Apr 30, 20223 min read

About Madhu Allu

Madhu Allu is the Co-Program Director of the Gita Vicara Leadership Program for the past 9 years, under the auspices of Young Indian Culture Group, Long Island. Her unstinting commitment to a life of Seva is a hidden gem, occasionally revealed through fierce laughter during an all out team competition with our youth, on the playing fields of our game tables and floor space!

She has been a pillar of Games for Seva with her many talents in artistic creativity, digital media, connecting with youth, building community support for our endeavors, organizing events and retreats at AVG, and holding minutiae details in concert. Her enthusiastic commitment to youth development with the Beehive Blitz and natural ability to find the structures necessary to make a game happen has built the program from a fledgling program into a powerhouse in the community.

Her extraordinary ability to handle logistics enabled the very successful first 'Travel with a Purpose' trip to Amsterdam in 2022. It gave our entire team confidence to dream about meaningful trips that define our purpose, generate ideas for themes, products, events and games, while engaging in high quality team bonding.

She created a priceless itinerary to Costa Rica in 2023 as our deep commitment to engaging with ecological principles in the work we do. It was a revelation to see her photo log and her passion for seeing divinity in nature. We have so much to learn from her.

Madhu was the leading force behind the flagship Eco-Dharma game 'Ganga~River Rescue' being launched on Kickstarter in 2021, bringing a 5 year journey of design to a thrilling culmination. Her delightful identification of the Living Units of India to be included in the game cards was a joy to behold.

The Gita Vicara Leadership Program holds in its vision a complete commitment to developing the leaders of tomorrow by leading today. Inner Transformation workshops interwoven with continued Seva activities provides a view & way of life. The youth involved in game design and development are imbued with the spirit of Seva as they see a higher purpose in what they are doing. This spirit is priceless, enabling them to see the value of leading a life of contribution to society.

Hello there folks!

This is Madhu Allu, and here’s my saga with YICG. It was early 2008 when a chance encounter with Shanti and Ravi at South Grove elementary school parking lot led to the introduction of YICG. 16 years later YICG is the most used acronym in my life.

My humble beginnings at YICG as a volunteer started with an occasional act of Substitute teacher for Raji’s, Chitra’s, and Pavana’s classes, but frankly I was there for the Badminton showdowns and Banyan Corner’s delectables. My kids? They had their priorities straight: Basketball and those legendary brownies. The stories my boys recanted on the car rides back from Yicg and Public Speaking classes are still a prized possession and I have much gratitude to their teachers Jyothi, Jayanthi, Raji, Vasundhara, and Rathi for their priceless contribution to their lives.

YICG soon became an integral part for our family giving us the spirit of a larger community. A feeling and emotion that I grew up witnessing my parents being active in Narayana Seva, Bhajans, and Balvikas etc. My sporadic involvement soon extended to behind the scenes help for Vedic day, Bhasha day, and Kalanjali festivals. Quickly adorning many colorful hats, I took up roles in some fun activities like The Bhisma trial, Wellness Warriors, AVG summer camps and the infamous Improv acts at the YICG Galas to name a few.

Fast forward a few years later GVLP happened when I walked with my boys and a box of Donuts to Rathi’s house for a pilot program she had envisioned. Little did I know that I would become a major contributor to the GVLP program where I get my dopamine dose activating the Creative and Logical faculties of young minds. Besides GVLP, my role further expanded to Admin work and fundraising efforts as well. Running an organization for 30 years without the support of patrons is next to impossible. To all the benevolent people of this community who selflessly support YICG 🙏 you are the bedrock of our community.

Interacting and bonding with so many kids and adults as part of YICG classes has been the most rewarding experience for me. So here’s to old friends, new acquaintances, and the YICG spirit that binds us all.

Cheers to another great year ahead !