KATHMANDU – Dhruba Adhikari, the co-founder and former Chief Technology Officer of the digital wallet Khalti, has officially announced his new venture titled the Sunflower Institute for Autism.
He made this significant announcement today to mark the occasion of Saraswati Puja, also known as Basanta Panchami. This project serves as the flagship initiative under his newly established investment firm, Sunflower Equity Partners.
Following his recent departure from Khalti, Adhikari shared that he has received mixed responses ranging from curiosity to skepticism. However, he noted that the conversation has quickly shifted from why he left to how he plans to build this massive undertaking.
He emphasized that Sunflower Equity Partners is not a traditional financial firm. Instead, he describes it as an impact-first and purpose-led organization committed to solving deep-rooted structural problems rather than just funding them.
Adhikari highlighted the urgent need for better services in the Kathmandu Valley. He pointed out that over 1,500 newborns enter the system every year requiring therapeutic intervention. The current infrastructure is severely limited, with most centers capable of handling only about 50 individuals.
He explained that pushing beyond this limit leads to operational collapse and staff burnout. He warned that this creates a compounding deficit because these are not temporary cases, and most individuals require lifelong support.
According to Adhikari’s estimates, there are currently around 20,000 individuals under the age of 25 who remain unserved by the current system. He argued that existing facilities are not just overwhelmed but are structurally incapable of meeting the demand. Consequently, he stated that the time for talking is over and a disruptive solution is necessary.
The mission of the new institute is to build infrastructure and solutions for autism, accessibility, and inclusivity, with a future roadmap to expand into mental health. Adhikari confirmed that the work has already begun.
This article was originally published on https://bajarkochirfar.com. Translated with the help of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
