Questioning Faith in a Land of Many Gods
Growing up in a humble household in India, religion was part of the culture for Kundan Yadav, a graduate of BYU–Hawaii. In a country with countless gods, everywhere he turned, people showed devotion to their faith. But at age fifteen, Yadav began to question everything. “I stopped believing in God and called myself an atheist. I didn’t realize then that Heavenly Father was quietly preparing a path that would change my life forever,” he shares.
One day, a close childhood friend whom Yadav confided in invited him to attend church with her. He accepted the simple invitation only because of their friendship. Little did he know that Sunday would change his life’s course. Yadav wasn’t an English speaker and didn’t know anyone at the church. Even walking up to the chapel made him nervous. Despite his nerves, he felt something powerful—a sense of peace and belonging he had never experienced before. “The members of the church were so welcoming and made me feel at home. I went home that day knowing the Church is true; I felt it,” he recalls. Yadav began attending church regularly and was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Serving Family and Faith
When Yadav joined the Church, he did not yet speak English. Through attending church meetings and serving as a missionary, he began to learn. He later found a good job at an international company and became the main provider for his family. Because of this, Yadav thought he would never serve a full-time mission. “My parents hadn’t received a formal education, and I felt responsible for their well-being,” he shares. “Every time missionaries invited me to serve, I would smile and say no—'I have to take care of my family.'”
One day, Yadav’s bishop encouraged him to pray about it. Yadav asked Heavenly Father in prayer if it was His will for him to serve a mission and if his family would be cared for while he was on a two-year mission for the Church.
“Not long after my prayer, I was sent on a two-month business trip to the Netherlands, where I earned enough money to support my family during my absence,” shares Yadav, “I knew it wasn’t a coincidence — it was God’s hand.”
Yadav was called to serve in the India Bangalore Mission from 2019 to 2021. He believes those two years were life-changing for him. Before the mission, Yadav was an active member of the Church; on his mission, he became truly active in the gospel. “Studying and teaching the doctrines of Christ helped me see how the gospel transforms lives–spiritually, emotionally, and even temporally. I learned that God doesn’t just guide us; He shapes us,” he shares.
Discovering a New Path at BYU–Hawaii
As he neared the end of his missionary work, Yadav learned about BYU–Hawaii for the first time through a friend who suggested he apply. At first, he wasn’t sure how his family would manage without him, until he learned about the IWORK Program, which allows students to study and work at the same time. “I felt at peace. I realized that if I worked hard, I could continue supporting my family while pursuing my education,” he says. “Once again, God provided a way.”
Leaving India was not easy for Yadav. His father was against it, but his mother gave him her blessing and encouraged him to pursue BYU–Hawaii. Everything from the application to the visa process was smooth and quick for Yadav. He believes he was being guided by a higher power.
Finding Purpose Through Technology and Innovation
When Yadav arrived at BYU–Hawaii, he planned to major in business management, but later switched to information technology. His love for technology began years earlier when he accompanied his mother to her job as a domestic helper and became fascinated by the computers there. Yadav remembered typing his name on the keyboard for the first time and thinking, 'This is amazing.' That moment stayed with him.
“I pursued IT because I wanted to use technology to solve real problems; I also chose to minor in humanities and entrepreneurship,” he shares, “Humanities because I love learning about people and cultures, and Entrepreneurship because I want to create something that blesses others’ lives.”
During his studies, Yadav participated in multiple business idea competitions on campus. Out of the seven competitions he entered, he won the Great Ideas Competition in 2024 for his project, DavaSeva, which translates to 'Medicine Service.' The idea came from his hometown in West Bengal, where people often traveled long distances just to buy medicine. Many cannot afford branded drugs, and few have access to transportation.
“My vision was to supply affordable generic medicines—up to 70–80% cheaper—through local stores and delivery,” Yadav says. “It’s a small step toward a big problem, and I’m working to open the first store this year.”
Love, Marriage, and Building an Eternal Family
In 2022, Yadav married his wife, whom he met years earlier at a youth conference. They later worked at the same company, then served in the same mission, and were finally accepted to BYU–Hawaii together. Yadav arrived a semester earlier; when she arrived a semester later, after two months of dating, he proposed to her. They were sealed in the temple in December that same year.
Temple marriage is deeply sacred to Yadav. It’s a covenant made before God — one that reminds him daily to live righteously and to love selflessly. “Whenever we attend the temple, I reflect on how I’m doing as a husband and father,” he shares. “Having God as the center of our marriage has helped us stay united and focused on eternal goals.”
Balancing starting a family and school can be challenging. When Yadav’s wife gave birth to their daughter during his final semester, it was one of the hardest periods of his life. She had a C-section, and they had no family nearby to help. Managing classes, work, and caring for his small family often seemed impossible. However, Yadav’s professors were understanding and helped him keep up with his studies. Even though it was tough, Yadav managed to earn high grades and maintain a good GPA.
Yadav often reflects on his upbringing, how his mother’s sacrifices laid the foundation for his future. She insisted he stay in school even when his father wanted him to work. “Because of my mother, I received an education, found the gospel, and now have the chance to build a Christ-centered family,” shares Yadav, “Remembering where I came from keeps me grounded and it reminds me that everything I have — every opportunity — is a blessing from God.”
Living with Intention and Gratitude
Since graduation, Yadav is currently undergoing his academic training with the Financial Services department while continuing to support his wife, who is still a student. Yadav’s goals are clear; first, to launch Dava Seva successfully and make it sustainable by 2026. Second, to gain professional experience in a company that will allow him to eventually return to India and continue serving his community.
To the new students or anyone thinking of attending BYU–Hawaii, Yadav’s advice is simple: "Be intentional." He urges everyone to utilize the resources available, grow in all aspects of Life, spirituality, intellectually, physically, and emotionally. “Don’t wait until your final semester to chase your dreams, start now, set goals, stretch your potential, and let the Lord shape your path,” he shares.
As he looks back, Yadav feels deeply grateful for BYU–Hawaii, to the donors who made his education possible, and to his Heavenly Father for guiding him every step of the way. “This experience didn’t just change my life — it changed the direction of my entire family,” he shares, “I am the first in my family to graduate from college, the first to join the Church, and, I hope, the first of many to continue this legacy of faith, service, and gratitude.”
