Human-first learning that actually transforms
The first training brand that treats empathy as culture, not a module
About us
Kindling Academy is a movement to humanise foundational education in India.
We design transformative learning experiences that help children build:
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Confidence
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Voice
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Clarity of thought
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Empathy
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Civic sense
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Legal literacy
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Inner resilience
Our programs blend communication, expression, legal shaping not literacy, narrative intelligence, and play just skills, but identity.
We work with schools, educators, and organisations to create spaces where children feel safe to think, speak, question, and imagine.
Education should awaken, not overwhelm. Learning should liberate, not limit.
This is the foundation we are rebuilding.
Zelam Phadke
Founder
Zelam is an educator, lawyer, and writer and at heart, a lifelong learner fascinated by how humans think, feel, connect, and communicate. She has a dual master's in law (with SET) and English literature (with UGC-NET).
A generalist by nature, She has been many things over the years: a corporate lawyer, journalist, content writer and editor, law professor, English professor, communications trainer, and curriculum designer. That mosaic journey shaped her biggest strength: the ability to blend disciplines, spot patterns, and turn complexity into clarity.
She is also a passionate reader, traveller, and Hindustani Classical vocalist; all of which feed the work that now she does through Kindling Academy, the venture she founded to bring learning, storytelling, and empathy together.
Services offered
1. Kindling
Learning
A learning solutions platform Kindling Learning that designs human-first programs and workshops in communication, empathy, emotional intelligence, legal awareness, and storytelling for corporates, NGOs, and educational institutions.
2. Kindling
Stories
A writing and content studio that crafts thought leadership, blogs, white papers, and storytelling projects across education, law, humanities, and culture. We also create our own essays, eBooks, and newsletters that explore how people, ideas, and emotions shape the world.
Past workshops
Emotional intelligence workshop
IY College, 2o25
Digital well-being workshop
Rajaram College, 2o25
Testimonials
Rakesh Bhandare,
Third Year - Mumbai University
"Before the kindling workshop, I didn’t realize how much my emotions influenced my decisions and relationships. Learning to pause, reflect, and respond instead of react has helped me manage stress and communicate better with friends and professors."
Shruti Puranik
First Year - Mumbai University
"I used to get overwhelmed during exams and group projects. Kindling workshop taught me how to stay calm, understand others’ perspectives, and build confidence. It’s made a huge difference in how I handle pressure and conflict."
Akhil Chavan
Second Year - Shivaji University
"I thought emotional intelligence was just about being nice. Turns out, it’s about being smart with your feelings. I’ve become more self-aware and better at handling tough conversations. Every student should experience this kind of workshops"
