Interview
Philanthropy can provide ‘patient funding’ to boost science
Industry leaders and philanthropists Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Kris Gopalakrishnan and Rohini Nilekani have made individual and collective contributions towards furthering science and research in the city and outside. They told TOI’s Chethan Kumar in an interview that philanthropy could help provide the ‘patient funding’ that is needed to boost science and also help liberate science from […]
Podcast
Rohini Nilekani on why India’s wealthy need to do more to boost civil society
At a time when the government and the marketplace have assumed enormous power over our lives and choices, Rohini Nilekani argues that now is the time for civil societies to be boosted, and that India’s wealth creators need to do more about it. In this episode, she joins host Sandip Roy to discuss her latest […]
Panel
What lies ahead? Challenges and Opportunities for Samaaj, Sarkaar, Bazaar
This is an edited version of a panel discussion moderated by Rohini Nilekani, hosted by ATREE Bangalore. The panellists included Veena Srinivasan, K Vijayraghavan, Sameer Shisodia and Harini Nagendra, who discussed the role of science and technology in the environmental crisis and sustainable economy in the future. We know by now that all the problems […]
Podcast
Giving Done Right Podcast: The Heart and the Head
This is an edited version of an episode of Giving Done Right, The Centre for Effective Philanthropy’s (CEP) podcast on making an impact with charitable giving. CEP’s President, Phil Buchanan and Vice President of Programming and External Relations, Grace Nicolette talk to Rohini Nilekani about trust-based philanthropy and what it means to create a philanthropic […]
Podcast
The Importance Of Water Data With Peter Gleick & Rohini Nilekani | Dalberg
This is an edited version of an episode on The Water Data Podcast produced by Dalberg Advisors and Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment. The hosts, Veena Srinivasan and Nirat Bhatnagar, speak with Peter Gleick from Pacific Institute and Rohini Nilekani about the role and importance of water data, trends in the […]
Panel
Insider-Outsider-Insider
Rohini Nilekani moderates a discussion on delivering large-scale transformational programs, impact on the ground, and the implementation of such programmes in a large and diverse country like India. The discussion draws on the learnings from the Swachh Bharat Mission, the world’s largest successful behaviour change programme, which drew over 55 crore rural Indians out of […]
Article
Love, not log frames
Gautam John, Director of Strategy, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, on how philanthropy needs an overhaul, from narrow illusions of control to promoting empathy and agency. We will likely remember 2020 for three things. The year the phrase ‘you are on mute’ went mainstream. The year we want to forget, and not view in hindsight. And the […]
Interview
Exclusive | Rohini Nilekani’s Tips To Raise A Reader
This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani’s conversation with KidsStopPress about her latest book, ‘The Hungry Little Sky Monster’ and her top tips to raise readers. ‘The Hungry Little Sky Monster’ is my 14th book for children, but it’s the first one I’ve published with Juggernaut and my first commercial book. It was inspired […]
Panel
ASER 2020 Wave 1 Report Release
This is an edited version of a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Madhav Chavan and featuring Mr. Ashish Dhawan from Central Square Foundation, Rohini Nilekani from Arghyam, and Vineet Nayar from Sampark Foundation. The ASER 2020 survey is particularly important because it is not only concerned with learning outcomes, but also the process of […]
Panel
Childhood Interrupted
This is an edited version of BIC Streams session titled ‘Childhood Interrupted’, a discussion that looks at the impact of the pandemic on children, especially between ages 8 to 18. Hosted by Rohini Nilekani, the participants included Dr. Shekhar Seshadri, professor of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NIMHANS; Kavita Gupta, founder of […]
Interview
Samaaj, Sarkaar and Bazaar: The New Normal in Times of COVID-19 Pandemic
This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani’s conversation with ET Now, about the Coronavirus pandemic and the changes it has brought in her work and in society at large. The pandemic has brought many changes in our lives, some for better and others for worse. The negative repercussions are being felt by people of […]
Panel
Rohini Nilekani, Ravi Venkatesan and Friends: Reimagining Abundance
This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani’s conversation with Ravi Venkatesan (Founder, Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship) and Nipun Mehtra (Founder, ServiceSpace). Joining them is Brinda Govindan (a teacher at San Francisco State University), Shaalini Srinivasan (co-editor of MovedbyLove), and Jordyn Alexandra (a teacher in Salt Lake City). They discuss how to respond with […]
Panel
Closing Address | Beyond #Charcha2020: India’s Priorities
This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani’s conversation with Ashish Dhawan and Sanjay Pugalia about the next steps for India’s resurgence from the current crisis. The session was part of #Charcha2020, which brought together 100+ hours of insights and knowledge shared across events by leading businessmen, policymakers, academicians, philanthropists, community leaders, and changemakers. [A […]
Panel
Resilience, Hope: India in the Time of COVID-19 & Climate Change
This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani in conversation with Jairam Ramesh (former Minister for Environment and Forests) and Navroz Dubash (Professor at the Centre for Policy Research). Moderated by Barkha Dutt, New Worlds is a three-part digital series by the India Climate Collaborative to discuss resilience and recovery in the face of our […]
Panel
Home Work: Imagining a New Deal with Domestic Workers
This is an edited version of a panel discussion on “Home Work: Imagining a New Deal with Domestic Workers” with Geeta Menon, Amita Baviskar, Alok Prasanna, and Vikram Rai, in conversation with Rohini Nilekani. The event was hosted by the Bangalore International Centre. Globally, one out of every 25 women is employed as a domestic […]
Interview
Rohini’s Message During the ChaloGive Fundraiser
This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani’s comments and message during the ChaloGive fundraiser. The way COVID-19 has restructured all our lives is unprecedented. Nobody expected everything to unravel quite this quickly. We recently conducted some surveys with Omidyar and Dalberg, and 64% of the respondents said that they were facing a serious loss […]
Panel
Community Cares: A City Responds
This is an edited version of a conversation about the community response to the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic, moderated by Rohini Nilekani. Panelists include Anshu Gupta, Nalini Sekhar and Kuldeep Dantewadia. The times we are living in, and the reality of COVID-19, means that we are being called on to do things in new ways and […]
Panel
IPSMF | Panel Discussion on ‘The Future of News Media & The Role Of Independent Media’
This is an edited version of the IPSMF Panel Discussion on The Future of News Media & The Role Of Independent Media on October 25, 2019, at BIC, Bengaluru, moderated by Rohini Nilekani. The panellists included Anya Schiffrin, Professor, Columbia University; Govind Ethiraj, Founder, IndiaSpend; Jagannathan R, Editorial Director, Swarajya; Seema Singh, Founding Editor, The […]
Keynote
Closing Keynote | Strategic Non-Profit Management India | 2019
This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani’s closing keynote address delivered to the 2019 class of the Strategic Non-Profit Management – India offered developed in conjunction with the HBS Social Enterprise Initiative and offered in association with the Centre for Social Impact and Philanthropy at Ashoka University. I think we are at a fairly […]
Keynote
How Samaaj Impacts the way in Which Sarkaar and Bazaar Work
This is an edited version of a talk Rohini Nilekani gave at the offices of the eGovernments Foundation on how samaaj impacts the way in which sarkaar and bazaar work, and the role of samaaj in eGov’s mission. The Continuum of Samaaj, Sarkaar, and Bazaar Since the past 25 years, I’ve been deeply involved in […]
Keynote
Bangalore’s Shapeshifts: A Personal Journey
This is an edited version of a talk Rohini Nilekani gave as part of a curated series called ‘Speaking of the City,’ curated by Bangalore’s World-Famous Semi-Deluxe Writing Program at Shoonya. Rohini talks about the city’s role in her work as a philanthropist and social innovator. An Accidental Bangalorean It’s been 35 years […]
Keynote
Gender Equity – Including Young Men and Boys | 12th Dr. Lalita Iyer Memorial Lecture
This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani’s speech, “Gender Equity – Including Young Men and Boys” at the 12th Dr. Lalita Iyer Memorial Lecture at IIM, Ahmedabad on April 13, 2019 at IIM, Ahmedabad. When Nandan and I became wealthy, the responsibility of that wealth sat heavy on our shoulders, but the duty to […]
Panel
Rohini Nilekani’s Comments on Philanthropy: It’s Time to up the Game
Rohini Nilekani’s comments on a panel discussing Mr Azim Premji’s new commitment to philanthropy totalling $21 billion. The panel discusses whether there are lessons in compassionate capitalism here for India Inc? What is the future of philanthropy in India? What are the challenges? How can India increase the effectiveness of charity? The panel discusses what […]
Keynote
Embracing Risk: Solving our Societal Challenges
This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani’s keynote talk on Embracing Risk: Solving our Societal Challenges at Dasra Philanthropy Week 2019 in Mumbai. Rohini talks about how we can take greater risks, both individually and collectively, how we can embrace failure as an opportunity, and how we can mitigate the downsides. We’ve come […]
Keynote
Samaaj and Bazaar: Congruence over Divergence
This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani’s keynote talk on Samaaj and Bazaar: Congruence over Divergence at Dasra Philanthropy Week 2019 in Mumbai. We often set up Civil Society (Samaaj) and Markets (Bazaar) as opposing binaries. In this talk, Rohini proposes that they have more in common and more to gain, collectively, in collaborating […]
Interview
Our Cities, Our Rivers: Re-imagining the Relationship
As 1.3 billion people seek better lives in a monsoon-dependent economy, the white and green revolutions may have produced grains and milk, but water is in some parts of India today more expensive and less accessible than milk. Ground water resources are depleting. NIITI Ayog sees a crisis by 2020. Where do we stand? How […]
Keynote
Impact and Failures | Opening Keynote at Impact Failure Conclave, 2018
Rohini’s opening keynote delivered at the Impact Failure Conclave 2018 This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani’s opening keynote delivered at the Impact Failure Conclave 2018. When we think about failure, the way it’s received by samaaj (society), bazaar (markets), and sarkaar (state) are quite different. In the social sector, we have realised how […]
Interview
The Art Of Giving : Nandan Nilekani & Rohini Nilekani
Wealth doesn’t fully belong to us, we are only trustees. Our children knew that. Power to give away is the most important value of money,” inspiring words from Nandan and Rohini Nilekani, days after signing the Giving Pledge. As part of the pledge, they have committed to donate half of their wealth to charity. In […]
Article
Rohini Nilekani’s Message for GivingTuesday India
believe that events Like #GivingTuesdaylndia and Daan Utsav are ways for us to reach beyond ourselves. In a country where far too many people are still waiting to experience economic and social dignity, these are attempts at building an integrated society, a good samaaj, which is the true foundation of successful nations. I hope people […]
Interview
Bengaluru is not inclusive: Rohini Nilekani
“The city is not inclusive. The elite and the poor have different ideas and their interests often compete with each other, leaving fewer means for them to protest together. That is why we see disparate protests. However, there are some issues like water and mobility that bring all of us together,” writer and philanthropist Rohini […]
Panel
Bangalore vs Bengaluru: The Tale Of Two Indian Cities
This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani’s panel discussion with Naresh Narasimhan (Architect), Vinay K Sreenivasa (Alternative Law Forum), Pawan Kumar (Film-maker), and T M Veeraraghav (Resident Editor, The Hindu Bengaluru). The discussion, titled ‘Bangalore vs Bengaluru: The Tale Of Two Indian Cities’ was a part of The Huddle 2017, held on February 10, […]
Interview
India’s Uber Rich: How they Should Behave.
This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani’s conversation with Vikram Singh Mehta at the 2016 Times Lit Fest in Delhi. When my family happened to get rich a few years ago, I had to grapple with the question of what to do with this wealth. As someone who was a journalist, and who grew […]
Keynote
The Plight of the Young Indian Man | The Bridge Talks
This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani’s talk on the peripheral status of men and boys in discussions on gender and the need for inclusive gender empowerment, at The Bridge Talks. I have worked in the nonprofit sector for the past 20 years, and through my philanthropy, I’ve been active in issues of education, […]
Panel
India at the Crossroads
This is an edited version of a panel discussion with Neera Nundy, Rikin Gandhi, Tim Hanstad, and Rohini Nilekani on Social Entrepreneurship: India at the Crosswords, at the 2015 Skoll World Forum. India is clearly at an inflection point. There is global momentum, true economic incentives, and real desire to achieve social and economic progress […]
Interview
First Givers Club – Signature Workshop with Rohini Nilekani & Nandan Nilekani
This is an edited version of a panel discussion with Mr. Mahesh Krishnamurthy, Nandan and Rohini Nilekani, for GiveIndia.org, an online donation platform. My journey in the nonprofit sector began with a serendipitous meeting with CV Madhukar. Towards the end of 1999, when my children were starting to become more independent, I was lucky enough […]
Article
Small bunch of Indian philanthropists supporting ventures in unconventional areas of governance, human rights
Even as much of Indian philanthropic capital flows into predictable areas like education, healthcare or water, a small and gutsy bunch of philanthropists is directing their generosity towards issues like governance and the thorny thickets of human rights. View PDF
Keynote
Address at 10th Anniversary of Akshara Foundation
This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani’s speech on equitable quality education for all children, organised as a part of Akshara’s 10th Anniversary celebrations. Rohini spoke about the breadth and depth available today in the field of education, and pledged for social inclusion, for an equitable dispensation for marginalised and underprivileged children. One […]
TV Show
Uncommon Ground | Habil Khorakiwala and Mirai Chatterjee on Healthcare for All
This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani’s Uncommon Ground, where she brings together titans of industry and leaders of civil society to explore eight themes that are highly relevant for our future development. In this episode, she moderates a discussion on health services with Habil Khorakiwala, Chairman of Wockhardt Group, and Dr. Mirai Chatterjee, […]
Book
The Moon and The Cap – Pratham Books
Do you like to wear a cap on a sunny day? Find out who else likes to wear a cap in this charming book. This is a Level 1 book for children who are eager to begin reading. View PDF
Article
MONOPOLY ON IDEAS
More an explorer than a strategist, the Net-economy woman is teaching business how to do the job. These are snapshots of four women from Bangalore, perhaps the fastest evolving city in India. I have chosen them because I like to believe these women are part of our mentor capital. 1 like to believe that we need to know […]