Raghu Duth Degala on building stories that matter

What began with a rejection in 2018 eventually became the foundation for TheGoodTalkFactory, an organisation built around a simple belief — “Everyone has a story and every story is worth experiencing.” Founder Raghu Duth Degala has taken that philosophy beyond storytelling, creating initiatives around education, life skills, inclusion, accessibility and community engagement.

Raghu recalls that the idea for TheGoodTalkFactory came from an experience that made him question the way society decides whose stories deserve to be heard. “In 2018, I was suggested as a speaker for an organisation that wanted to showcase inspiring stories. But I was told that I wasn't suitable because I wasn't active on social media and wasn't well known. That experience stayed with me,” Raghu says.

“I began wondering why a story should become important only when the person telling it is already recognised or famous. That thought became the starting point for TheGoodTalkFactory. I wanted to create a space where people could share their experiences without first having to prove that they were important enough to be heard,” he explains. For Raghu, storytelling is not simply about putting someone in front of an audience. It is about encouraging people to understand experiences that may be very different from their own. “We tend to notice celebrities, achievers, influencers or people with established platforms. But there are countless people around us whose journeys are equally powerful,” he shares.

“When I say every story is worth experiencing, I don't mean simply listening to someone's words. I mean trying to understand the journey behind those words — the challenges, choices, emotions and experiences that shaped that person. Sometimes, experiencing someone else's story can change the way we look at our own lives,” Raghu adds.

As the organisation evolved, its work expanded into education. Through Project TGTF Vidya, TheGoodTalkFactory supports students from underserved communities through educational sponsorship, mentorship and life-skills development. Raghu believes that while financial support can address an immediate need, it cannot always prepare a young person for the challenges ahead.

“Financial assistance is definitely important, but I don't think it is the complete answer. Many students from underserved backgrounds need guidance, exposure, mentorship, confidence-building opportunities and practical life skills,” he says. Raghu believes children should be prepared not only to succeed academically but also to navigate life independently. “Supporting a child's education can solve an immediate problem, but we also need to prepare that child for everything that comes after the classroom. Communication, confidence, life skills and personal development are equally important,” he explains.

Inclusion has also become an important part of his work. Raghu explains that TheGoodTalkFactory was not originally created as a disability-focused organisation. Its focus on inclusion developed as the team began interacting with different communities and identifying people who were still being left out.

“As our work expanded and we interacted with different communities, we naturally started asking ourselves who was still being left out of those conversations,” Raghu says. “Inclusion isn't simply about awareness or being sympathetic towards someone. It is about asking whether our spaces, systems and attitudes actually allow everyone to participate.”

His experiences have reinforced the importance of listening to communities instead of making assumptions about them. “The biggest lesson has been to never assume that I understand someone's life simply by looking at their circumstances,” he says. Working with children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities has taught him to look beyond limitations and focus on what people can contribute when the right environment is created. Raghu also believes young people have an important role in building a more inclusive society. “Young people don't need to wait until they have a position, designation or organisation to make a difference. They can challenge stereotypes, include people who are often left out, volunteer their time, learn about accessibility and use their skills to solve problems around them,” he says.

He adds that social change often begins with simple questions. “Sometimes inclusion begins with asking: why isn't this space or opportunity accessible to everyone? Small actions can create a larger cultural shift when enough people start thinking differently.”

Raghu's professional background in counselling, training, life-skills development and sports psychology has also influenced his approach. “Counselling taught me the importance of listening. Training taught me how to communicate and facilitate learning. Sports psychology taught me about mindset, resilience, performance and dealing with pressure,” he explains. “These skills have become extremely useful because social impact is ultimately about people.” Looking ahead, Raghu says he wants TheGoodTalkFactory to grow without losing the human connection that has shaped it from the beginning. “I want TGTF to become bigger than its founder.

If everything depends on one person, then we haven't really built an institution,” he says. His larger vision is to create a community of people who are willing to listen, question exclusion, create opportunities and take action.

That vision will now take centre stage at Akan Aahvaanam 2026, where Akan Hyderabad and TheGoodTalkFactory will bring together food, culture, music and community participation for a special Independence Day fundraising gathering. Scheduled for August 15, 2026, from 12 noon to 4 PM at Akan Hyderabad, Madhapur, the event will support initiatives focused on accessibility and inclusion, autism awareness and support, and education and livelihood development through Project Vidya.

The gathering will also feature a ‘Pay As You Please Aritaaku Bhojanam’, live performances, art and artisan stalls, and sensory and interactive experiences.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Askari Jaffer

Askari Jaffer[email protected]

Askari Jaffer, Features Editor, with a longstanding interest in writing a range of stories, has earned herself a place in the field of journalism. With strong values and courage acquired from her father, who served in the Indian Defence, she reflects in her writings. A strong desire to learn about the legal system, she has focused her writing on women's challenges. She writes about the women who became successful in various fields to inspire others. She takes an interest in education, health, lifestyle, fashion and entertainment too.

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