Swathi Kantamani: From Oxford classrooms to transforming lives in rural India

(January 29, 2025) After studying at one of the world’s most prestigious universities like Oxford, most people either pursue lucrative jobs abroad or return to India to lead a life of comfort. However, Swathi Kantamani chose a different path, driven by a deep sense of purpose and giving back. As the head of Natco Trust, she has dedicated her career to addressing critical issues in both urban and rural communities, focussing on uplifting marginalised groups. From leading palliative care initiatives for terminally ill children to improving education and healthcare infrastructure, Swathi’s work stands out for its empathy and impact. 

Most days, she is busy solving a problem. As the head of Natco Trust (the CSR arm of the Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical behemoth Natco Pharma), which works in the spheres of healthcare and education, she spends her time devising interventions that can transform the lives and livelihoods of people.

Swathi Kantamani

Equally at ease waking up at 4 a.m. to visit a thanda (hamlet) in Nagarjunasagar in Telangana or delivering a speech at a conference that recognises young leaders, Swathi moves effortlessly, balancing her commitment to community development with her role as a thought leader and advocate for change.

Under her leadership, Natco Trust has impacted the lives of more than 300,000 people and actualises change where it is needed the most. Her ability to blend empathy with action, her relentless pursuit of solutions, and her vision for sustainable progress have ensured that the communities Natco Trust serves not only survive but thrive.

Rooted in intellectual curiosity

Born and raised in the picturesque coastal town of Visakhapatnam, Swathi’s upbringing was steeped in intellectual curiosity and a deep appreciation for learning. Her childhood years were shaped at Rishi Valley School, her father’s alma mater, where she along with her sister and four cousins studied. Growing up in a family where education, love for reading, and importance of speaking one’s mind were encouraged (her grandfather was the vice chancellor of Andhra University), Swathi loved her time at Rishi Valley.

“At eight, I was the youngest, but the environment at Rishi Valley gave me a holistic view of life. It was idyllic—perfect for learning and discovering oneself,” she shares with Global Indian. A strong foundation in fine arts and humanities at school ignited her love for painting, a passion she still nurtures through her exquisite botanical works, which grace the walls of her home.

Swathi during one of the leadership talks

Swathi’s thirst for knowledge only grew. After an unfulfilling stint at St. Joseph’s College, where she turned to books for solace, she stood second in the all-India entrance exam and, despite her parents’ reluctance, came to Hyderabad to do her degree in African American women’s writing.

In 2005, Swathi worked as an editor for children’s books at Orient Longman (now Orient Black Swan), where she ‘learnt the brass tacks of publishing and everything that goes into making a book,’ and later pursued a master’s at Oxford University, a transformative experience that widened her horizons. Studying at one of the world’s best universities enabled her to meet different people and understand varied perspectives.  

From publishing to philanthropy

On her return, she joined the Natco Trust in 2008, channeling her energy into understanding and addressing the root causes of poverty and marginalisation.

Her commitment took her to the remote corners of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in the early hours of the morning, where she would meet with women before they headed for the fields. The detailed discussions and firsthand insights gave her a deep understanding of the challenges they faced. This led Swathi to develop a multi-pronged approach, targeting key areas where change could act as a catalyst—because a hungry child cannot focus in class, and a teenage girl cannot attend school without access to proper toilets. 

Natco Trust primarily operates in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, focusing on areas like Nagarjunasagar, Guntur, Kothur, Mekaguda, and rural and urban Hyderabad, where Natco’s factories are located, ensuring support logistics are readily available. Swathi’s approach at the Trust is rooted in empathy. “You can’t sit in a boardroom and plan. You need to be on the ground, understanding the challenges firsthand,” she says.

Swathi Kantamani while conducting a session at the Hyderabad Literary Festival

The initial years were focused on understanding the deep impact of Natco Trust’s work. The Trust’s initiatives — ranging from running mobile clinics to nutrition programs in some of the most backward districts of Telangana — reflect her belief in a comprehensive, ground-up strategy. 

“There is a lot of friction between what you want to achieve and what people expect of you. Winning the trust of the community is not easy; there is a lot of negotiation and a period of gestation before it happens.”

A hands-on approach to change

One of the most impactful examples of her work is the palliative pediatric ward for terminally ill children at the MNJ Hospital in Nampally, set up in 2009. “Parents don’t have the knowledge to navigate this difficult time. This ward helps the children receive the care they need. I have an amazing team that focuses on the micro element.” Her commitment remains unwavering, as she knows that disease and ill health wait for no one.

Other remarkable interventions by the Trust include working with the government to build the state-of-the-art government hospital in Guntur, smoothly running two well-regarded schools (one each in both the Telugu states), and collaborating with LV Prasad Hospitals to set up an outpost in Kothur village in Telangana, providing subsidized eye care for the underprivileged.

Moreover, the Natco Zilla Parishad High School in Kothur, built by the Trust, is a stunning structure with brick jali-clad walls and open design. Swathi imagined the school as more than just a place of learning — she believed that for students from underprivileged backgrounds, who often lived in cramped homes, the open spaces would inspire freedom and creativity, helping to unshackle their minds. 

Leading With Empathy

Today, Swathi is happy to witness the impact Natco Trust has generated at the grassroots and is keen to continue with her philanthropy. “We receive many requests, so it’s important that our work is both meaningful and sustainable,” she explains. “It’s not just about addressing immediate needs but creating long-term change that empowers communities to thrive independently.”

Today, her travels abroad give her a worldview on many pressing issues. “I pick up different tropes or ideas around development and problem-solving from the West,” she says, adding, “I witness a lot of ideations around different issues, be it solving poverty or eradicating issues, which I can apply to the Indian context.”

What sets Swathi apart is her single-minded focus on everything she does. Whether she’s spending hours at the rocks of Khajaguda (in Hyderabad) for a painting or attending an aksharabhyasam ceremony at the schools the Trust runs, she approaches each task with the same dedication and passion.

When she isn’t working, the changemaker likes to spend time at home with her family that includes her husband Rajeev Nannapaneni (CEO of Natco Pharma), and two young children, Arudra and Uttara.

Swathi Kantamani at the inauguration of the Natco Eye Center at Munipalle Village, Ponnur, Guntur, in collaboration with L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI)

Swathi’s life is driven by purpose and gratitude. “I know the work I do can be the difference between growth and stagnation, health and illness, or even life and death,” she says. And while she continues to navigate the complexities of work and life, she remains steadfast in her commitment to making a difference and giving back to the community.

Returning to Give Back

For many Indians who leave the country for education or work, the idea of coming back to make a difference is a deeply personal decision. It’s not just about returning home—it’s about finding purpose in addressing the challenges they once saw growing up. Swathi Kantamani is one of those people who felt the need to reconnect with her roots and use what she had learned to create change. She came back to India with a clear goal: to improve lives at the grassroots level. Her journey reflects a growing trend of Indians who are choosing to step away from lucrative opportunities elsewhere to give back to the communities that shaped their early years.

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