Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, April 23: Young political leader Pratibha Kulai, who has transformed the lives of over 500 women and children through the Kulai Foundation, has been selected for the prestigious Vishwavani Global Achievers Award for her exemplary work in social service.
The award will be presented in Moscow, Russia, on April 24. Recognised in the social service category, Pratibha Kulai is being honoured for her dedicated efforts toward women’s empowerment and self-reliance.
She has facilitated financial support for women's self-employment opportunities, provided legal aid to victims of domestic violence, and extended educational assistance to children. To date, she has supported thousands of women and students through various initiatives.
In collaboration with the Mangaluru City Corporation, she has also formulated a permanent rehabilitation plan for trans women in the areas of Surathkal, Kankanady, and Baala.
A multi-talented achiever
Academically, Pratibha holds an MSW (Master of Social Work) from Mangalore University, an M.Phil in Social Work from Salem University, Tamil Nadu, and an MA in English from Mysore University.
She has served as a college lecturer and continues to work as a counselling expert in educational institutions. She is also active as a career guidance mentor across various organisations.
As a Congress corporator in the Mangaluru City Corporation, she held the position of chairperson of the Education and Standing Committee, where she led developmental initiatives, setting records for high fund utilisation.
Background rooted in service
Pratibha Kulai hails from the prestigious Gurkhar family. Her grandfather, Shinappa Master, was a respected teacher and founding president of the Brahmashree Narayana Guru Seva Sangha. Her father, Prabhakar Kulai, followed in the same path of service. As his granddaughter, Pratibha has carried forward the legacy by standing at the forefront of initiatives benefitting the marginalised and underprivileged.
Beyond politics: Service and Sustainability
During the COVID-19 lockdown, she personally cooked meals daily for over 400 individuals, distributing food packs to the homeless day and night.
Alongside her work in social service, she has taken up fisheries, agriculture, and horticulture, establishing impressive plantations of fruits, vegetables, and areca nuts in Karkala and Kundapur, earning admiration from agricultural experts.
She also established an ornamental fish breeding centre, and was honoured with a National Agricultural Woman Award at the 2011 Krishi Mela in Bengaluru for her contributions.
With her academic foundation in social work and hands-on experience, she continues to mentor MSW students and is recognised as a beacon of empowerment and selfless service.