In Conversation With: Kunal Premnarayen of Anushkaa Foundation

GIVE.DO is in conversation with Kunal Premnarayen of Anushkaa Foundation – who has a remarkable story to tell! He cofounded Anushkaa Foundation which has helped more than 18,000 children born with clubfoot get the treatment needed to cure their disabilities and live a normal life. Clubfoot is a birth defect that some babies are born with that causes the feet to grow inverted. If the child does not receive treatment, his or her feet will continue to be inverted and that child will be disabled for life. But using the Ponseti Method, Anushkaa Foundation is curing children in rural India who have no awareness about the curability of this birth defect and is helping children and families in its 160+ clubfoot clinics across rural India.

 

Here are 5 questions with Kunal Premnarayen of Anushkaa Foundation! 

 

You were born with clubfoot. Can you tell us what clubfoot is and how you received treatment as a child?

 

Kunal Premnarayen: Clubfoot is a birth defect where a child’s foot is twisted inward. If left untreated, it can lead to a lifelong disability.

 

I was fortunate to receive early intervention by Dr. Kandarp Tuljashanker Dholakia using the Ponseti method, a non-surgical treatment involving gentle manipulation, casting, and bracing. Because of this timely treatment, I was able to lead a fully active life, including playing competitive sports. However, millions of children worldwide are not as fortunate due to a lack of awareness or access to treatment and end up living a life of disability.  

Is clubfoot prevalent in India, and what happens to children whose families cannot access or afford treatment?

 

Kunal Premnarayen: Yes. Clubfoot is a common condition worldwide, with approximately one in 800 children born with it. In developed countries, it is typically treated shortly after birth. However, in India—home to the largest number of children born with clubfoot globally, accounting for 19% of cases—access to timely care remains a significant challenge. Many families, especially in rural or underserved areas, are unaware that clubfoot is treatable or lack the financial means to afford the necessary medical intervention.

 

Without treatment, children with clubfoot face severe mobility challenges, social stigma, and limited opportunities for education and employment. Many are unable to attend school or later find work, trapped in cycles of poverty and exclusion. This not only affects the individual but also impacts their families and communities.

 

Organizations like the Anushkaa Foundation are working to bridge this gap by ensuring that no child is left untreated due to financial constraints or geographical barriers. Through early identification, awareness programs, and partnerships with healthcare providers, we provide free treatment and long-term support to children with clubfoot, helping them lead active, fulfilling lives.

 

How did Anushkaa Foundation start, and what impact has the NGO had on children, their families, and entire communities?

 

Kunal Premnarayen: Being born with clubfoot, I was fortunate to receive treatment, but many children are not as lucky, and end being disabled and crippled. This realization led to the founding of the Anushkaa Foundation, with a mission to eliminate clubfoot as a cause of disability in India.

To ensure accessible treatment, we have partnered with healthcare institutions, government agencies like the National Health Mission and RBSK, and donors to establish clubfoot clinics and provide free treatment using the Ponseti method. Since our inception, we have enrolled over 18,000 children for treatment, with more than 1,000 having completed their treatment, across 162 districts in 11 states. We supply free medical supplies, including casting materials, foot abduction braces with bars, and shoes. Furthermore, we have built medical capacity by training over 300 doctors in the Ponseti method and developing 32 Master Trainers. Additionally, we have sensitized 1,76,000 ASHA workers to help with the early identification and enrollment of children for treatment.

 

In addition to medical care, we offer dedicated parent counseling to support families throughout the entire five-year treatment journey. Counseling is a vital component of this process, as it helps address the emotional and social challenges families face. In many cases, mothers experience profound stigma and societal judgment for giving birth to a child with clubfoot. Tragically, we have encountered instances where this stigma has led to extreme actions—one heartbreaking case involved a newborn girl who was buried alive simply because she was born with this condition. Thankfully, she received the treatment she needed and is now thriving. Our commitment extends beyond physical care to ensuring families are supported emotionally and socially, fostering a positive and hopeful environment for both children and their parents.

 

By restoring mobility, we are not only transforming the futures of these children but also empowering their families and communities. When children receive proper treatment, they can lead independent, fulfilling lives—breaking the cycle of stigma, exclusion, and limited opportunities. Our work extends beyond medical intervention; it is about fostering a society where every child, regardless of their condition at birth, is given the chance to thrive.

 

You went on to play competitive tennis. Does this give other families hope for their own children who have clubfoot?

 

Kunal Premnarayen: Absolutely. My journey—from being born with clubfoot to playing tennis at both national and international levels—stands as proof of the power of early treatment. Many parents fear that their child’s future will be limited by this condition, but with timely intervention, children with clubfoot can lead completely normal, active lives.

 

There are numerous inspiring stories of former clubfoot patients excelling in various fields, reinforcing the message that this condition does not define a child’s potential. Notable athletes such as Steven Gerrard, former captain of England and Liverpool; Mia Hamm, legendary captain of the U.S. women’s soccer team; and Kristi Yamaguchi, an Olympic gold medal-winning American figure skater, were all born with clubfoot. Their achievements, like mine, highlight that with the right treatment and support, children with clubfoot can pursue their dreams without limitations.

Is there a movie or celebrity that inspired you?

 

Kunal Premnarayen: As a child, I wore calipers to school, much like Forrest Gump in the iconic movie. I remember the teasing and the mental anguish of having to wear them all day. Thankfully, with advancements in technology and treatment, children with clubfoot today only need to wear braces at night, sparing them the daily struggles and social stigma that I once faced.

 

While Forrest Gump’s character didn’t have clubfoot—his condition required leg calipers—it was incredibly inspiring to see how he overcame his challenges and went on to achieve greatness. His resilience deeply resonated with me, reinforcing the idea that physical limitations don’t have to define one’s future.

 

Beyond fiction, I’ve also found inspiration in real-life athletes born with clubfoot, such as Steven Gerrard, the former England and Liverpool captain, and Mia Hamm, a U.S. soccer legend. Their success stories are powerful reminders that with the right treatment and determination, children with clubfoot can go on to achieve excellence in any field they choose.

 

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