Organisation
Testimonial
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" AGRASRI is a unique Academy in the field of grassroots studies and governance, which provides a bridge between the elected representatives "
DR. MANMOHAN SINGH
Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Former Prime Minister of India, New Delhi, 27 July, 2016.
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" I am glad that the Inaugural issue of The Grassroots Governance Journal is doing well in all respects. "
SHRI INDER KUMAR GUJRAL
Former Prime Minister of India, New Delhi,
October 21, 2003.
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" I hope that The Grassroots Governance Journal would go a long way so as to create an intellectual environment which would develop grassroots democratic institutions in contemporary rural India. "
SHRI RABI RAY
Former Speaker of Lok Sabha, New Delhi, October 23, 2003
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" I have gone through with interest the CV and Progress Report of AGRASRI and am appreciative of your efforts. "
SHRI T.N. CHATURVEDI
H.E., the then Governor of Karnataka and Chairman, Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi, March 12, 2007.
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" All the best for your future activities. Excellent Rajiv Gandhi Birthday function. Wish you all success. "
SHRI RAMESHWAR THAKUR
H.E., the then Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad, August 20, 2006.
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" I am very happy to be here and attend the function of presentation of awards. They are doing great job. "
SHRI R. L. BHATIA
H.E., the then Governor of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, August 20, 2007.
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" I compliment the initiatives of the Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India, in association with the Rajiv Rural Development Foundation, "
SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE
Hon’ble the then Speaker of Lok Sabha, New Delhi,
August 16, 2004.
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" I have known Dr. Sundar Ram since the establishment of the Academy and have been deeply impressed by the way in which "
SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR
Hon’ble the then Union Minister for Panchayati Raj, Youth Affairs & Sports and Development of North-East Region
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" I have known Dr. D. Sundar Ram, Founder and Director of the Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India (AGRASRI) since the last several years. "
PROF. M.S. SWAMINATHAN
Founder Chairman, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai, March 9, 2007.
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" It was a great privilege to receive this great honour bestowed by this great Academy. The movement for ‘decentralised governance’ that has been landed is bound to succeed. "
DR. R. A. MASHELKAR
CSIR Bhatnagar Fellow, National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, August 20, 2007.
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" It was a great pleasure to participate in the convention organised by AGRASRI "
DR. C. RANGARAJAN
The then Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to Prime Minister of India, New Delhi, August 20, 2008.
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" As the Chief Organiser of Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Lecture and Rajiv Gandhi National Awards programmes every year, "
DR. SUBHASH C. KASHYAP
Former Secretary-General of Lok Sabha,
New Delhi, February 25, 2009
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" I feel happy that this country’s democracy needs the kind of work AGRASRI is undertaking.. "
SHRI JUSTICE V.R. KRISHNA IYER
Former Judge, Supreme Court of India, New Delhi,
February 26, 2009.
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" It is a matter of great satisfaction that the Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India has an outstanding record of training, "
SHRI SALMAN KHURSHID
Hon’ble the then Union Minister for Law and Justice,
Govt. of India, New Delhi, 2 February, 2012
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" Organisations like AGRASRI can play a truly important role in supplementing governmental "
DR. N.N. VOHRA
His Excellency, the then Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Jammu, 15 February, 2012.
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" I enjoyed the award function and thankful to Rajiv Gandhi Rural Development Foundation and Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India at Tirupati for the nice gesture. "
DR.G. MADHAVAN NAIR
The then Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation, Bangalore, August 20, 2009
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" Very good and dedicating work is being carried on by the Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India. "
DR.BAL RAM JAKHAR
Former Speaker of Lok Sabha, Former Governor, Former Union Agriculture Minister, New Delhi, 20 August, 2012
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" I appreciate the work done by the Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India "
PROF. SUKHADEO K. THORAT
The then Chairman, Indian Council of Social Science Research and Former Chairman, University Grants Commission, New Delhi, 20 August, 2014.
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" It is a privilege to be here in the midst of doers at the grassroots level. "
DR. RAJENDRA KUMAR PACHAURI
Noble Laureate in Peace and World renowned Environmentalist, New Delhi, 20 August, 2015.
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" AGRASRI is unique organisation with noble objectives and innovative approach. The approach of AGRASRI is commendable. "
PROF. V. R. PANCHAMUKHI
Former Chairman, Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi, 20 August, 2015
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" The Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India is an autonomous, independent and non-political organisation and "
DR. HARSH VARDHAN
Hon’ble Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, New Delhi, 8 August, 2016.
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Announcements
Inviting Nominations for the Rajiv Gandhi National Awards-2020
Inviting Nominations for the Chittoor District Centenary Awards-2020.
Activities
Contact Us
DR. D. SUNDAR RAM
Founder and Director
Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India (AGRASRI)
# Plot No.11, Sri Venkata Sai Nilayam
Thummalagunta, S.V. University P.O.
Tirupati-517502, Andhra Pradesh. India
Mobile: +91-6302947338, +91-9441245085
E.mail: drsundarram@gmail.com | agrasridirector@gmail.com
Website: www.agrasri.org.in
HON. BOARD OF GOVERNORS
The Academy is governed by (a) General Body, (b) Board of Governors and (c) Executive Council. The Academy is ably guided and supported by the Hon. Board of Advisers, Research Council and Organising Committee, in academic matters concerning research, training, education and advocacy.
The AGRASRI policy is determined by a 9 Member- Hon. Board of Governors. Dr. Justice G. Yethirajulu, an eminent Jurist and Former Chairman, Andhra Pradesh State Administrative Tribunal and Former Judge, High Court of Andhra Pradesh, is the Chairman of the Hon. Board of Governors. It comprises of the Chairman, Director & Member-Secretary and 7 other Members.
The following is the composition of the Hon. Board of Governors of AGRASRI.
Chairman
DR. JUSTICE G. YETHIRAJULUFormer Chairman, Andhra Pradesh Administrative Tribunal, Govt. of AP, Hyderabad
Dr. Justice G. Yethirajulu is former Chairman, Andhra Pradesh Administrative Tribunal, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh and former Judge, Andhra Pradesh High Court, Hyderabad. He enrolled himself as Advocate from Andhra Pradesh Bar Council and practiced in all branches of Law for a decade. As the Chairman of AP Administrative Tribunal, he has disposed of 65,000 cases pending in the Tribunal (cases pending from 1998 to 2012) which is a record disposal in the history of AP Administrative Tribunal. As Director of AP Judicial Academy, intensive training was imparted to all levels of Trial Court Judges who are working at the grassroots level and made them more conversant and efficient to deal with the cases by improving the quality of judgments.
He is a prolific author of articles on legal aspects published in reputed law journals and participated in Jurists Conferences in India and abroad. He has served as Registrar-General of Andhra Pradesh High Court and brought many administrative reforms in the courts of Andhra Pradesh. He worked as Head of the Inspecting Team of Bar Council of India, New Delhi. Established a Charitable Trust in the name of his late father and organised many social events for immense benefit of poor people in Srikakulam District. Presently, he is the Secretary-General of the Association of Former Judges of High Court of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana State.
Dr. Justice G. Yethirajulu is the Member of the Board of Governors, Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India from 2024 onwards.
Members
DR. MANDALI BUDDHA PRASADHon’ble MLA and Former Deputy Sepaker of AP Legislative Assembly, Amaravathi
Dr. Mandali Buddha Prasad is Hon’ble Member of Legislative Assembly and former Deputy Speaker of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly and Former Cabinet Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh. He has served as the Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Official Language Commission, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh with distinction and remarkable achievements for the progress and development of mother language Telugu at the state, national and international levels. He is the Honorary President of the Krishna District Writers Association. In this capacity, he conducted The World Telugu Writers Conferences at Vijayawada in the year 2007 and 2014 on a grand scale. He is a founder Member of ‘Telugu Bhashodyama Samakhya’.
As a custodian of Telugu language and culture, he is maintaining excellent relations with Telugu people settled in other States of India and abroad and striving to resolve their educational and cultural problems and acting like a bridge between them and the Government. Due t o his tire-less efforts and the inclinched evidences provided by the scholars, Telugu is recognised as an ancient language by the Government of India in 2008. Dr. Buddha Prasad is the Member of the Board of Governors, Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India from 2024 onwards.
SHRI JUSTICE D. SUBRAHMANYAM
Former Chairman, AP Commission for Backward Classes, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad
Sri Justice Dalava Subrahmanyam is former Judge, Andhra Pradesh High Court and former Chairman, AP Commission for Backward Classes, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad. He joined as an apprentice in the Office of Shri K.K. Venugopal, the then Advocate, Madras, former Attorney-General of India. As Andhra Pradesh High Court Judge, Justice Subrahmanyam has delivered some landmark judgments on matters of national importance. As Chairman of the Legal Services Authority, he has conducted several Lok Adalats and settled a large number of cases. During his tenure as Chairman of the AP Commission for Backward Classes, Shri Justice Subrahmanyam has identified certain communities/classes which are socially and economically backward and sent recommendations for inclusion of those castes/classes in the List of Backward Classes in the State of Andhra Pradesh. Since 2012, Shri Justice Subrahmanyam has settled a large number of cases pending in the High Court of Chennai, as Member of the Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority, Chennai.
Shri Justice D. Subrahmanyam is the Member of the Board of Governors of the Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India from 2017 onwards.
SHRI JUSTICE P.S. NARAYANA
Former Judge, Andhra Pradesh High Court, Hyderabad
Shri Justice Pemmasani Sankara Narayana
popularly known as Justice P.S. Narayana, is former Judge, Andhra Pradesh High Court, Hyderabad. Apart from his judicial career, he had worked as Chief Editor of Andhra Weekly Reporter and also Andhra Law Times (Criminal) for some time and he was also the Honorary Editor of Andhra Law times. He had delivered several lectures relating to different aspects at AP Judicial Academy and also at different academic institutions on their invitation. In a rare feat, Shri Justice Narayana wrote 100 books pertaining to law and stood on the threshold entering the popular Limca Book of Records for second time. He has been actively delivering several lectures on a plethora of topics relating to Law in various Universities and in certain other academic institutions on invitation. Presently, Shri Justice Narayana is the Member, Mahadayi River Water Dispute Tribunal, Ministry of Water Resources, Govt. of India, New Delhi.
Shri Justice P.S. Narayana is the Member of the Board of Governors of the Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India from 2017 onwards.
DR. TRIPURANENI HANUMAN CHOWDHARY
Former IT Adviser to Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad
Dr. Tripuraneni Hanuman Chowdhary, popularly known as Dr.T.H. Chowdhary, is Founder of the Center for Telecommunications Management and Studies (CTMS) and Chairman of Pragna Bharathi of Andhra Pradesh. He was the first and founding Chairman and Managing Director of Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL), India’s International Telecommunications Corporation. He has been the Advisor to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and IT Advisor to the Government of AP. He was the man who initiated the restructuring of the Dept. of Telecommunications (DoT), first by its separation from the Posts and constituting the operations into corporations. He drafted the National Telecom Policy (NTP) as early as in 1989, and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Bill, which has become the basis for the final TRAI Act.
He is the popular author of several books and writes extensively in the national and international newspapers and professional journals. He has received Padma Shri, the 4th highest civilian award in India, who had contributed to the telecom revolution and IT development in India in 2017.
Dr. Tripuraneni Hanuman Chowdhary is the Member of the Board of Governors of the Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India from 2021 onwards.
DR. R. A. PADMANABHA RAO
Former Additional Director-General, Doordarshan, Govt. of India
Dr. R.A. Padmanabha Rao , is Additional Director-General (Retd.), Doordarsan, Govt. of India, New Delhi. He has served as Station Director of All India Radio at Vijayawada and New Delhi and Co-ordinator of SV Bhakti Channel, TTD, Tirupati. He is a prolific author, commentator, analyst and moderator. He has published a large number of Books and Articles on various themes of relevance. He was Member of the Regional Film Censor Board: 2009-2014, Hyderabad and Jury Member of the UNICEF Awards-2010. He has performed more than 150 Ashtavadhanams in different places of the country. He received many literacy awards include the Best Translation Award from the Central Sahithya Academi, New Delhi in 2000; Telugu University, Hyderabad in 1993. Dr. Padmanabha Rao is associating with many Universities and Research Institutions as Guest Faculty Member and Expert.
Dr. R.A. Padmanabha Rao is the Member of the Board of Governors of the Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India from 2021 onwards.
PROF. M. GOPINATH REDDY
Senior Research Consultant, Centre for Economic and Social Studies, Hyderabad
Prof. M. Gopinath Reddy , is Senior Research Consultant at the Centre for Economic and Social Studies and he has been Professor and Head, Division for Sustainable Development Studies, Centre for Economic and Social Studies, Hyderabad. Prof. Gopinath Reddy is a prolific author and researcher in Political Science and Natural Resource Management. His areas of Specialisations are: Decentralised Governance, Institutions and Natural Resource Management, Governance, Poverty Reduction Strategies. He has published a large number of books, research papers and monographs on decentralised governance, livelihood security, sustainable development, watershed management, gram sabha and resettlement and rehabilitation.
He is associated with many Universities, Research Institutes and Training Institutes as expert and resource person. He has completed several research projects on local governance and sustainable development, funded by the World Bank, UNDP and ICSSR. He has guided a number of Ph. D. and M.Phil scholars. Prof. Gopinath Reddy is the Project Director of many prestigious research projects on Panchayati Raj and Rural Development.
Prof. M. Gopinath Reddy is Member of the Board of Governors, Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India from 2024 onwards.
MRS. D. BHARATHI SUNDAR
Social Activist and Co-founder, AGRASRI, Tirupati
Mrs. D. Bharathi is a social activist and Co-founder of the Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India, Tirupati. Mrs. Bharathi Sundar is a source of inspiration and backbone of the multi-dimensional activities of the Academy over a period of 2 decades. She is strongly proliferating to implement the provisions of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act towards the devolution of 3 F’s- Functions, Functionaries and Finances- to the Gram Panchayats for delivering good governance at the grassroots since the inception of AGRASRI. As Co-founder of AGRASRI, Mrs. Bharathi Sundar is playing very significant role in organising numerous National Seminars/ Conferences/ Workshops, for elected representatives of PRI’s and Women activists at the national, state, regional and district levels.
She is associated with many Self-Help Groups and Grassroots level organisations for improving the capacity building for their livelihood and social development.
Mrs. D. Bharathi Sundar is the Member of the Board of Governorsof the Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India since 2002 onwards.
Member-Secretary-cum-Director
DR. D. SUNDAR RAMFormerly ICSSR Senior Fellow, SV University, Tirupati
Dr. D. Sundar Ram is Founder and Director of the Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India, Tirupati; Editor, The Grassroots Governance Journal (TGGJ), Tirupati and Consulting Editor, The American Biographical Institute (ABI), United States of America. He was the Doctoral Fellow and Post-Doctoral Fellow (UGC Research Associate) in Political Science and Public Administration at Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati; Parliamentary Fellow at the Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies, New Delhi; Associate Professor and Head, Post-Graduate Department of Public Administration at S.S. & N. College PG Centre (Acharya Nagarjuna University), Narasaraopet, Guntur District (A.P). He is a prolific writer, author, researcher and analyst.
He has written extensively on Indian governance and polity, parliamentary studies, electoral reforms, Andhra Pradesh State politics, decentralisation, federalism and good governance, with over 25 books, 153 research papers and 32 talks in All India Radio to his credit. He was selected as ICSSR Senior Fellow by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Ministry of Education, Govt. of India, for 2 Years tenure, with the affiliation of Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati in 2017 February and successfully completed the Senior Fellowship assignment in 2019 January.
Dr. D. Sundar Ram is the Member-Secretary-cum-Director of the Board of Governors of the Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India since 2002 onwards.