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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" Offering services in areas of panchayati raj, rural development, women empowerment, youth development and other allied fields of rural India for two decades by AGRASRI is appreciable. "
DR (MRS) TAMILISAI SOUNDARARAJAN
Her Excellency, the Governor of Telangana, Hyderabad, 23 October, 2020.
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" It is commendable that Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India has been offering various services in the areas of Panchayati Raj, Rural Development. "
SHRI ARIF MOHAMMAD KHAN
His Excellency, the Governor of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, 06 October, 2020.
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" The father of our Nation, Shri Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi had once said that the soul of India lives in its villages. "
SMT. REKHA SHARMA
Chairperson, National Commission for Women, New Delhi, 08 October, 2020.
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" I congratulate Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India (AGRASRI), Tirupati for conducting Symposium on Gram Swaraj and 75 Years of Rural India. "
SHRI BANDARU DATTATRAYA
His Excellency, the Governor of Haryana, Chandigarh, 17 June, 2022.
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" AGRASRI National Seminar is essential for addressing critical issues surrounding the role of women in decision-making processes across various levels of governance. "
ANANDIBEN PATEL
Her Excellency, the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, 26 September, 2024.
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Announcements
Inviting Nominations for the Neelam Sanjiva Reddy State Awards
Inviting Nominations for the Rajiv Gandhi National Awards
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. SENIOR VISITING FELLOWS
The following senior administrators and scholars have been associated with the Academy, as Hon. Senior Visiting Fellows of AGRASRI.
PROF. G. SREEDHARRector (Retd.), Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh
Prof. G. Sreedhar is formerly Rector and Professor of Rural Development (Retd.) at Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. He had a long stint of about 13 years in the University administration in various capacities such as Rector, Registrar, Dean of Social Sciences, Director, Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, Director of Internal Quality Assurance Cell, and Head, Department of Rural Development.
He has guided and supervised 20 Ph.D. scholars and 5 M.Phil. scholars in the fields of Rural Development and Social Work. His areas of specialisation include Rural Project Planning and Management, Micro Finance, Self-Help Promotion, Women Empowerment, Natural Resources Management, Micro-Irrigation and Rural Credit.
Prof. Sreedhar has published 4 books and 24 research articles in reputed journals. He is an accomplished trainer in Self-Help Group promotion and capacity building for NGO functionaries.
He has also undertaken several consulting assignments for National and International Agencies in the areas of Rural Development, Social Inclusion and Community Empowerment.
Prof. G. Sreedhar is the Hon. Senior Visiting Fellow of the Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India from 2024 onwards.
DR. GEORGE V. THOMAS
Director (Retd.), ICAR - Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasargod, Kerala
Dr. George V. Thomas is formerly Director, ICAR - Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasargod, Kerala. In his pioneering research career spanning 36 years on plantation crops, he worked extensively on basic and applied aspects of soil microbiology and on-farm biomass residue recycling. His research highlighted the potential of microorganisms and organic farming technologies in maintaining soil health and fertility, leading to sustainable improvement in crop productivity.
He received the prestigious ICAR Outstanding Team Research Award in Horticulture for the biennium 2005-06 for his work on creating wealth from coconut biomass waste. He served as Head, Crop Production Division and Project Coordinator (Palms) at CPCRI; President, Indian Society of Plantation Crops; Editor, Journal of Plantation Crops (2001-2006); and Director, Council for Food Research and Development, Government of Kerala.
He has to his credit more than 200 research publications and book chapters and has edited 10 books. In July 2012, Dr. Thomas was selected as Chairman of the International Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT) under Bioversity International.
Dr. George V. Thomas is the Hon. Senior Visiting Fellow of the Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India from 2024 onwards.
Agriculture Scientist and President, RICAREA (Retired ICAR Employees Association), Hyderabad
Prof. P.S.P.V. Vidya Sagar is a well-known Agricultural Scientist and Consultant who has worked on a variety of field and plantation crop-related issues for more than four decades in India and abroad. He served as Chair Professor, Date Palm Research Unit, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2009.
He developed the Chair into one of the finest research centres with a strong research programme and guided its activities for nearly four and a half years. His efforts resulted in several collaborations and attracted funding through four national projects with a combined budget exceeding US$ 2.3 million. He was also associated as Consulting Professor with one of the largest date farms in Saudi Arabia for several years.
Prof. Vidya Sagar also worked in the Seed Industry as Director and played a key role in the successful release of two Bt Cotton varieties by the company. He has published over 120 research articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and participated in numerous national and international conferences.
He was elected as Fellow of the Indian Society for Plantation Crops (FISPC) in 2004. He serves as Editor and Editorial Board Member of several reputed journals in India and abroad. At present, he is the President of RICAREA (Retired ICAR Employees Association), Hyderabad.
Prof. P.S.P.V. Vidya Sagar is the Hon. Senior Visiting Fellow of the Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India from 2024 onwards.
Hon. Professor, Mahatma Gandhi Rural Development and Panchayati Raj University, Gadag
Prof. M. Devendra Babu is Honorary Professor at the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Development and Panchayati Raj University, Gadag, Karnataka. He has been Professor and Head, Centre for Decentralisation and Development at the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bengaluru.
Prof. M. Devendra Babu has completed several research projects on decentralised governance and decentralised planning. He has published a large number of books and research papers on Decentralised Governance, Grama Sabha and District Development Plans.
His areas of specialisation include Decentralisation, Rural Development and Public Economics. He is associated with the Government of Karnataka, various Universities and Civil Society Organisations as an Expert and Resource Person.
He has prepared comprehensive District Plans and Human Development Reports for several Zilla Parishads in Karnataka on behalf of the Government of Karnataka. He has visited many Gram Panchayats across South India and reviewed the functioning of Grama Sabhas and Gram Sachivalayas.
Prof. M. Devendra Babu is the Hon. Senior Visiting Fellow of the Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India from 2021 onwards.
Professor (Retd.), National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Hyderabad
Prof. Chandra Sekhar Singhal is Professor (Retd.) at the Centre for P.G. Studies and Distance Education, National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), Government of India, Hyderabad. He has served as Senior Fellow at NCERT, New Delhi; Faculty Member at the National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development, Government of India, New Delhi; and Haryana Institute of Rural Development, Government of Haryana, Nilokheri.
He is a professional trainer at National and International levels with specialisations in Organisational Behaviour, Human Resource Management, Gender and Development, Rural Development, Leadership and Motivation.
He has attended several Executive Development Programmes at the Asian Institute of Management, Manila; Birmingham University, United Kingdom; and Kasetsart University, Bangkok.
Over a period of 30 years of teaching and research experience, Prof. Singhal has organised nearly 300 Executive Development Programmes through training programmes, seminars and workshops.
As a senior faculty member at NIRDPR, he developed and coordinated the two-year full-time PG Diploma in Development (Rural Development), PG Distance Education Programmes in Sustainable Rural Development, Tribal Development, Geo-Spatial Applications in Rural Development and Certificate Programmes in Panchayati Raj.
He has published nearly 45 books, book chapters and research articles, and handled 20 consultancy projects as Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator. After his superannuation from NIRDPR, he has served as Senior Consultant to various Government of India institutions and organisations.
Prof. Chandra Sekhar Singhal is the Hon. Senior Visiting Fellow of the Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India from 2024 onwards.