Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement (GRAAM) proudly celebrated its Decennial milestone on 24th October 2024, marking ten years of impactful work in sustainable development, policy engagement, and community empowerment across India. The event was an enriching gathering that brought together notable leaders, development professionals, and stakeholders to reflect on GRAAM’s journey and explore future directions in development.
The event commenced with a panel discussion titled “CSR-CSO Partnership: What Should Each Side Appreciate About the Other?” This insightful session featured prominent voices from the fields of corporate social responsibility and civil society, emphasizing the critical need for mutual understanding and collaboration. The panel included distinguished speakers such as Shri. Nirbhay Lumde, Senior Vice President – ESG & Sustainability, and Shri. Gopinath, Executive Director of Dhwani Foundation. Following this, a fireside chat titled “The Changing Philanthropic Landscape in India: Is It Advantageous for NPOs and India’s Development?” took place. This engaging dialogue explored the evolving philanthropic ecosystem and offered valuable perspectives on how non-profit organizations can adapt and benefit from these changes to foster India’s development. Esteemed speakers included Shri. Amit Chandra, Co-Founder of A.T.E. Chandra Foundation and Chairperson of Bain Capital India Advisors, and Shri Arjun Ranga, Chairperson of GRAAM’s Board of Trustees and Managing Director of Rangarao and Sons, with moderation by Dr. Basavaraju R. Shreshta, Executive Director of GRAAM.
Another significant highlight of the evening was the launch of three new books (मैं, एक नागरिक (Mein Ek Nagarik – [Hindi], जनमानस की आवाज (Janmanas ki Awaz – [Hindi] and ಅಭಿವೃದ್ದಿಯ ಕಥೆಗಳು (Abhivrudhi Kathegalu – [Kannada]) authored by Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, founder of GRAAM. These works encapsulate GRAAM’s core philosophy and underscore its decade-long dedication to grassroots development and policy advocacy. He was present and highlighted the insights from the books. His foresighted words not only illuminated the essence of the books but also paved a path toward nation-building with a bright and inspiring vision. He currently serves as a member of the Capacity Building Commission, Government of India. The occasion was also graced by a distinguished lineup of dignitaries, including Dr. Sanjiv Kumar, IAS (Retd), Member of the Central Administrative Tribunal, Bengaluru Bench, and Former Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka; Shri Amit Chandra, Co-Founder of A.T.E. Chandra Foundation and Chairperson of Bain Capital India Advisors; and Dr. M.P. Shyam, President of the Rashtreeya Sikshana Samithi Trust, Bengaluru. The event was chaired by Shri Arjun Ranga, Chairperson of GRAAM’s Board of Trustees.
The Decennial Celebration was a platform for GRAAM to showcase its achievements while setting the stage for future strategies to promote inclusive, community-driven development. With insights shared by prominent speakers and experts, the event reaffirmed GRAAM’s commitment to bridging policy and practice for grassroots impact.
In conclusion, GRAAM’s Decennial event highlighted the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders in addressing pressing development challenges. Reflections on past achievements, paired with discussions about future opportunities, aligned seamlessly with the organization’s mission of advancing evidence-based advocacy and community empowerment. The celebration of accomplishments and milestones not only inspired attendees but also encouraged the GRAAM family to draw motivation from this remarkable ten-year journey and strive toward an even more impactful future, building towards a flourishing “Ton.”
Watch the GRAAM Decennial Celebration Event :-
https://www.youtube.com/live/OOhRT1nllCI?si=Lnj1cET9ndgkum8E
