Some stories begin with dreams. Some with challenges. But the most powerful ones begin with purpose and grow into movements that change lives. This is the journey of Mrs. Soumya Janardhan, a mother, educator, a formal professional at Deccan aviation and visionary who transformed her personal challenge into a lasting mission for inclusive education.

The Beginning: Love Becomes Purpose

Becoming a mom was an amazing change for Mrs. Soumya Janardhan and was a life changing event. The birth of her son, Srujan, brought an extreme level of happiness and optimism. However, after receiving the diagnosis of hydrocephalus at birth, her journey began to have some unexpected turns. Mrs. Soumya Janardhan made the decision to be brave and leave the world of her aviation career and turn her attention solely on taking care of her son and helping him develop. His growth in strength and support and in confidence began with early intervention, therapies and Mrs. Janardhan’s continued belief in the ability of her son.

Yet when it was time for school, barriers emerged. Due to his learning difficulties, traditional educational institutions denied him admission or imposed strict limits on what he could learn. Soumya, determined that no child should be excluded from accessing an education, stepped beyond the boundaries of existing school structures and created a completely new and innovative way of educating children.

Building Savistara – A Gurukul: A School for Every Child

Savistara, A Gurukul was co-founded by Soumya and Janardhan in 2018, in Bangalore. It provides an inclusive learning environment for all children, regardless of their ability to learn (neuro‐typical and those with disabilities) and is accredited by the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). Savistara nurtures, supports and gives children a voice.

Savistara’s holistic model champions:

• Adaptive academics tailored to every child’s pace

• Life skills that foster independence

• Physical fitness and motor development

• Nutrition and sustainability through practical learning

• Mindfulness and spiritual grounding

This school is not just an institution, it is Soumya’s heart made visible. Students learn not just academics but confidence, resilience, and dignity.

Celebrating Women Through Indyvarna

At its core, Indyvarna is a brand that champions women—not just through fashion but through empowerment, confidence, and authenticity. 

Indyvarna

Indyvarna’s  mission of changing how women dress by creating clothes that reflect their individual style while remaining comfortable and confident. The use of Indian textile traditions with contemporary, modern day silhouettes means Indyvarna is a perfect example of combining traditions with modern convenience and utility.

The two co-founders of Indyvarna are both related through an image consulting business, which is run by Shilpa Belavadi and her husband Satish. Their philosophy for women's fashion is to create a new narrative, rather than simply making clothing that is designed to make women look good, clothing should empower and inspire authenticity.

Much like Mrs. Soumya Janardhan’s journey, Indyvarna’s mission centers on celebrating womanhood:

• Helping women embrace their identity

• They encourage women to show confidence in themselves through their clothes and their presence.

• They want to help women develop professionally and personally with clothing that presents confidence and respect while feeling comfortable.  

All of their clothing, including breathable cotton kurtas, structured blazers, and Indo-Western dresses, are manufactured to help improve a woman’s everyday life without sacrificing comfort or identity. 

Why This Matters?

Both Savistara and Indyvarna represent women-led change, one in education, the other in self-expression. Mrs. Soumya Janardhan’s journey reminds us that true inclusion begins with conviction. Indyvarna’s mission shows that empowerment begins with authenticity. Together, they reflect a broader narrative, ‘when women support women, movements happen’.

While Indyvarna honours the commitment of Mrs. Soumya Janardhan that inclusion belongs to everyone, they also celebrate all women who refuse to be limited in their growth. Like Mrs. Soumya Janardhan, these women believe that the greatest transformation is born out of love, courage and unwavering purpose.