Others Archives - Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies

Press Release : Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, Dalberg Advisors and Ashoka Changemakers launch landscape study on Ageing and Longevity in India

The report takes stock of the latest data, programs and narratives on aging in India, and hopes to catalyze action in the longevity space, through recommendations made for civil society organizations, policy makers, and philanthropy.

Bengaluru, India, May 27th, 2025: Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies launches an all-inclusive report on aging and longevity in India. Produced in collaboration with Dalberg Advisors and Ashoka Changemakers, the report “Longevity: A New Way of Understanding Ageing”, seeks to reshape the narrative around aging through a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach – not just longer lives, but better ones.

The report has been built off of interactions with leading expert organisations over ten months, allowing the capturing of diverse perspectives on longevity, its ideal approach, gaps in the ecosystem, and opportunities for intervention. The learnings from these organisations which include, Carers Worldwide, WisdomCircle, Vayah Vikas, Silver Talkies, HelpAge India, Nightingale Medical Trust, AARP, GreyShades, Happy2Age, St. John’s Hospital, Tata Trusts, Khyaal, Agewell Foundation, and One Billion Literates Foundation, have been further supplemented with interviews with over 15 other experts in the field.

Secondary data analysis has strengthened the report with key trends, models the socio-economic impact of inaction, and projects the benefits of enabling older adults to lead empowered lives.

In 2023-24, older adults contributed USD 68 billion in labor income, accounting for more than 3% of India’s GDP. Annually, they dedicate approximately 14 billion hours to caregiving within their families and an estimated 2.6 billion hours to community-building activities. Findings indicate that if older adults in India who wish to remain in the workforce were to re-enter the labor market, the country’s GDP could potentially increase by 1.5%.

Four dimensions shape the report’s exploration of longevity, based on the needs of older adults: economic security, health and well-being, freedom to participate, and social connectedness.

The report highlights three pivotal priorities for Samaaj Innovators and philanthropies to advance the longevity agenda. These include embedding longevity into societal consciousness as a shared mission, fostering groundbreaking ideas to improve older adults’ quality of life, and addressing systemic gaps in data, capacity, and collaboration to enable deeper, scalable change.

Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies comments, “By 2047, India will have 300 million older adults, and we will need much better structures for providing care and support to millions of people. Yet, older adults are not a homogenous, frail group. The elderly are also a seat of value. Can India take the lead in redefining what it means to be an older adult? Can we do it in time for the seismic shift in our demographics? Private philanthropy is critical to kickstart the multi-sectoral innovation we need to squarely and fairly address the issues that will arise with an ageing population. It’s my hope that this report will spur deeper public discourse on an issue that concerns us all.”

Swetha Totapally, Regional Director, Asia Pacific at Dalberg, says, “One of our most important findings is that there is already a whole ecosystem of Samaaj innovators who are rewriting the script of what it means to be an older adult in India. These organizations are creating a deeper understanding of older adults’ – and their families’ – lived realities, advancing important policies, developing new models for care, and supporting older adults to live life on their own terms. Given the rapid shift in our demographics, this is an opportune moment to learn from, support and help accelerate their efforts. By shifting our understanding of aging, we hope this report also helps spark a shift in how we build toward Viksit Bharat.”

Maria Clara Pinheiro, Ashoka’s New Longevity Co-Leader, shares, “This study has been invaluable in helping us learn from the ecosystem about the vast opportunities in longevity in India. One of the most powerful insights has been the chance to shift the narrative around lifelong contribution — recognizing that everyone, at any age, can remain active, engaged, and make a meaningful impact in society. As our demographics shift, it’s crucial for philanthropists, corporations, and governments to invest in the development of this growing field, ensuring that people of all ages can thrive and contribute.”

Access the full report here: https://samaaj.io/4iiGkmc

About Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies

Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies is a grant-making organisation dedicated to creating and strengthening communities for their betterment. Founded by philanthropist Rohini Nilekani, the foundation supports transformative initiatives focused on civic engagement, access to justice, gender equity, mental health, and environmental sustainability. Rohini and her husband, Nandan Nilekani, are signatories to the Giving Pledge, committing to donate half of their wealth to philanthropic causes.

For more information, visit – www.rohininilekaniphilanthropies.org

About Dalberg Advisors

Dalberg Advisors is a strategic advisory firm that combines the best of private sector strategy skills and rigorous analytical capabilities with deep knowledge and networks across emerging and frontier markets. We work collaboratively across the public, private and philanthropic sectors to fuel inclusive growth and help clients achieve their goals. Our global perspectives are firmly rooted in local realities. We have 28 offices across the world and have served clients in more than 135 countries. By combining local knowledge and international experience, our strategies blend the best global ideas and innovations with the local practicalities and partnerships needed for effective implementation. Dalberg Advisors is part of the Dalberg Group which comprises six businesses — Dalberg Advisors, Dalberg Data Insights, Dalberg Design, Dalberg Implement, Dalberg Media, and Dalberg Research — and a not-for- profit, Dalberg Catalyst.

For more information, visit – https://dalberg.com/

About Ashoka Changemakers

Ashoka is the world’s largest network of social entrepreneurs. For over 40 years, it has been at the forefront of transformative impact – identifying systems, changing social innovators and accelerating their ideas to build more equitable and just communities worldwide. Ashoka envisions a world where everyone is a changemaker—where individuals embrace their power, develop the skills to solve problems, and activate others to lead and thrive. Together, changemakers are shaping a society that enables everyone to create positive change for the greater good.

For more information, visit – https://www.ashoka.org/en-us/program/ashoka-changemakers

Press Release | Mannotsava Kicks Off in Bengaluru, Championing Mental Health Conversations

Bengaluru, October 26, 2024: Mannotsava, the National Mental Health Festival 2024, co-hosted by Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies (RNP), the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), was inaugurated today in the presence of Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson – Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies; Dr Pratima Murthy, Director – NIMHANS and Prof LS Shashidhara, Centre Director – National Centre for Biological Sciences. This landmark festival scheduled between today and tomorrow (October 26 & 27, 2024) aims to elevate mental health conversations across India, bringing together experts, artists, and communities to combat stigma and foster awareness.

The festival features a diverse lineup, including expert-led discussions, art performances, interactive workshops, and informative stalls. With its holistic approach, Mannotsava, emphasises both education and action, empowering individuals and communities to proactively address mental health challenges. Its inclusive nature ensures participation from a wide cross-section of society, helping to expand the dialogue on mental well-being.

The key sessions explored will be around addiction, chronic illness, youth mental health, parenting, healthy aging, and more. With over 105 speakers, 40 sessions and 20+ stalls and installations, the festival is a step toward sustained impact in mental health advocacy, promising a future where conversations about mental well-being are a natural part of India’s public discourse.

Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, said, “Following the pandemic, mental health has emerged as a topic that needs a lot more discussion. But we don’t have many public platforms that bring together experts, civil society, researchers, and artists to dialogue on the state of our individual and collective well-being. Mannotsava endeavours to be such a platform, and we hope this festival will enrich the ongoing discourse around mental health.”

Dr Pratima Murthy, Director, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, said, “Mannotsava aspires to be a bridge between science and society and between mental wellness and illness. It creates a space for the sharing of credible information related to mental health. I am pleased with the diversity of contexts, themes and canvas Mannotsava is creating in this space.”

Professor Raghu Padinjat, National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), said, “We are poised at a unique moment in time where the emergence of powerful new technologies can drive discovery in the area of altered brain function in mental illness in India and across the world. Such discoveries can be a powerful enabler of new and better solutions for handling the challenges posed my mental illness and be an enabler of metal well-being.”

The two-day festival is expected to attract over 2000 attendees including students, medical practitioners, public, counsellors, caregivers and development sector professionals.

About Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies Foundation (RNPF):

For more information, visit – www.rohininilekaniphilanthropies.org

About NIMHANS:

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru is a leading center for mental health and brain research in India. It focuses on understanding and treating mental health disorders through education, research, and clinical care. NIMHANS provides various services, including counseling and treatment, while aiming to reduce stigma around mental health issues and improve awareness.

About NCBS:

The National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) is a premier research institute in India carrying out research in frontier areas of modern biology. NCBS scientists use interdisciplinary approaches to address complex problems in biology. NCBS plays a crucial role in advancing scientific understanding and contributing to mental health research, through work on the cellular and genetic basis of brain development and function.

Press Release: Science Gallery Bengaluru launches Sci560

Supported by Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, new exhibition-season aims to cultivate a strong connection between the citizens and research institutions of Bengaluru.

BENGALURU (24 August 2024) | Science Gallery Bengaluru (SGB) today announced a new exhibition-season that delves into Bengaluru’s rich history as India’s premier military-industrial- academic complex. The groundbreaking exhibition, Sci560, is born from the collaborative efforts of ten city-wide institutions and SGB, and is supported by Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies (RNP).

Shri N S Boseraju, Minister for Science and Technology, Government of Karnataka, officially inaugurated the Sci560 exhibition season today, declaring it open to public. Among the dignitaries were establishment Patrons, Rohini Nilekani and Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw board members including Pavan Kumar Malapati, Dr. Ekroop Caur, Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi and Dr. Jahnavi Phalkey, the Founding Director of Science Gallery Bengaluru.

The name ‘Sci560’ combines Bengaluru’s pin code, which starts with 560, with ‘sci’ to highlight the exhibition’s focus on science. The name also subtly evokes ‘sci-fi’, connecting the city’s scientific history with a sense of exploration and innovation for the future. The exhibition-season addresses the need for a cultural conversation around research in Bengaluru by highlighting the city’s rich history in science by showcasing objects that spearheaded the city’s growth. These include exhibits about fundamental research such as the Kolar Gold Fields neutrino experiments, and Bheja Fry, an experiment to understand how certain areas of the brain code time to remember causality. Other exhibits include the world-famous Bangalore Torpedo developed by the Madras Engineer Group as well as three generations of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) manufactured by the Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), alongside an old fashioned a ballot box.

Sci560 will be a hybrid exhibition that will be activated by public programmes every weekend. The opening weekend includes a quiz titled Bangalore Bytes, guided walkthrough in Kannada and English, and a public lecture on ‘Map is not the territory’. This paired with the presence of SGB’s Mediators, a team of young-adults passionate about the intersection of science and art, will bring Sci560 to life through public engagement.

Shri N S Boseraju, Minister for Science and Technology, Government of Karnataka said, “Sci560 is not just a chronicle of past achievements; it is a reminder of the power of scientific research to shape our future. The Government of Karnataka is committed to supporting initiatives that bring science closer to the public and that highlight the importance of research in addressing the challenges of our time. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Rohini Nilekani for her unwavering support of this exhibition, to Jahnavi Phalkey and her team, and to all the partner institutions, researchers and artists who have helped bring Sci560 to life. The story of science in our city is still being written, and I am certain that the best is yet to come.”

Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies and Board Member, Science Gallery Bengaluru, said, “For centuries, Bengaluru has uniquely demonstrated a spirit of innovation and inquiry. It has been the hub of scientific experimentation and institutional excellence. For years, I have wanted to showcase this spirit to its citizens. Science Gallery Bengaluru is now the perfect public space to make this dream a reality. Bengaluru also has a rich history of blending public and private capital to strengthen the roots of its scientific ecosystem, whether it was the setting up of IISc or the emergence of the technology sector. Now is the time for the larger public, especially the youth, to engage more freely with the city’s institutions and to be inspired, to be proud, and to weft a scientific thread into the cultural fabric of our city. Sci560 is a brilliant instance of a collaborative, creative step in this direction. I am so delighted to support this exhibition.”

“Sci560, our new exhibition in collaboration with the city’s leading institutions, explores Bengaluru as India’s most recognized military-industrial-academic complex. A dynamic twentieth century has shaped this city of new science and engineering. We invite citizens and visitors to explore some of the ideas, individuals and institutions that made this possible! We are grateful to Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies for the grant that supports this exhibition,” said Jahnavi Phalkey, Founding Director, Science Gallery Bengaluru.

About Science Gallery Bengaluru
Science Gallery Bengaluru (SGB) is a not-for-profit public institution for research-based engagement targeted at young adults working at the intersection of the human, natural, and social sciences, and engineering, art, and design. SGB’s public engagement model moves beyond participation, and towards proactive involvement through ever-changing research festivals anchored by interdisciplinary exhibitions, programmes, and public events consisting of research-based engagements led by artists and scholars from diverse backgrounds. SGB is established with the founding support of the Government of Karnataka and three academic partners—Indian Institute of Science, National Centre for Biological Sciences, and Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology.

In its mission of bringing science into a cultural conversation, Science Gallery Bengaluru has successfully hosted six exhibitions so far, with CARBON being the latest to have been held at SGB’s own building.

Science Gallery Bengaluru is a member of the Global Science Gallery Network pioneered by Trinity College with sister galleries in Atlanta, Dublin, London, Melbourne, and Monterrey.

About Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies
Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies is a grant-making organisation seeking to create and strengthen communities for their own betterment. RNPF does this by supporting ground-breaking work anchored in networks and movements and often sits at the intersection of Samaaj, Sarkaar, and Bazaar. RNPF focuses on emerging themes essential to an equitable and inclusive society, such as civic engagement, access to justice, gender equity, mental health and climate & biodiversity. RNPF is founded by Rohini Nilekani, a committed philanthropist, and currently, the Chairperson of the Foundation. Rohini and her husband, Nandan Nilekani, are signatories to the Giving Pledge, pledging to give away half of their wealth to philanthropy. To know more: www.rohininilekaniphilanthropies.org.

IE | Mansukh Madaviya inaugurates Centre for Brain and Mind at NIMHANS

The Centre for Brain and Mind was launched in collaboration with National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) with the contribution of Rs 100 crore from Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies.

National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) Bengaluru marked the World Mental Health Day 2023 Tuesday by unveiling three new facilities – Centre for Brain and Mind, Platinum Jubilee Auditorium and Academic Facility, and Administrative Office Complex. Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya virtually inaugurated these.

The Centre for Brain and Mind was launched in collaboration with National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) with the contribution of Rs 100 crore from Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies.

“This initiative builds upon the resources and repository generated by the Accelerator program for Discovery in Brain disorders using Stem cells (ADBS project), earlier funded by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India. The primary focus of the centre involves a comprehensive investigation into a large cohort of severely mentally ill patients including those diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, dementia, or addiction within families. Over the next two decades, the research will focus on understanding the causes, correlates, and courses of these disorders, along with exploring potential interventions and treatments,” release from NIMHANS stated.

The research will employ advanced techniques in imaging (with a dedicated MRI scanning facility), genetics, and stem cell biology. NIMHANS will play a pivotal role in the clinical assessments.

“A key highlight is the commitment to openness and collaboration, with the database and repository becoming open source. This move aims to maximize utilization by scientists globally, fostering advancements in brain and mind research. The centre also emphasizes public engagement and community outreach to ensure that research outputs are effectively communicated to patients and their families,” NIMHANS said.

Platinum Jubilee Auditorium and Academic Facility has been established at a cost of Rs 13.6 crore, in keeping with the substantial surge in the number of students and academic programs across various courses in psychiatry and allied specialties. To facilitate seamless coordination and enhance the efficiency of administrative operations, a new Administrative Office Complex has been constructed at a cost of 11.11 crore.

Indian Express

Press Release: NCBS Launches Rohini Nilekani Centre for Brain and Mind

An outcome of the INR 100 Crores grant given to NCBS and NIMHANS to further long-term
research and build capacity for both research and practice in the mental health field.

Bangalore, July 4, 2023 | The National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) announces the launch of the ‘Rohini Nilekani Centre for Brain and Mind’, a centre dedicated to advancing Indian research and practice pertaining to neurodevelopmental disorders and mental health. The centre will focus on the long-term examination of environmental and genetic factors involved in brain development which underlie severe mental illnesses.

Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson – Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, unveiled the plaque to mark the inauguration of ‘the Center for Brain and Mind’ today in the NCBS campus in Bengaluru. The guests present included Prof. K. VijayRaghavan – DAE Homi Bhabha Chair, NCBS-TIFR, Prof. Sanjeev Jain – Emeritus Professor, NIMHANS, Prof. Mahendra Rao – Former Collaborative Science Chair, inStem & CEO, Implant Therapeutics, and Prof. Maneesha Inamdar – Director inStem.

The centre will support research through its partnership with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) and NCBS’ therapeutic practices pertaining to five mental disorders: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, addiction, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and dementia – conditions considered neurodevelopmental in origin. The research work of the centre will combine the molecular biological research capabilities and technologies at NCBS with the stem cell capabilities established at the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem-DBT), an autonomous institution under the Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India. inStem has been and will continue to partner with NCBS on research activities, including that of the Accelerator program for Discovery in Brain disorders using Stem cells (ADBS).

Speaking about the centre, Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, said, “India has a significant number of people, around 193 million, dealing with mental illness. The proportional contribution of mental disorders to the total disease burden in India had almost doubled since 1990, and this calls for urgent attention. ‘The Centre for Brain and Mind’ will attempt to address this challenge by driving interdisciplinary research to understand the complexities of brain and mind conditions. More Research originating from India is critical at this juncture. The collaboration between NCBS and NIMHANS will provide globally relevant insights, evidence and pathways for better treatment for millions of people in India and the world. I hope medical practitioners, decision-makers and researchers will join the community and co-create success for this endeavour. “

Talking about the centre, Prof L. S. Shashidhara, Director, NCBS, said: “Improvements in human health and well-being have often been possible through the development of new technologies and their application to finding solutions for medical problems. We are at an opportune moment where recent advances in genomics, cell biology and stem cell technology offer an exciting opportunity for discovery science that can be applied to the problems of human mental illness. With the generous support of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies (RNP), NCBS looks forward to working with NIMHANS and other partners at ‘the Center for Brain and Mind’ to develop new solutions for the early diagnosis and better clinical management of mental illness. “

Commenting on the Centre, Dr Pratima Murthy, Director, NIMHANS, said: “It is a greater challenge to get research support for mental health as compared to physical disorders like cancer. NIMHANS, along with NCBS, has been carrying out research looking at shared and unique markers in severe mental illness. he generous funding provided by the Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies to NIMHANS and NCBS in order to establish ‘the Centre for Brain and Mind’ at both institutions is a great opportunity to further this research. This will enable us to look further into the common as well as distinctive biological (including genetic) and psychosocial underpinnings of disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, addictive disorders and dementia. We hope that with the help of the RNP, we will be able to help lakhs of people with severe mental diseases to eventually receive more effective interventions.”

Read the article in The Economic Times

Press Release: RNP Grants INR 100 Cr to NIMHANS & NCBS to Accelerate Research & Treatment of 5 Major Mental Health Disorders

The grant will support the establishment of the ‘Centre for Brain and Mind’, which will enable long-term research and practice to provide relief to patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, dementia, and addiction.

March 30, 2023 | Bangalore: Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies announces a grant of Rs. 100 Crores to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) and the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) to set up the ‘Centre for Brain and Mind’. The Centre will further cutting-edge research to understand the causes, correlates, and course of five major illnesses – schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, dementia, and addiction, and explore potential interventions and treatments for them.

Under this MoU, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies Foundation, founded by philanthropist Rohini Nilekani, will support the activities of the ‘Centre for Brain and Mind’ (CBM) for five years starting April 2023. Over five years, CBM will simultaneously pursue two tracks – long-term research and building capacity for both research and practice in the mental health field. Approximately 193 million people in India suffer from various forms of mental illness, and there is a need to find better ways of diagnosis and clinical management for many of these disorders. This multidisciplinary, inter-institutional partnership between NIMHANS and NCBS (with inStem) will contribute greatly to the broader field of mental health.

Commenting on the grant, Rohini Nilekani, Chairperson, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, said: Mental health is an area that demands more attention and support. The recent pandemic brought out this need even more starkly. Through this grant, I hope that a collaboration between two apex institutions of this country will provide globally relevant insights, evidence and pathways for better treatment for millions of people in India and the world. The Centre for Brain and Mind hopes to build an ecosystem for the larger community of mental health practitioners. Its research on five critical disorders, which will no doubt be pathbreaking, will be open-sourced to allow more innovation in both academics and practice. I wish the Centre all success and hope it becomes a global hub for sharing knowledge in the years to come.”

Since 2016, NIMHANS, along with NCBS and inStem, have been collaborating on a project (then supported by the Department of Biotechnology and Pratiksha Trust), to build a research platform for facilitating discovery of better solutions for mental illness. The research platform is now ready to drive discovery in this area and will be housed at the Centre for Brain and Mind, which will be co-located at NCBS and NIMHANS.

This new grant will strengthen the existing practices, allow the database and repository to become open source, and reach its potential of maximum utilisation by scientists all over the world. The capacity-building component of CBMs work will entail better methods of public engagement, as the Centre will do public facing interventions around severe mental illness to reduce stigma and enhance awareness. It will also devise actionable measures to address causes that lead to vulnerability in developing mental illness or ameliorate the progression of disease in those who have developed an illness. By developing a core group of clinician researchers and basic scientists skilled in critical technologies and novel methods, the Centre will also establish a pipeline of younger researchers to carry forward this long-term enquiry.

Speaking about the potential of this grant, Dr Pratima Murthy, Director, NIMHANS, said: “NIMHANS has been collaborating with NCBS and inStem to study a large number of families of patients with severe mental illnesses and generate a longitudinal cohort. The in-depth biological and clinical assessment of this cohort has immense potential for breakthrough discoveries, with implications in turn for translation into better care for persons with mental illnesses. We are delighted to house at NIMHANS the Centre for Brain and Mind, which will allow us to carry forward and expand this important research. We are thankful to Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies for supporting this important initiative that is long-term and visionary.”

Prof. LS Shashidhara, Director, NCBS-TIFR commented, “NCBS-TIFR, along with NIMHANS and inStem, has built a platform to facilitate discovery science that leads to better solutions for mental illness. The financial support from Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies will allow us to pursue long-term research on patients. This will allow insights into mental illness and how it develops and impacts brain function. Such understanding will enable the development of novel medicines. We are grateful to Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies for their generous grant to boost our research.”

An inaugural program for the Centre’s launch is being planned in the next few months.

About Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies Foundation:

Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies is a grant-making organisation seeking to create and strengthen communities for their own betterment. RNPF does this by supporting ground-breaking work anchored in networks and movements and often sit at the intersection of Samaaj, Sarkaar, and Bazaar. RNPF focuses on emerging themes essential to an equitable and inclusive society, such as civic engagement, access to justice, gender equity, mental health and climate & biodiversity. RNPF is founded by Rohini Nilekani, a committed philanthropist, and currently, the Chairperson of the Foundation. Rohini and her husband, Nandan Nilekani, are signatories to the Giving Pledge, pledging to give away half of their wealth to philanthropy. To know more: www.rohininilekaniphilanthropies.org.

Announcing the publication of Samaaj, Sarkaar, Bazaar – A Citizen-First Approach by Rohini Nilekani

An invitation to re-examine the role of an engaged and active Samaaj

Bengaluru, Thursday, July 21, 2022: This August will mark the publication of Samaaj, Sarkaar, Bazaar: A Citizen-First Approach by Rohini Nilekani, a leading philanthropist, journalist and writer. The book showcases Nilekani’s learnings from her civic engagement and philanthropy over three decades. She advocates that the quest for a good society begins with positioning Samaaj as the foundational sector in order to keep the state and markets accountable to the wider public interest.

Through Nilekani’s writings, speeches and interviews over several years, we see the evolution of her understanding of the societal landscape over this time. From her early work on the responsibilities of citizens, the issues within the justice system, and the challenges of sustainability to the potential offered by the digital age along with key takeaways from the Covid-19 pandemic, she discusses the intricate equilibrium between the state, society, and markets.

Rohini Nilekani has been associated with several civil society institutions over her thirty years of work in the civic space both through her giving and being a founding member of organisations such as Pratham Books, Arghyam and EkStep Foundation. She has had a long association with organisations such as Akshara Foundation and Ashoka Trust For Research In Ecology And The Environment (ATREE).

Talking about the intent of the book, Rohini Nilekani says, “A Samaaj-first philosophy has guided my civic involvement and personal philanthropy for the past three decades. This new book, Samaaj Sarkaar Bazaar: A Citizen-First Approach, is a distillation of my thoughts about the need for a dynamic balance between the three sectors of Society, State and Markets. This book is an invitation to thinkers, researchers, writers, civic leaders, and all citizens to join the important public discourse around the changing role of these three sectors. I also hope it energises citizens to rethink our role in creating an equitable and resilient society.”

The book will release on August 4, 2022, and will be available to purchase at select bookstores and e-commerce platforms. Any proceeds will go to the civil society organisations that Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies supports.

A self-published book, licensed under the Creative Commons, it will also be freely available on www.samaajsarkaarbazaar.in for readers to download and share.

Early praise for the book:

“What does it mean to have citizens first while navigating a dynamic balance between markets and state? Samaaj, Sarkaar and Bazaar is a compelling read that not only brings together Rohini Nilekani’s views on these three essential pillars but also provokes readers towards further thought and action.” – Rukmini Banerji – CEO, Pratham Education Foundation.

“Rohini Nilekani has made an enormous contribution over the last three decades to building and improving the quality of the social capital of the different communities, cities and states of our country. This was achieved through her widely admired activities such as author, columnist, social activism, philanthropy and each animated by her deep humanism. This collection of forty-three essays by her is truly a beautiful gem. I warmly recommend this book to all young and old working in India or abroad wishing to make a difference in how our world functions.” Vijay Kelkar – Chairman, India Development Foundation and Vice President, Pune International Centre.

Rohini Nilekani spotlights the lack of equilibrium between the state, society and sustainability which will spiral into a socio-economic catastrophe unless we the citizens demand better governance. A must-read for every concerned citizen who wants to challenge the status quo.” Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw – Executive Chairperson, Biocon & Biocon Biologics

About the author:

Rohini Nilekani is an author and philanthropist and has been a strong influence in the Indian social sector over the past three decades. Her philanthropic work spans different sectors of Indian civil society. She founded Arghyam, a foundation for sustainable water and sanitation, and co-founded Pratham Books, a non-profit enabling access to reading for millions of children. Currently, she is the Chairperson of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies and a Co-founder and Director of EkStep, a non-profit education platform. Rohini and her husband, Nandan Nilekani, are signatories to The Giving Pledge, pledging to give away half of their wealth to philanthropy.

Rohini’s first book, Stillborn, a medical thriller, and her second, Uncommon Ground, were published by Penguin Books India. She is also the author of 16 books for young children.

Three Patrol Vehicles Donated To Nagarahole For Conservation

Rohini Nilekani handed over three Tata Yodha patrol vehicles to Nagarahole Tiger Reserve Director Mahesh Kumar.

More: Star of Mysore

Video | Working with Young Men & Boys in India

In order to further engage with people on the topic of building a gender-equitable society, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies (RNP) has released this new video. The video showcases why it is important to include boys and men in gender work and features interviews with various individuals from around the world who are working towards this goal.

This project is part of RNP’s larger mission to promote awareness and create change around the issues that affect boys and young men.

More about RNP’s Approach to Building this Portfolio

Our National Mental Health Festival is Back!