August 19, 2022
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 […]

May 16, 2022
Interview

My grandson is my inspiration: Rohini Nilekani

Writer Rohini Nilekani is a doting grandma. And over the last five years, her grandson, Tanush, who has been the joy of her life has also been the inspiration for many of her books, including the latest one, The Great Rifasa (Rs 60). Released on Sunday, young readers, accompanied by their parents, seated themselves on […]

March 25, 2022
Article

Indian philanthropists need to become bolder, lead with trust, look for new areas to fund: Rohini Nilekani

Winner of FILA 2022 Grassroots Philanthropist, Nilekani props up causes that others may find risky, and steers her philanthropy by having an ear to the ground, operating from a place of trust, and being liberal with her time for the causes and people she supports By Divya J Shekhar, Forbes India Staff It was less […]

July 12, 2021
Interview

What India Inc can learn from non-profits | Livemint

Rohini Nilekani, who has stepped down as Arghyam Foundation chairperson, talks about how corporates can make social accountability part of their mission By Shalini Umachandran for Livemint  There’s no secret, quick fix formula to changing habits. It takes years, even decades, to break out of established patterns of behaviour, but philanthropist Rohini Nilekani believes the pandemic has shown […]

November 25, 2020
Interview

Philanthropy and Covid-19: Who will be India’s Rockefeller?

Although a handful of Indian billionaire families have stepped up to help mitigate the pandemic’s fallout, India is yet to inculcate a culture of philanthropy among the super-rich In 1918, an in!uenza virus emerged (probably in the US) that would spread around the world, and one of its earliest appearances in lethal form came in […]

August 12, 2020
Panel

Grey Matters – Conversations with Women Leaders Defying Ageism in the Pandemic

This is an edited version of Rohini Nilekani’s conversation with Arundhati Nag, Geetha Narayanan, Nirupama Menon Rao, and Rekha Menon on defying agism in the pandemic. In this session on BIC Streams: Grey Matters, these iconic Bengaluru women, now in their 60’s or more address issues of ageism, sexism, and the uncharted future. As leaders […]

October 21, 2016
Article

Indian diaspora givers becoming a powerful force in global philanthropy

An emotional link to their roots means causes in the homeland are a principal target for their philanthropic funding. “Certainly they have been giving to charities that are close to home, whether in education or health, or something they were connected with emotionally,” says Rohini Nilekani, a prominent India based donor and champion for philanthropy […]

October 11, 2012
Interview

Rohini Nilekani pours her wealth into getting books to India’s poorest children

When she found herself suddenly wealthy, the Indian philanthropist founded Pratham Books, a nonprofit publisher that uses innovative ways to put low-cost books in the hands of millions of kids. “My mission is to put a book in every child’s hand,” says Rohini Nilekani That’s an ambitious goal anywhere, but especially in India, where there […]