Building a Kinder World: The Inspiring Journey of Aarthi Senthilkumar
When asked what keeps her motivated, Aarthi says, “It’s the little things. The joy when a child remembers you even after a long time – that stays with me. It makes me feel I’m truly making a difference.”
When passion meets purpose, it creates stories that inspire change. One such story is that of Aarthi Senthilkumar, a young structural engineer from Chennai, who chose to build not just strong structures but also stronger communities through her volunteering journey with Bhumi.
Aarthi’s journey with Bhumi began in 2022, though the desire to contribute had been in her heart since her student days. “Even during school, I was part of clubs that planted trees or raised awareness about saving water. It has always been a part of me,” she recalls. When she first discovered Bhumi, life took her to another city for her Master’s degree in Structural Engineering. But as soon as she returned, she made volunteering an integral part of her life.
Her Bhumi journey started with Eco-Champs, a program close to her passion for the environment. From there, she expanded her volunteering scope – taking the lead for Speak Out English project, coordinating volunteer orientations, organizing book and cloth donation drives, setting up vegetable gardens in schools, and even being part of food donation drives and beach clean-ups.
Aarthi’s creativity also found a space at Bhumi – she became the content creator for Bhumi Chennai’s events and social media page, designing videos and posts to spread the impact of volunteering. “Last year, I managed the entire content flow single-handedly,” she shares with a smile, proud of balancing both her professional career and her passion for service.
When asked what keeps her motivated, Aarthi says, “It’s the little things. The joy when a child remembers you even after a long time – that stays with me. It makes me feel I’m truly making a difference.”
Her inspiration comes not just from within but also from the people around her. “My mother has always been my biggest support. And at Bhumi, every volunteer inspires me – seeing so many people doing so much good pushes me to do more.”
Beyond volunteering, Aarthi is an artist at heart. She loves painting and singing, enjoys binge-watching series like “This Is Us”, and often spends time with friends. A vegetarian foodie, her comfort meal is a simple yet delightful paneer pulao. She’s also an avid traveler – her trip to Spiti Valley remains one of her most cherished experiences, where she was awestruck by the breathtaking landscapes.
Her philosophy is simple yet powerful: “There is always something good you can do. The satisfaction you get when you do something for others – that’s what keeps me happy and motivated.”
For Aarthi, Bhumi is more than an NGO. “It’s a community that has shaped me, taught me new skills, and made me a better person,” she reflects. From mentoring children to leading peers, every project has left her with memories, lessons, and a deeper sense of purpose.
When asked what change she hopes to see in the world, Aarthi’s answer is thoughtful and profound: “A better and kinder world for everyone – not just humans, but also for animals, plants, and the environment. A world where kindness is the default.”
Aarthi’s journey reminds us that small acts of kindness, when pursued consistently, create ripples of change. From nurturing children’s learning to protecting the environment, she continues to build not just strong foundations in engineering, but also a compassionate foundation for society.
Her story showcases what young changemakers can achieve when they bring heart and action together. #HumansOfBhumi #Volunteering