of conversation is lost behind the façade of virtual keypads and electronic voice-notes, and a generation statistically haunted the most by the growing monster of mental health aggravations, and individuals becoming increasingly inept at problem solving, there lies one basic worrisome cause- lack of communication. We choose to escape a confrontation than engage headlong in it, assuming it is you vs me, rather than us vs the problem. “I believe in conversations as a medicine. We live in a world where we do not get people to talk to. We are so technology driven that we forgot the value and importance of human significance and touch. Soul grooming is the need of the hour and that is exactly what we focus upon. In any project we take up, we look at the soul as a being and help people in drawing a new perspective towards life. So far, we have trained about 8000 teachers and countless students,” shares Kalyan Raygalla.
Raygalla is now a fulltime Team Building Facilitator at The Thought Bulb where he not only facilitates team building experiences for corporates but also ventures into CSR by keeping his passion for social change intact and strives to educate and empower youth across the country.
What people say about Raygalla!
The walk down memory lane also includes few figments of deeply heartfelt admiration, mutual respect, and profound good words. “Kalyan is Mr. Indefatigable. I have never come across any youngster who is so committed and balanced like Kalyan. He has not only empowered our teachers, but also a generation of youngsters in our institutions by introducing Model United Nations. He is a perfect role model for this generation” says Dr R. S. Praveen Kumar, retd IPS, Former Secretary, TSWREIS, Government of Telangana.
“An earnest individual who confronts challenges head-on, seeking to understand their origins and committing to their resolution with a strong sense of empathy. He exemplifies a determined pursuit of justice, a gentle determination, and a free-spirited demeanour. Uncommon in his approach, he stands as an empowered and empowering figure, showcasing a distinctive mix of qualities that define his individuality.,” says Mrs Ankita Bharti, Assistant Professor, DJMC, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies.
The recent recognition with the REX Karmaveer Chakra Award and Global Fellowship serves as a testament of Kalyan Srinivas Raygalla’s transformative journey. From spiritual roots in Hyderabad to global recognition for his contributions, Raygalla’s story is a testament to the power of dedication and holistic well-being in creating positive change. As we begin the new year, his achievements stand as an inspiration for others to explore diverse avenues for societal transformation and personal growth.
