Rohini Nilekani, born in 1960, is an acclaimed Indian author, journalist, and philanthropist known for her transformative contributions to education, water sustainability, healthcare, and governance. Her work has played a crucial role in shaping civil society in India. Through her various initiatives and philanthropic efforts, she has consistently advocated for equitable resource distribution, literacy, and sustainable development.
“We cannot imagine democracies without a vibrant civil society.” – Rohini Nilekani
Early Life and Education
Raised in a middle-class family in Mumbai, Rohini was deeply influenced by her family’s emphasis on education and social responsibility. Her father was an engineer, and her mother was a homemaker. She pursued a degree in French literature from Elphinstone College, Mumbai, where she developed a passion for storytelling and social issues.
It was during her college years, in 1977, that she met Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys, at a quiz competition. Their intellectual camaraderie blossomed into a lifelong partnership, and they married in 1981. The couple has two children, Janhavi and Nihar Nilekani.
Career in Journalism and Literature
Rohini began her professional journey in journalism during the early 1980s, writing for renowned publications such as Bombay Magazine, Sunday Magazine, The Times of India, India Today, and Mint. Her investigative acumen and sharp storytelling skills helped her gain a deep understanding of societal challenges.
Her literary career took flight in 1998 with the publication of her medical thriller, Stillborn, published by Penguin India. She later ventured into non-fiction writing with Uncommon Ground (2011), a book based on her television series of the same name. This series facilitated crucial dialogues between business leaders and social activists, bridging the gap between corporate interests and social responsibility.
In addition to writing for adults, Rohini is also a children’s book author. She co-founded Pratham Books in 2004, a non-profit organization that has published affordable books in multiple Indian languages, ensuring that children across India have access to quality reading material.
Philanthropic Contributions
1. Arghyam Foundation (2001): Water Sustainability and Sanitation
In 2001, Rohini founded Arghyam, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving water security and sanitation across India. The foundation has played a pivotal role in ensuring equitable water access, supporting rainwater harvesting, groundwater management, and sanitation initiatives in rural and urban India.
“Water is ultimately a finite resource. With all finite resources, there is a continuous need for sustainable and equitable management, by capping demand, improving efficiencies in supply, and developing substitutes.” – Rohini Nilekani
2. Pratham Books (2004): Democratizing Literacy
To make children’s literature accessible and affordable, Rohini co-founded Pratham Books in 2004. Under her leadership, the organization introduced open-source publishing and multilingual books, ensuring that millions of Indian children, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, could develop a reading habit. She remained deeply involved with Pratham Books until 2014, helping it grow into one of India’s largest non-profit book publishers.
3. EkStep Foundation (2015): Revolutionizing Digital Learning
In 2015, Rohini co-founded EkStep, a non-profit education technology platform aimed at improving literacy and numeracy through digital infrastructure. EkStep’s open-source approach has enabled millions of children to access quality learning resources, particularly in underserved areas.
“Technology allows you to gather people with different skill sets virtually, and allows them to learn from each other very quickly.” – Rohini Nilekani
However, she also acknowledges the digital divide, highlighting concerns about inequality in access to technology:
“We need to think about the digital divide as well, that could be disastrous for children of certain economic classes who might not have access to those devices.” – Rohini Nilekani
4. Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies: Enabling Social Change
As Chairperson of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, she supports over 80 civil society organizations working in areas such as climate change, gender equity, governance, independent media, and animal welfare. In April 2023, she donated ₹100 crore to the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru to accelerate mental health research and treatment.
“Citizens need to get involved in governance.” – Rohini Nilekani
5. The Giving Pledge: A Commitment to Global Philanthropy
In 2017, Rohini and Nandan Nilekani became signatories of The Giving Pledge, a global movement initiated by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. Through this commitment, they pledged to donate at least half of their wealth to philanthropic causes, reinforcing their dedication to societal transformation.
Advocacy and Board Memberships
Rohini’s influence extends beyond her personal initiatives. She has been an active board member and advisor for various organizations that focus on ecology, governance, and independent media.
- Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE): Serving on the board of trustees, she contributes to research and policy development in environmental conservation.
- Eminent Persons Advisory Group of the Competition Commission of India: Appointed in 2012, providing strategic insights into fair market practices.
- Audit Advisory Board of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India: Offering guidance on audit functions and public governance since 2011.
- Independent and Public-Spirited Media Foundation: Advocating for quality independent journalism in India.
Recognition and Awards
Rohini Nilekani’s relentless efforts have garnered numerous accolades:
- Forbes Asia’s Heroes of Philanthropy: Named in 2010 and 2014 for her outstanding philanthropic contributions.
- Best Grassroots Philanthropist (2022): Awarded by Forbes India Leadership Awards for her impact on local communities.
- EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List (2022): Recognized as India’s top woman philanthropist, with a donation of ₹120 crore focused on education and environmental sustainability.
- Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2017): Recognized for her societal impact and advocacy.
Philosophy and Vision: The Samaaj, Sarkaar, and Bazaar Model
Rohini strongly believes in the foundational role of civil society (Samaaj) in shaping a just and equitable nation, with government (Sarkaar) and markets (Bazaar) playing complementary roles.
“In the ideal world, philanthropy should be redundant or at least it should be at the edges, as innovation or risk capital. But it’s far from an ideal world; the wealthy are cornering more and more opportunities and resources from this planet. So, the big challenge for philanthropy is… can it engage with the distribution of wealth itself?” – Rohini Nilekani
Her book, Samaaj, Sarkaar, Bazaar: A Citizen-First Approach, reflects on the interplay between these three sectors and the importance of citizen engagement in driving systemic change. She advocates for strategic philanthropy to empower communities rather than perpetuate dependency, ensuring long-term sustainable development.
“We can be inspired by and renew our ancient culture of sustainable design and living. Why not set standards for producers and importers of all goods and services sold in India?” – Rohini Nilekani
A Legacy of Impact and Inspiration
Despite her high-profile career, Rohini remains deeply connected to her family and personal values. She and Nandan Nilekani continue to collaborate on philanthropic endeavors, with a shared vision of leveraging technology, knowledge, and collective action for societal good.
Their daughter, Janhavi Nilekani, has followed in her parents’ footsteps, founding the Aastrika Foundation, which focuses on maternal healthcare.
Rohini Nilekani’s journey exemplifies the power of literature, philanthropy, and social innovation in creating meaningful, lasting change. From journalism to children’s books, from water conservation to digital learning, her impact spans diverse domains, inspiring countless individuals and organizations.
As she continues to champion equity, sustainability, and education, Rohini remains a beacon of transformative philanthropy, proving that one person’s commitment can uplift millions.
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