HomeAbout › Our Story

How Sweet Souls Society Started

A story of hope, courage and family

How Sweet Souls Society began

Sweet Souls Society for Type 1 Diabetes began as a deeply personal mission - the lived experience of a young woman who transformed her own daily challenges into a movement for thousands of others.

In 2014, Dishana Kidambi, then a teenager living with Type 1 Diabetes, chose to turn her journey into something larger than herself. Diagnosed with T1D at a young age, Dishana understood firsthand the struggle of managing an autoimmune condition that demands relentless care - glucose monitoring, insulin injections, diet adjustments, and emotional resilience. Rather than letting the disease isolate her, she used it as a call to action.

With the loving support of her parents, Nalini Kidambi and Ramesh Kidambi, Dishana founded Sweet Souls Society for Type 1 Diabetes in 2014. Their goal was clear: to build a community of support, education, and advocacy for people living with Type 1 Diabetes - a space where no one would have to feel alone, fearful, or misunderstood in their daily journey.

Early on, Dishana and her parents focused on creating a support network where individuals and families could share experiences, information, and emotional strength. They organized meetups, awareness campaigns, and educational efforts to shine a light on the realities of living with T1D - a condition often misunderstood by society at large.

Their approach combined personal empathy, community building, and active outreach. What began as a small initiative has grown significantly over the years into a recognized support group and advocacy network for Type 1 Diabetes in India. These efforts have not only helped individuals cope better with the disease but have also helped influence broader conversations about access to care, insulin affordability, and public awareness.

Today, Sweet Souls Society continues to carry forward the vision - with families, volunteers, healthcare professionals, and advocates joining hands to empower people with Type 1 Diabetes with hope, dignity, and practical support.

In their own words

A note from the founding family

Ramesh Kidambi, Nalini Kidambi and Dhishna Kidambi

15 years ago, we had only heard of "juvenile diabetes" in passing, something that happened to one in a million kids. Today, Type 1 Diabetes has become a known autoimmune condition across the world affecting several children and young adults.

It is a life shattering experience for parents when their child is diagnosed with T1D. "Why my child", and "what did I do wrong" is a common sentiment that haunts every parent, and the fact is, anyone can get Type 1 Diabetes and the only way to deal with it is good management. Dhishna was diagnosed at 12, and is now a well accomplished adult. Diabetes could not stop her from being an achiever in academics and otherwise, and we as parents are determined to encourage her to dream and aim big, and support her all through.

Stay strong, reach out for support, never try to hide. Please remember your child is deriving all the strength from you! Invest time on learning how to manage, and it helps if the whole family follows the diet and discipline.

We are in a good place today in terms of technology that helps to manage T1D. We hear about cure and research all the time. Despite the play of Pharma, we need to believe in Science and Humanity and hope the day is not far, where every single person with Type One is Type None!!

— Sweet Souls

The founding family

Who started Sweet Souls Society

DK

Dishana Kidambi

Founder

Masters in Education & Psychology

Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at 12, Dishana founded Sweet Souls Society in 2014 as a teenager, choosing to turn her own daily struggle into a movement for thousands of others. Today she is a well accomplished adult and the reason this community exists.

RK

Ramesh Kidambi

Co-Founder & Joint Secretary

Businessman

Ramesh co-founded Sweet Souls Society in 2014 alongside his daughter Dishana and his wife Nalini. He continues to lead the organisation's outreach to families newly navigating a Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis.

NK

Nalini Kidambi

Co-Founder & Executive Member

Education Consultant

Nalini co-founded Sweet Souls Society in 2014. Drawing on her background in education, she has helped shape the organisation's school awareness and family counselling work.

Your family does not have to do this alone

Join 1,500+ families who share knowledge, encouragement and practical help every single week. Membership is free.