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Sunitha Krishnan: The Bangalore Girl Who Took On India's Traffickers

Born in Bangalore, schooled in its colleges, and the co-founder of one of the world's largest anti-trafficking shelters.

QUICK ANSWER

  • Sunitha Krishnan is an anti-trafficking activist, born in Bangalore in 1972, who co-founded Prajwala in 1996.
  • She studied environmental science at St Joseph's College, Bangalore, and later social work at Roshni Nilaya, Mangalore.
  • Prajwala, based in Hyderabad, rescues and rehabilitates survivors of sex trafficking; she received the Padma Shri in 2016.
Tariq Sallam, founder of The City 24/7 Tariq Sallam October 28, 2026 • 3 min read
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An old iron gate swung open with a broken padlock on the ground, leading into a sunlit courtyard with a sewing machine, bright fabrics, books and birds flying overhead

Sunitha Krishnan was born in Bangalore in 1972.

“Not as philanthropy, not as charity, but as human beings who deserve all our support.”

• Sunitha Krishnan, on the survivors Prajwala works with

Sunitha Krishnan is an Indian anti-trafficking activist and the co-founder and chief functionary of Prajwala, which rescues, rehabilitates and reintegrates survivors of sex trafficking. She was born in Bangalore in 1972 to Palakkad Malayali parents, studied environmental science at St Joseph's College, Bangalore, and received the Padma Shri in 2016.

Her work is based in Hyderabad, and I will not pretend otherwise. But she was born here, studied here, and started teaching and volunteering as a child. This profile keeps to the documented record.

Quick Information

She started teaching dance to children with disabilities at eight and was running slum schools at twelve. Most of us were still negotiating bedtimes.

Born
22 May 1972, Bangalore
Parents
Raju and Nalini Krishnan
Degree
BSc Environmental Science, St Joseph's College, Bangalore
Postgraduate
Medical and Psychiatric Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, Mangalore (1995)
Founded
Prajwala, 1996, with Brother Jose Vetticatil
Based in
Hyderabad
Honour
Padma Shri, 2016
Also
Film producer on anti-trafficking films

Who Is Sunitha Krishnan?

Sunitha Krishnan is a human rights activist known nationally and internationally for her work against sex trafficking. Her father worked with the Department of Survey, so she saw much of India as a child, moving from place to place with him.

Did Sunitha Krishnan Study in Bangalore?

Yes. She took her bachelor's degree in environmental science at St Joseph's College of Arts and Science, Bangalore, before a master's in medical and psychiatric social work at Roshni Nilaya, Mangalore, in 1995.

How Did Sunitha Krishnan Start Social Work?

She started at eight, teaching dance to children with intellectual disabilities, and by twelve she was running schools for children in slums.

What Is Prajwala?

Prajwala is the anti-trafficking organisation she co-founded with Brother Jose Vetticatil in 1996, beginning with a transition school in a vacated brothel so that the next generation would not be trafficked. It works on prevention, rescue, rehabilitation, reintegration and advocacy.

  • Prevention Education for children of women in prostitution
  • Rescue Working with police on raids
  • Rehabilitation Shelter and livelihood training
  • Reintegration Return to families and communities
  • Advocacy Policy and public awareness

What Films Has She Worked On?

She has worked with her husband, the filmmaker Rajesh Touchriver, on films made with Prajwala. One of them, Anamika, is part of the curriculum at the National Police Academy.

A LESSER-KNOWN FACT

In Prajwala's early years she sold her jewellery and household items to keep the work going.

Why Does Sunitha Krishnan Belong in People of Bangalore?

THEIR BANGALORE CONNECTION

She was born in Bangalore and earned her first degree at St Joseph's College in the city.

HOW I PUT THIS TOGETHER

I haven't interviewed Sunitha Krishnan for this piece. It's pieced together from online research: published interviews, news reports, books and official records, cross-checked against each other. If you know Sunitha Krishnan and spot something I've got wrong, tap the WhatsApp icon at the bottom right and tell me, and I'll fix it.

FAQs

Who is Sunitha Krishnan?

An Indian anti-trafficking activist and co-founder of Prajwala.

Where was Sunitha Krishnan born?

In Bangalore, in 1972.

Where did Sunitha Krishnan study?

St Joseph's College, Bangalore, and Roshni Nilaya, Mangalore.

When was Prajwala founded?

In 1996.

When did Sunitha Krishnan receive the Padma Shri?

In 2016.

Were You at St Joseph's in the Early 1990s?

If you remember her from college, tell me what she was like before Prajwala. Click the WhatsApp icon at the bottom right of your screen and tell me. That is also the easiest way to reach The City 24/7 about anything at all, including nominating someone for People of Bangalore.

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Same city, new stories, always.

Tariq Sallam, founder of The City 24/7

Tariq Sallam

FOUNDER, THE CITY 24/7

placeBangalore calendar_monthSince 1991 groupsPeople. Places. Possibilities.

Tariq Sallam is the founder of The City 24/7, a platform dedicated to celebrating everything Bangalore. Having lived in the city since 1991, he has witnessed its remarkable journey from a laid-back Garden City to one of India’s most dynamic and innovative cities.

Passionate about its people, businesses, neighbourhoods, food, culture and hidden gems, Tariq believes every corner of Bangalore has a story worth telling. When he’s not writing or interviewing inspiring Bangaloreans, you’ll find him exploring the city. And through The City 24/7, he invites you to discover Bangalore with him, one story at a time.

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