Interview with Devi Krishna - Hidden Voices NGO Founder

 

Devi Krishna - Founder of Hidden Voices

 Devi Krishna is the Founder of Hidden Voices, a registered non-profit organization dedicated to empowering people with visual impairment and other differently abled. Hidden Voices creates accessible learning resources by converting fiction books, non-fiction books, magazines, and academic textbooks into high-quality audio. The organization also undertakes PDF preparation and accessibility support to ensure content is usable for visually impaired readers. A major focus is making academic books available in regional languages, helping visually impaired students access educational materials that are often unavailable in accessible formats.

Hidden Voices is headquartered in Kochi, Kerala, and has grown into a global volunteer movement with contributors from across India as well as countries including the UAE, the United States, Mexico, and several others. Its founder, Devi Krishna, is a psychotherapeutic counsellor, educator, TEDx speaker, author, and HR professional with over two decades of experience in mental health, education, and disability inclusion. Based in Kochi, she is dedicated to building an inclusive community.

1. Hi Devi Krishna. What motivated you to start Hidden Voices? How and why did you start?

Hidden Voices began in 2019 because of one person who believed in me before I believed in myself. A close friend, Mr. Sudheesh, a visually impaired Higher Secondary Social Science teacher from Malappuram, kept encouraging me to start something of my own. His constant faith in me became the foundation of Hidden Voices.

Through our conversations, I learned that while technology like screen readers, TalkBack, AI tools, and assistive apps have made life easier, academic books—especially complex subjects and regional language materials—remain one of the biggest barriers for visually impaired students.

I started by reading academic books for him and soon realized the enormous effort involved. I often joke that if those readings counted toward my education, I would have earned a gold medal in every subject!

That experience made me realize this wasn't one person's challenge—it was the reality of thousands of visually impaired learners.

2. Did starting out during the COVID-19 period help you find more volunteers? What were the advantages and disadvantages of starting during that time?

Starting Hidden Voices during the COVID-19 pandemic was both challenging and deeply rewarding. Registering the Trust, bringing together committed trustees, and navigating legal procedures without much guidance required patience, perseverance, and determination.

At the same time, the pandemic brought an unexpected opportunity. Many people were looking for meaningful ways to contribute during the lockdown, and volunteers from across the world came forward to read books, review recordings, teach online, and support visually impaired learners.

One of our biggest challenges was building trust and maintaining quality in a completely virtual environment. While many volunteers joined with genuine compassion and a desire to make a difference, others had different expectations.

Devi creates awareness about inclusion at Jain University, Kochi

3. Tell us more about your volunteers and how you onboard and work with them.

Our volunteers are the heart of Hidden Voices. Many discover us through word of mouth. Every volunteer sends a voice sample of their reading. Once found suitable, the volunteer goes through an onboarding process where they are introduced to our reading guidelines, pronunciation, pacing, and the importance of making content truly accessible for visually impaired individuals. They are also introduced to voice recording, audio merging, and audio enhancer apps to do their work.

Hidden Voices Volunteers in Chennai with Devi

We have volunteers who are readers and/or checkers. Quality is at the core of everything we do. Every audiobook is carefully reviewed before it reaches a beneficiary. If a recording has background noise, pronunciation issues, or missing content, we work closely with the volunteer to refine it. This collaborative process ensures that every learner receives the best possible listening experience.

Like every volunteer-driven organization, retaining volunteers over the long term can be challenging, as people often have changing personal, academic, or professional commitments. We are grateful for every contribution, whether it is for a short period or over many years. Volunteering also helps readers improve their communication skills, confidence, and empathy, making it a meaningful journey for everyone involved.

Hidden Voices Vounteers in Mumbai with Devi

4. Tell us more about how Hidden Voices transitioned into an NGO.

Hidden Voices started as a movement in 2019 and was officially registered as a Trust on 11 November 2020. The journey wasn't easy—legal procedures, documentation errors, and limited guidance made the process challenging. Most of it had to be navigated through perseverance and self-learning.

In 2022, Hidden Voices was registered on the Government of India's DARPAN portal, strengthening our credibility and opening doors for future collaborations. Since then, our focus has been on maintaining transparency, building strong systems, and expanding our impact.

For me, an NGO is not built by paperwork alone—it is built by purpose, integrity, and the collective efforts of volunteers who believe in creating a more inclusive world.

5. In how many languages do you read audiobooks now? What are the challenges in expanding to more languages?

Hidden Voices currently creates audiobooks in English, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Sanskrit, and French (a starter), while also supporting several other languages on request through our volunteer network. Our goal is to ensure that language is never a barrier to education.

The biggest challenge in expanding is finding committed native speakers who can read with accurate pronunciation, fluency, and consistency.

6. Is there something about Hidden Voices that you haven't shared publicly before?

Yes. While most people know Hidden Voices for creating accessible audiobooks, very few know about the emotional and psychological support we provide. As a psychotherapeutic counsellor, I have supported many persons with disabilities who have faced abuse, trauma, loneliness, and the emotional challenges of losing their vision.

One story that deeply moved me was of a visually impaired man from Rajasthan whose identity documents were duplicated and misused without his knowledge. He was wrongly suspected in a criminal case before the truth finally came to light. Watching him struggle to prove both his identity and his innocence was heartbreaking.

These experiences have taught me that disability is often not the biggest barrier—loneliness and exclusion are. Beyond books, our mission is to empower people with confidence, dignity, and independence, helping them rediscover their voice and their place in society.

7. What are the other types of projects you work on for the visually impaired, and how do you reach out to the needy?

Hidden Voices works beyond creating accessible audiobooks. We provide counselling, mentoring, and encourage independent living through everyday experiences like travelling, shopping, cooking, and social participation.

Hidden Voices Listener Manikandan as an RJ in Red FM program 

We reach beneficiaries through referrals from volunteers, schools, colleges, hospitals, rehabilitation centres, community organisations, social media, and word of mouth. We recently had internships with Symbiosis College, SRM, Ramjas, KCI High, Cresent School Dubai, GEMS Kochi, The Choice School, St. Peters and GEMS Our Own English High School, Sharjah – Boys for creating audio. We also had Internships from few other MNC’s.

A visit to Lulu Mall for the visually impaired - https://www.instagram.com/p/DW8trVJiE-w/

8. What is your advice for women entrepreneurs who want to start an NGO?

Believe in your purpose and don't wait for the perfect time to begin. Starting an NGO requires courage, resilience, patience, and integrity. There will be challenges, but every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow.

Lead with empathy, transparency, and accountability. Remember, people don't need sympathy—they need respect, inclusion, and equal opportunities. Success is not measured by awards but by the positive impact you create in the lives of others.

Devi with Mitra Jyothi NGO Founder, Madhu Singhal

9. What are your future plans for Hidden Voices?

Our vision is to grow Hidden Voices into a comprehensive rehabilitation and empowerment centre, offering accessible education, life skills, emotional wellness, career guidance, assistive technology, independent living, and employment support. We also aim to expand our volunteer network, strengthen regional language teams, and build a more inclusive society where accessibility is a right, not a privilege.

We envision a society where disability is never a barrier to success. My biggest learning is that the greatest disability is not the loss of sight—it is the lack of opportunity. When people are given the right support and accessibility, they can thrive. People with disabilities are just as capable as anyone else—they may do things differently, but they can achieve the same goals when given equal opportunities. 

Marathon in Kochi with Visually Impaired and Wheelchair Bound

Did You Know? Devi Krishna has authored a book named ‘Slice of Life’ (available in Amazon) after her elder brother’s demise.  

 

You can reach Hidden Voices here:

Whatsapp Number to apply for Volunteering - +91 8714204851

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiddenvoicescharitabletrust/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hiddenvoicescharitabletrust

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenvoices6132

Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/hidden-voices-13b313258/

Website : www.hiddenvoicesindia.org

Email: Support@hiddenvoicesindia.org   

A Visit to Bannerghatta Nature Camp - Jungle Lodges and Resorts in Bangalore

 

Around seven of us college friends gathered at Bannerghata Jungle Lodges and Resorts in Bangalore for a relaxed weekend getaway. The team at the nature camp gave us a warm welcome and checked our ID cards. We were all fascinated by the beautiful jackfruit tree with many baby jackfruits near the entrance.

We lived in cloth tents with a tin roof at the top. Each tent had 3 beds and a bathroom. These tents were called Swiss Tents (in video below). There were also other types of accommodations, including log huts, wooden cottages, and executive tents. The tents were named after birds such as Paradise flycatcher and Tailor bird. Monkeys were playing near the tents. The area was surrounded by large tall trees of rare and common varieties. 

We went to the jungle safari in the evening around 3 pm. We could see white tigers, dancing sloth bears (in video below), majestic lions, baby and big elephants, walking leopards, crocodiles, spotted deer, Nilgai, sambar deer, large bison, and peacocks. We first saw the herbivorous animals and then the carnivorous animals. Friends somehow managed to capture beautiful shots of the animals through the van grill.

After the safari, they served snacks and tea in an open area. Late evening, we went to a play area and played snake and ladder game, antakshari, and dumbcharades. Chess and carrom boards were also there. At 7 pm, they invited us to a wildlife film show with bonfire (in video below) in open air. They served corn soup, groundnut salad, and pepper chicken for eating while watching the movie. After dinner, we relaxed at night by singing songs under the trees. 

Early the next morning at around 7:15 AM we set off to a nature walk among the trees. Our nature walk guide was naturalist Buttanayak. He described about the trees as we walked. There were trees with tumour-like bulbs on them. Two trees and their leaves were co-existing on a single trunk. We were lucky to witness the flowering of the bamboo tree that happens once in 30 or 50 years (in video below). Buttanayak also gave us the binoculars to have a close-up view of the birds and animals. There were big lakes with crocodiles. The walk went on for 1.5 hours with a lot of interesting information about the flora and fauna.

The resort had a beautiful, spacious, and neat buffet space named Gol Ghar. All the food like poha, basa fish curry, fried corns, kesari, juices, and badam milk were tasty and the spread was delicious for breakfast, lunch, as well as dinner. The wooden tables were convenient to dine.

The Jungle Resort is surely a peaceful haven that allows you to relax and unwind amidst nature. An option is there to visit the Butterfly Park and Bannerghatta Zoo also. 

Click here to visit the jungle resort website. 

CITAACC Music Club Program at Rehoboth Home for the Mentally Challenged

 

The Coimbatore Institute of Technology Alumni Association, Chennai Chapter (CITAACC) Music Club organised a 2-hour musical program at the Rehoboth Home for the Mentally Challenged on 15^th November, 2025. Around 80 inmates attended the program, danced with joy, and enjoyed the songs. This program was initiated by CITAACC Zone 3 அழகிய Ambattur, as their 4th Social Service Project. 

The CIT music team included Margabandhu, Guru, T.N. Krishnamoorthy, Hari, Velmurugan, and Dillibabu. The female singers were Malathi and Anitha, both from the nineties Anna University music troupe. Vaithilingam of Vaanampaadi provided excellent audio support and also sang. Malathi’s brother Harikrishnan, beautifully whistled the song Raja Raja Chozhan Naan. Sathya Prabhu helped with social media and prepared posters. 

Before the program, Margabandhu crowdfunded on Whatsapp and collected close to 1.2 lakhs from around 50 donors. This amount was used to donate cots, wheelchairs, plastic armchairs, washing soaps, clothes, and many other things requested by the Rehoboth Home.

The songs included peppy numbers like Ranjithame Ranjithame, Nee Pottu Vacha Thangakudam, and Maana Madurai Kundu Maliya. There were also some yesteryears hit songs like Bambarakannaale, Maama Maama Maama, and Thuluvatho ilamai. The inmates requested 2 songs on the spot – Enna Nenache, and Aaatama Therottama – which the singers delivered. The singers also danced enthusiastically and shared their joy. 

The Rehoboth Home for the Mentally Challenged is an NGO founded in 1998 by psychiatric social worker Zoraida Samuel. When Zoraida was a college student, she saw police and people beating a mentally challenged woman who had stolen a fruit from a cart. This incident affected her deeply, and she wanted to help such women in distress. Today, the Rehoboth rescue shelter at Paraniputhur, Iyyapathanagal, Chennai has 195 mentally challenged women. At the Rehabilitation Centre in Somangalam, 85 women are engaged in agriculture, animal husbandry, poultry, piggery, ornamental bird rearing, ornamental fish rearing, areca plate production, and embroidery. They also have 2 special schools for children, a thrift store, and an old-age hospice. Around 153 women have rejoined their families after being taken care of at Rehoboth. 

It was a privilege and blessing to perform at Rehoboth Home, and it gave mutual happiness to both the singers and inmates.

Anyone interested in supporting Rehoboth Home, contact

Binu Jeremiah

Rehoboth Home

Mobile No: 9884189115

Island Hopping in Andaman - Port Blair, Havelock Island, Neil Island

 

The first thing that strikes you about Andaman is their tri-colour beaches. The sea starts with a whitish tint because of the white sand, then has a light-greenish turquoise blue colour, and then a dark blue colour.

Tri-Colour Beaches in Andaman

It was 3 nights, 4 days trip and we first landed in Port Blair (South Andaman). We first visited the Cellular Jail. We got a glimpse of the tiny cells in which people were kept. There was a demo area which had the different machines on which the inmates had worked.

Photo Display in Cellular Jail

Video (3.5 mins) of Brain Corals, Cellular Jail, Jet Ski, Beach, Fish, Moving Shells, Nature, and Sunrise from Flight in Andaman. 

Next, we island hopped in the air-conditioned Nautika ferry and went to Havelock Islands. We visited the RadhaNagar Beach in Havelock islands. This beach is known as the Beach No 7 or the Seventh Best Beach in Asia. It was picturesque, and we clicked few photos by ourselves and hired a photographer for the remaining pics. All the beaches in Andaman have photographers whom you can hire.

RadhaNagar Beach - Havelock Islands

Then we visited the Elephanta beach in Havelock Island that had lot of adventure sports like snorkelling, glass-bottom boat ride, jet ski, and floats in different shapes like octopus and dragons. The glass-bottom ride gave a beautiful view of the corals in the sea that had grown and branched out like undersea trees. The corals were in shades of cream and light brown and were not multi-coloured. You get a glimpse of beautiful coloured fish too.

Corals view from Glass-Bottom Boat

Then we island hopped to Neil Island. In the Neil Island, Laxmanpur Beach No 2, we saw the Natural Bridge or the Howrah Bridge formed by corals. This bridge area is surrounded by ankle-depth water filled with different types of corals like brain coral and jackfruit coral. We saw a very small pink coral among the other corals. That was the only coloured coral in this area. This beach also has starfish, shrimps, nemo, and sea pineapple. We hired a guide who showed us all the corals and fish. Jelly fish were found in all the water areas in Andaman. The guide said that few of the corals glow in the night.

Natural Bridge or Howrah Bridge in Neil Island

Sea Pineapple

From the resort, we could see the beautiful sunset at Laxmanpur Beach 1. We wore Andaman T-shirts and kept artificial flowers on our head and clicked few pics in the Beach 1.

Laxmanpur Beach 1

Sunset at Neil Island

We again island hopped and went to Port Blair. We visited the Cellular Jail twice. The second visit was by night on the third day to view the sound and light show about the jail inmates suffering and life. The show was projected on the real walls of the jail and it was awesome, touching, and moving all at once. The lights and sound moved from one cell to another as they traced footsteps of people walking. The screen in the center and a tree were also used to focus the images. No photos and videos of the show were allowed.

A Cell in the Jail

We could not find 1-litre water bottles in Andaman. Most of the bottles were 2-litres and difficult to carry around. We did not come across any specific signature dish of Andaman. But we tasted lobster. Of course, there were giant-size tender coconuts and we had one every day during the trip. For shopping, there were different accessories, decorative items, and bags made of shells and pearls. There were magnets shaped like the cellular jail, tortoises, and shells.

Lobster 

Magnets

Shell Accessories

The trip was really therapeutic with a view and walk among the scenic and clean beaches and breathtaking corals.

Nautika Ferry

Dutch Painter Van Gogh Immersive Experience at EA, Chennai

Visited the Van Gogh Immersive experience at Express Avenue, Chennai. Vincent Van Gogh was a Dutch painter popular for his colorful paintings. The immersive experience happened in a very big hall. The paintings of Van Gogh with animations were focused on all the four walls and also the floor. It was a beautiful experience. The experience was shown in a slot of 30 minutes.

They also had a café themed with Van Gogh’s paintings. The cakes, pastries, plates, and walls had Van Gogh designs on them. There was also an area selling gifts like T-shirts, flasks, diary, magnets, and other souvenirs with Van Gogh’s painting designs on them. Near the entrance there was a room with his paintings that had details of his life story.

Apart from the famous Starry Night, Van Gogh also painted a lot of self-portraits. A painting of his postman friend Joseph Roulin in his uniform also tells his life experiences. Here are videos and photos from the show. 

Here are the 5 videos taken at the immersive experience including Starry Nights.

 

Cafe

Diary