In this conversation, Dr Rajesh Tandon, the founder of PRIA sits down with Nikita Rakhyani to revisit the journey of an organisation born out of a deep belief in people’s power to shape their own futures. Together, they reflect on PRIA’s early days, the ideas and values that defined its mandate, and the conviction that knowledge, democracy, and development must be rooted in participation. Dr Tandon shares why working with people has always been central to PRIA’s work, and how letting communities lead continues to be both a principle and a practice. A thoughtful look back at decades of learning, listening, and collective action.

Learn more about PRIA at www.pria.org or on Instagram @pria.india.

Grassroots Nation is a podcast from Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies. For more information go to www.rohininilekaniphilanthropies.org or join the conversation on social media @RNP_foundation.

Dr. Rajesh Tandon, founder of Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA), reflects on the ideas and experiences that shaped an organisation dedicated to democracy, civil society, and citizen participation. From his early academic journey—from IIT Kanpur and IIM Calcutta to a PhD at Case Western Reserve University—to a pivotal return to India during the Emergency, Dr. Tandon shares how witnessing the gap between institutional thinking and people’s lived realities transformed his approach to development. In conversation with Nikita Rakhyani, who leads New Initiatives at PRIA, this episode explores why meaningful participation, shared power, and letting communities lead remain essential to creating lasting change. Recorded at the PRIA office in New Delhi.

Grassroots Nation is a podcast from Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies. For more information go to www.rohininilekaniphilanthropies.org or join the conversation on social media @RNP_foundation.

A chance meeting, political upheaval, finding one’s community, falling in love: each of these has a profound impact on the course of one’s life. In this final episode of our miniseries, we hear from four of India’s most prominent social leaders about some of the early influences that shaped their careers.

This is a mini-series from Grassroots Nation that presents some of the key themes that have arisen in our conversations with some of India’s greatest social leaders. Each episode will explore a set of ideas: from watershed moments in India’s history that have left lasting impressions, to reflections on how their personal philosophies took shape and how they see their work contributing to the larger efforts of nation building.

This is the final episode in our miniseries, where we present important themes that have arisen in the conversations with the guests of Grassroots Nation. These episodes showcase what shaped their thinking, their relationships, and how small acts form the basis of collective action.

Featuring Maya Daruwalla, Aruna Roy, Bunker Roy, Ravi Chopra and Devaki Jain.

Grassroots Nation is a podcast from Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies. For more information go to www.rohininilekaniphilanthropies.org or join the conversation on social media @RNP_foundation.

Few will remember that in 1980 the average life span in India was 52 whereas now it’s 82.

It is thanks to the ingenuity, presence of mind and advocacy of India’s public health workers that India has made tremendous advances in the space of public health in the past few decades.

In this special episode you will hear from three doctors talk about the communities and cases that inspired their ground breaking work.

This is a mini-series from Grassroots Nation that presents some of the key themes that have arisen in our conversations with some of India’s greatest social leaders. Each episode will explore a set of ideas: from watershed moments in India’s history that have left lasting impressions, to reflections on how their personal philosophies took shape and how they see their work contributing to the larger efforts of nation building.

This is the fifth of six episodes that present important themes that have arisen in the conversations with the guests of Grassroots Nation. These episodes showcase what shaped their thinking, their relationships, and how small acts form the basis of collective action.

Featuring Dr. H.D Sudarshan, Dr Armida Fernandes, Dr Abhay Bhang, Mari Marcel Thekaekara and Dr Rukmini Banjerji.

Grassroots Nation is a podcast from Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies. For more information go to www.rohininilekaniphilanthropies.org or join the conversation on social media @RNP_foundation.

A lifetime devoted to public service demands a certain kind of mental fortitude--it’s a fundamental requirement to keep up the drive and the belief in the possibility for positive change.

In this special episode you will hear some of India’s most inspiring social leaders talk about the spiritual and religious influences to the activities and pastimes that have helped them stay motivated and inspired.

This is a mini-series from Grassroots Nation that presents some of the key themes that have arisen in our conversations with some of India’s greatest social leaders. Each episode will explore a set of ideas: from watershed moments in India’s history that have left lasting impressions, to reflections on how their personal philosophies took shape and how they see their work contributing to the larger efforts of nation building.

This is the fourth of six episodes that present important themes that have arisen in the conversations with the guests of Grassroots Nation. These episodes showcase what shaped their thinking, their relationships, and how small acts form the basis of collective action.

Listen to Dr. H. Sudarshan, Dr AL Fernandes and Professor Madhav Gadgil speak of the spiritual practices and activities that keep them grounded.

Grassroots Nation is a podcast from Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies. For more information go to www.rohininilekaniphilanthropies.org or join the conversation on social media @RNP_foundation.

India’s environmental movement is unique because of its deep connection to social justice, indigenous rights, and grassroots activism. Unlike purely conservation-focused movements, many Indian efforts combine scientific inquiry, strong legislation with the protection of livelihoods and local cultures. It is a widely held view that conservation must work in harmony with the needs of local communities.

India’s conservation efforts do face huge challenges due to rapid industrialization, infrastructure development, and conflicts with local communities. Scientific and social leadership in conservation has also strongly advocated an approach to ecology, equity, and social justice and this is what sets India’s environmental movement apart globally. In this episode, we hear from some of its stalwarts.

Featuring the voices of Professor Madhav Gadgil, Dr Ravi Chopra, Dr Yellappa Reddy, Dr Kamal Bawa.

This is a mini series from Grassroots Nation that presents some of the key themes that have arisen in our conversations with some of India’s greatest social leaders. Each episode will explore a set of ideas: from watershed moments in India’s history that have left lasting impressions, to reflections on how their personal philosophies took shape and how they see their work contributing to the larger efforts of nation building.

This is the third of six episodes that present important themes that have arisen in the conversations with the guests of Grassroots Nation. These episodes showcase what shaped their thinking, their relationships, and how small acts form the basis of collective action.

Grassroots Nation is a podcast from Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies. For more information go to www.rohininilekaniphilanthropies.org or join the conversation on social media @RNP_foundation.

This is a mini series from Grassroots Nation that presents some of the key themes that have arisen in our conversations with some of India’s greatest social leaders. Each episode will explore a set of ideas: from watershed moments in India’s history that have left lasting impressions, to reflections on how their personal philosophies took shape and how they see their work contributing to the larger efforts of nation building.

Today, in this second episode, the importance of institution building. Leaders bring with themselves a passion, a determination that translates into action; institutions strengthen these foundations, building for resilience and scale. Many of India’s most significant leaders in the social sector have been architects of systems, instilling them with values and cultures that take isolated efforts and transform them movements capable of addressing complex social challenges over the long term. But it all starts with an idea, a vision, a mission.

Featuring the voices of Ashok Khosla, Darshan Shanker, Stan Thekaekara, Maja Daruwala and Bunker Roy.

Grassroots Nation is a podcast from Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies. For more information go to www.rohininilekaniphilanthropies.org or join the conversation on social media @RNP_foundation.

This is the first of a mini series from Grassroots Nation that presents some of the key themes that have arisen in our conversations with some of India’s greatest social leaders. Each episode will explore a set of ideas: from watershed moments in India’s history that have left lasting impressions, to reflections on how their personal philosophies took shape and how they see their work contributing to the larger efforts of nation building.

In this first episode: we hear first-hand accounts from leaders who witnessed some of India’s most important historical events and moments. From the violent rupture of partition to the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to the Bangladesh War that left a devastating famine and refugee crisis in its wake to the horrific rape of Bhanwari Devi, each of these events left a profound impact on these social leaders and informed the course their life and work took.

Featuring the voices of Dr Kamal Bawa, Aloysius Fernandez, Aruna Roy, Ravi Chopra, and Ashok Khosla.

Grassroots Nation is a podcast from Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies. For more information go to www.rohininilekaniphilanthropies.org or join the conversation on social media @RNP_foundation.

Ananthapadmanabhan Guruswamy has been at the helm of many institutions in India. Before earning a B.Tech in electrical engineering from IIT, Chennai, Ananth’s early inspirations and explorations in education led him to teach and be associated with the Krishnamurti Foundation India in Chennai, where he taught at the school for 11 years. He then led Teacher Education at the Azim Premji Foundation, was the CEO of Greenpeace India before becoming Greenpeace International’s International Program Director, and CEO of Amnesty International in India. He subsequently helped set up and grew the Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives as its CEO.

In recent years Ananth has worked with and mentored many next generation leaders in the social sector, resulting in newer organizations such as Socratus Foundation and Welive Foundation.

All of Ananth’s work has been driven by a deep curiosity in understanding the world we live in, and in finding ways to better humanity by helping others, solving for problems and building communities.

In this episode, Ananth is in conversation with his longtime colleague and friend, Divya Raghunandan. This conversation was recorded in Bengaluru.

Dr Abhay and Rani Bang both grew up in families with deep roots in public service. Dr. Abhay Bang’s parents were followers of the Sarvodaya movement and were deeply inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. In fact, he grew up in the Mahatma’s Sevagram ashram in Wardha Maharashtra. Rani Bang, born Rani Chari, was born into a family of politicians and freedom fighters. The couple met at Nagpur University, where they both completed their MBBS medical degrees, and obtained their MDs before getting their Masters in Public Health from John Hopkins University in the United States.

The Bangs have always been committed to a life of service. After their studies, they returned to India to work in Gadchiroli, founding SEARCH, the Society for Education, Action and Research in Community Health in 1985, where for nearly forty years, they have transformed health care and service.

In this episode you will hear about how SEARCH has not only contributed to the community in Gadchiroli but has also contributed to global medical standards of practice and research. Their work on infant and maternal mortality, non-communicable diseases, malaria, women's health and so many other areas of medicine is highly cited and recognised.

Through their work they have consistently demonstrated that it is possible to live in rural India and do high impact work, transforming lives on the ground while producing research of the highest level. Their publications and studies have been regularly recognized by international journals like Lancet setting global standards for medical practice. Even the WHO follows the standards prescribed by their work.

They have received innumerable awards and commendations, from the Maharashtra Bhushan Award, Stree Shakti Puruskar, the Macarthur Foundation International Award and the Padma Shri in 2018. They have been honored for their service to public health the world over. Abhay and Rani Bang have also been members of various state and national level committees for health and economics.

This interview is conducted by Suchitra Shenoy, a non-fiction writer who has worked extensively in the social sector.

Additional audio:

Landless peasants' struggle for Bhudaan land in Nawada, Bihar 16 August2017 by CPIML LIBERATION CC BY 3.0

Dr. Abhay Bang Leading Prayer by SEARCH for Health

तारुण्यभान: लैंगिकतेविषयी न बोलल्या जाणार्‍या प्रश्नांचा उलगडा | Dr. Rani Bang | Sex Education by NIRMAN For Youth