My journey to finally meet Vasudeva Sharma

I first heard about Vasudeva Sharma ji while pursuing my MSW. My professor Dr. Vasanthi Vijay, often spoke highly of him as one of the senior professionals at CRY—someone who had made a name after completing MSW in Community Development. At that time, most success stories were about HR & IR students becoming directors in big corporations, so hearing about him was truly inspiring.

Repeatedly hearing his name, I began to form an imaginary picture of Vasudeva Sharma in my mind. Those days we didn’t have google and LinkedIn to search for photos. I felt I should meet him at least once. After completing my MSW second-year exams, I decided to approach him at CRY and request an internship opportunity.

It was around April or May 2001. Those days, mobile phones were not common, and calling ahead wasn’t the norm. So, I went straight to the CRY office. Unfortunately, I was told he had resigned—just the day before was his last day at CRY!  I returned without meeting him, still holding on to that imaginary picture. Later, I did my internship with Mobility India.

Years passed, and I started working with Meljol. One day in 2002, I attended a children’s programme at Bishop Cotton School. A few NGOs were present, and we were given a group task. Suddenly, a fair- looking gentleman with excellent Kannada skills started leading the activity. During introductions, he said, “I am Vasudeva Sharma. I represent the Child Rights Trust and I have earlier worked with CRY.”

To my surprise, the person I had imagined for years was standing right in front of me! That was the Vasudeva Sharma I had wanted to meet for so long.

My continued journey with Vasudeva Sharma

Later, in 2003, while working with the Public Affairs Center, I attended an event hosted by Child Rights Trust to develop a State-level report on Child Rights and progress toward the UN Convention. This was my second opportunity to meet Vasudeva Sharma ji and also Dr. Padmini, another remarkable personality who dedicated her life to children’s issues.

During this consultation, I shared my experiences on the “Know Your Candidate” campaign before voting—an initiative by the Public Affairs Center. Later, I presented this to the larger group. Within weeks, Vasudeva Sharma and his team visited the Public Affairs Center with an idea to prepare a Charter of Demands for political parties. After that, we didn’t connect much for a while.

In 2005, I met him again at the EveryChild office, where I had moved as Programme Officer. From here, the real journey began—working closely with Vasudeva Sharma ji and getting to know him personally. We initiated the Child Tracking System, which led to many professional and personal conversations and deepened my respect for his vision.

Educo Phase – A Privilege

The next phase at Educo gave me another great opportunity to work with CRT and especially with you, Vasu ji. Your support and openness to new ideas have always inspired me. Our collaboration allowed me to know you better—not just professionally, but personally. I cherish those long, open conversations we’ve had; they were truly special.

You are not only a great professional but also someone who guides like an elder brother and a good friend, irrespective of age differences. Over time, I discovered a new facet of you—your poetic side! I always knew you wrote for newspapers and publications on child rights, but your instant poems, crafted for the moment, are simply amazing. Listening to your verses in every meeting is a joy.

What Makes You Special

Sir, you are a man of immense knowledge in child rights and various development issues in the social sector, yet you remain humble, respectful, and always willing to listen—even to those just starting their careers. You are truly a jewel of the sector. Had you been based in Delhi; you would have been a national personality.

I often tell you that if you had chosen to work globally after CRY, you would have been a millionaire—especially in the INGOs era of the 1990s to 2010. But you chose to stay in Karnataka, close to your heart’s calling: working with children. You became a mentor, advisor, and friend to countless NGOs.

To me, Vasudeva Sharma ji is like Dhoni for NGOs in Karnataka—everyone loves you and wants to be around you.

If I have to define you in simple words:

Honest. Straightforward. Humble. Transparent. Committed.

You truly live  child rights, breathe child rights, and walk child rights.

Wishing you a wonderful 60th birthday filled with joy, health, and continued inspiration for all of us who have had the privilege to work with you. Lots of love to you sir and a Salute!