Founder's Story

Some journeys begin with a single moment. Others begin with a lifelong bond. The story of Nakkubetta Foundation belongs to the latter.

Born and brought up in the mist-covered hills of the Nilgiris, Mr. Ramakrishnan NN grew up listening to the whispers of the mountains — stories carried by elders, rituals practiced with meaning, and a way of life deeply rooted in harmony with nature. For him, the Nilgiris was not just a place on the map; it was home, identity, and responsibility.

As years passed, this deep connection slowly turned into concern. Mr. Ramakrishnan began noticing alarming changes in his homeland — forests under stress, traditions fading, and younger generations growing distant from the wisdom their elders once lived by. The most painful realization came when the Baduga language, along with its rich culture, was declared an endangered language by UNESCO. What once flowed naturally through daily life was now at risk of being forgotten.

He understood a hard truth early on: if culture is left unattended, it does not disappear suddenly — it fades silently. Elders carried stories, rituals, songs, and knowledge, but there was no bridge strong enough to pass them on. The gap between generations was widening, and with it, the soul of the Nilgiris.

Mr. Ramakrishnan believed that preservation was not about holding on to the past, but about passing it forward. He envisioned an organization that would act as a bridge — connecting elders and youth, tradition and modernity, nature and development. An organization that would not only protect the environment and revive culture, but also care for the people who depend on both.

Guided by a belief he holds close to his heart — “The health of the hills is the wealth of the plains” — he saw the Nilgiris as the lifeline for many regions beyond it. If the hills suffered, the plains would too. True development, he believed, must be holistic — nurturing the environment, safeguarding culture, and ensuring the physical and social well-being of the people.

With this vision, Nakkubetta Foundation was born in 2014.

What began as a dream rooted in concern grew into a movement driven by purpose — to protect the fragile ecology of the Nilgiris, to revive endangered tribal cultures and languages, and to empower communities to carry their heritage with pride. The Foundation stands as a reminder that progress does not mean forgetting our roots, and development does not mean disconnecting from nature.

Nakkubetta Foundation is not just an organization. It is Mr. Ramakrishnan NN’s promise to his land — that the hills will be heard, the culture will be lived, and the legacy will be passed on.