Karthik Naralasetty: Founder of Youth4Cause

Karthik Naralasetty is a rarity among individuals of his age. This goal oriented and purpose driven former student of Rutgers University, New Jersey was called the “Obama of Rutgers” by his professor for the causes he led while attending the university. At the age of 19, he started an organization called ‘Youth4cause’ to bring about social awareness among youth around the world. Although he is no longer actively involved with the organization, his vision sustains itself at Rutgers University with seventy students as volunteers belonging to different cultures and faiths from all over the world.

The following is a brief interview with Karthik for a brand new section on CarveyourDestiny.com titled “Visionaries carving their destiny.” It is a section that introduces the audiences to visionaries among everyday people who may not be known to the world yet, but are surely on the track of becoming so!

Anubhav: Thank you for joining us Karthik. Please tell something about yourself.

Karthik: I hail from a middle class family in Andhra Pradesh . I always had the passion to become a trend setter in whatever I do. I always had the desire to do something outstanding and to think out of the box. I started my first organization while all the other students my age were busy with either partying or homework. My deep interest in issues relating to Poverty, economic development and civil society has seen me represent India at various international events.

My passion for social service started when I was very young. My father was my greatest inspiration, he directs a series of awareness programs in rural India. In 2007 I was invited by the Brisbane Government (Australia) to participate at the Asia Pacific Cities Summit. The conference was an eye opener for me as I met many young people from different parts of the globe.The exchange of ideas gave me a different perspective about life.

Anubhav: Please give a background about the initiation of Youth4Cause. Why did you decide to create this organization?

Karthik: It was my first day at the school; the university campus is filled with new and excited faces. Many of them are international students flocked up from all the parts of the world.

There were many student organizations on campus. I got a brochure from the campus information center; I was amazed to see that there was not even one organization that fights global issues and empower youth to take action. All I saw was organizations representing a particular country (Indian Student Organization, Pakistan Student Organization, Muslim Student Organization etc) culture or a religion.

That’s the moment I have determined to start a youth organization that really focuses on global issues and which can educate students on the issues. I felt there was an immediate need for the young people to act on global issues. After all we have the power, energy and passion to make a change.

Anubhav: Describe the process of starting Youth4Cause.

Karthik: It all started when I met my history professor and explained my idea of having an organization which focuses on global issues like Extreme Poverty, HIV/AIDS etc.

He then Introduced me to his undergraduate class and asked me to speak about my idea. I explained to the students about why I wanted to start this organization, and how it can bring lasting change in the lives of other people.

Soon the college newspaper (Observer) took an interview of mine about the idea of having a youth organization on campus and published it the next day. I was amazed by the response I got from the students. Soon I had around 30-45 students willing to join as volunteers for the organization. We soon applied for the official registration at the Campus Leadership Center and the SGA (Student Governing Authority).

Anubhav: What are some of the objectives that you have accomplished through Youth4Cause?

Karthik: We fund raise for an organization in India which supports poor stage drama artists.

Youth4cause fed 20 poor artists in the first month of founding. All the volunteers were very happy on our first event and were motivated to do much more contribution to poor and needy. We started fundraising around campus and nearby local business; we soon reached the target of raising $1000!

Then onwards we have conducted many awareness campaigns on campus and inspired many young people to join our organization to bring some positive change in the society.

Anubhav: What is the one philosophy of your success that you would like to share with us?

Karthik: I strongly believe that the so called ‘unrealistic’ goals can be achieved with a set of realistic steps. What you need is dedication and perseverance towards what you are doing.The best way to achieve your dreams is to visualize it.

I even used to visualize when I am about to address a meeting at the organization. This really helped me to be confident and bold at whatever I do, because I already knew what was going to happen.

Anubhav: After creating a revolution in the university through Youth4Cause, what is the next step for the Obama of Rutgers?

Karthik: I had a personal commitment to myself; I shall resign for the post of president after a year of founding. This is what I have said to myself before founding the organization. I am happy that I have fulfilled my promise. I am no more the president of Youth4cause.

I got back to India in September 2009. Having attended Rutgers University, New Jersey for a year, I decided to come back to India to pursue my dream of becoming an entrepreneur. The desire to serve my own nation brought me back to India where I have now formed a company called Redcode of which I am also the CEO and President. My key role is defining the company strategy and spearheading Global Operations, Sales and Marketing. I am also involved in the development of Competency & Solution Units.

I am passionate and excited about how technology can change the way we live and my dream is to build the next Google. It may sound unrealistic today but as I have said before, “unrealistic” objectives are attainable through realistic steps!

*Is your life an inspiring story too? If so, drop an email at anubhav101@gmail.com and if interesting enough, it maybe featured right here on the Carve your Destiny Website!