How are leaders across the Indian diaspora shaping new approaches to philanthropy and social impact? Season 5 of Catalyzing Change, a series on the Unusual Suspects podcast by Moneycontrol in collaboration with GivingPi, explores how philanthropic leaders across the diaspora are addressing complex social challenges through cross-border networks, sectoral expertise, and global perspectives.
Featuring conversations with Founders’ Circle Members Gurpreet Sunny Singh and Rashi Mehta, and GivingPi Members Ramesh Srinivasan, Raj and Anna Asava, Shruti Deorah, and more, the season examines how diaspora philanthropy is bridging knowledge and practice across areas such as public health, education, technology access and livelihoods while advancing new models of social investment. Across the series, leaders reflect on themes such as leadership as a philanthropic strategy, philanthropy as inheritance across generations, and systems-oriented approaches that move beyond single-cause giving to address interconnected challenges.
Episode 1 features Gurpreet Sunny Singh, who reflects on why philanthropy must begin with a simple but powerful belief: that everyone deserves basic conditions of dignity - food on the table, a roof overhead, and access to education. He also makes a compelling case for why philanthropy cannot remain the responsibility of governments alone but must be embraced by those with the means to expand opportunity and security for others. To listen to the episode, click here.
GivingPi Member Rati Forbes, Member of the Board of Advisors at iTeach Schools, supports efforts to expand access to quality education for students from underserved communities. Through a public–private partnership with the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, iTeach Schools manages three SSC English medium schools, providing trained teaching staff, structured academic systems, and student support to strengthen learning outcomes. The model is funded through a partnership in which the government contributes 60 percent and philanthropic partners contribute 40 percent, enabling the organization to deliver high-quality education within the public school system. Alongside academic learning, iTeach Schools also create opportunities that build confidence and expand aspirations. Recently, students from one of the schools met members of the RCB Women’s cricket team through Himalaya Face Care’s Wonder Women initiative, following months of cricket training facilitated by The Right Pitch. The interaction included scholarships of up to ₹50,000 and recognized the students’ efforts, reflecting iTeach Schools’ broader commitment to supporting both learning and aspiration amongst students. To learn more, click here.
GivingPi Member Nitasha Thapar, Co-Founder of TRI Art & Culture, is working to expand access to contemporary art by bringing together artists, communities, and audiences through inclusive cultural platforms. Founded by siblings Nitasha and Varun Thapar, TRI operates at the intersection of art, culture, and public engagement, with a strong focus on ensuring that artistic spaces remain accessible, particularly to students and young audiences. This commitment is reflected in TRI’s current Spring Season exhibition, “Khadi, a Canvas,” presented in collaboration with the Abheraj Baldota Foundation and curated by textile revivalist Lavina Baldota. The exhibition stems from a grassroots initiative where women from non-weaver communities were trained in traditional weaving, enabling entire villages to produce the khadi saris now on display. By linking craft revival with community livelihoods and cultural preservation, the initiative demonstrates how heritage practices can remain vibrant, relevant, and economically empowering in today’s cultural landscape.
GivingPi Members Anupama Dalmia, Founder of the Seekho Sikhao Foundation, and Sumana Dalmia, Program Manager, recently anchored the launch of the Landscape Report on In-Service Teacher Professional Development (TPD) in India, developed in partnership with Sattva Consulting and the India Education Collective. Drawing on primary research across six states, the study examines the persistent gap between teacher training programs and classroom practice. It highlights the need for a systemic shift toward teacher ownership and professional agency, stronger peer-learning networks, and feedback mechanisms that better connect training with the realities of classroom teaching. By mapping the current landscape of in-service teacher development and identifying opportunities for reform, the report aims to strengthen the broader teacher education ecosystem while supporting more effective and responsive professional learning models for educators across the country. This launch marks the beginning of a collective effort among CSOs to move beyond individual mandates and toward a shared strategy. It is a call for the ecosystem to come together, ensuring the insights from the ground truly reshape how we support our teachers. To read the report, click here.
GivingPi Member Mekin Maheshwari, Founder and CEO of Udhyam Learning Foundation, continues to advance efforts to integrate entrepreneurial learning within government school systems across India through the Tejasvi program in Madhya Pradesh. The program encourages students to identify challenges in their communities, develop solutions, and prototype ideas within the classroom. Implemented in partnership with the state government, Tejasvi aims to move beyond traditional rote learning by building problem-solving skills, creativity, and confidence among students. By the 2025–26 academic year, the program had reached over 2.2 lakh students across 1,274 schools. More than 6,000 teachers have been trained to facilitate entrepreneurial learning in their classrooms. Students participating in the program receive mentorship and seed support to develop early-stage prototypes. As part of this effort, ₹4.67 crore in seed funding has supported student-led ideas and ventures emerging from classrooms across the state. The foundation’s Udhyam Shiksha initiative has reached over 4.7 million students across more than 15,000 government schools, supported by 55,000 educators and almost a million students have received grants of over Rs. 223 crores from state governments. Through these efforts, the organization is helping young people build the skills, confidence, and agency needed to navigate an evolving economic landscape. For more information, click here.
GivingPi Member Luis Miranda, President of the Board of Trustees at CORO India, has been supporting the organization's long-standing ‘Right to Pee’ movement, which has been working since 2011 to improve public sanitation access across Mumbai. Rooted in community mobilization, the initiative advocates for equitable and affordable sanitation infrastructure, particularly for underserved communities who rely on shared public toilets. When rising electricity costs threatened the sustainability of community-managed sanitation facilities, CORO worked alongside residents of the community to advocate systemic change. Through sustained engagement and collective action, the campaign successfully pushed for a reduction in the commercial electricity tariff, easing the operational burden on public toilet facilities. This change has significant implications for affordability and continued access to sanitation for thousands of urban residents. A recently released documentary captures the journey of persistence, solidarity, and people-led advocacy behind the movement. To learn more, click here
GivingPi Members Sejal Desai and Shankar Iyer are advancing efforts through the Akanksha Education Fund (AEF) to support underserved youth as they transition from school to meaningful work. AEF’s School-to-Work (S2W) initiative focuses on addressing the structural barriers that often prevent students from successfully navigating this critical phase. Across India, nearly 33% of youth aged 15–29 are classified as not in employment, education, or training (NEET), highlighting the urgent need for coordinated interventions that bridge the gap between education and employment. AEF’s approach centers on strengthening schools as the unit of change while enabling collaboration between educators, nonprofits, employers, and funders. By supporting students through academic and skills development, exposure to the world of work, mentorship, and financial assistance, the initiative aims to create sustained pathways from education to stable livelihoods. Through this ecosystem approach, AEF aims to unlock opportunities for over one million young people, equipping them with the agency to navigate their choices, pursue pathways to economic mobility, and build a strong sense of long-term purpose. To learn more, click here.
GivingPi Member Karishma Swali, Creative Director of Chanakya International and Founder & Chairman of Chanakya School of Craft, recently presented the inaugural edition of The Swali Craft Prize in partnership with India Art Fair, with recipient Natasha Preenja's (Princess Pea) winning work, The Lotus Headed. Karishma Swali has been a leading voice in the preservation and revival of India's intangible artisanal heritage. The Swali Craft Prize continues this commitment by recognizing contemporary makers whose work bridges tradition and artistic innovation, offering a platform to renew the cultural and conceptual possibilities of handcraft. From over 100 entries, the Prize's international jury selected Preenja for a practice defined by conceptual depth, technical mastery, and a profound engagement with cultural heritage. Advocating for a more expansive view of creative practice and challenging the conventional hierarchies between craft and fine art, the Prize invites a renewed understanding of craft today – as a vital, contemporary force within cultural discourse. To learn more, click here.
GivingPi Member Rosy Bhatevara, Managing Trustee of the S.T. Bhatevara Foundation, continues to advance the foundation’s mission of expanding access to education for deserving students. The foundation supports nearly 180 students through scholarships for higher education, enabling them to pursue academic and professional pathways that might otherwise remain out of reach. In addition to financial assistance, the foundation organizes initiatives such as career guidance sessions, spoken English and interview skills training, and mentoring support. The foundation also supports infrastructure development in rural schools, educational institutions, and hostels. It provides vocational skill development through ITI and non-ITI training programs, helping students build practical skills alongside academic learning. Through these efforts, the S.T. Bhatevara Foundation continues to support promising students from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across Maharashtra and expand pathways to education and employment.
By Louisa Tang & Rebecca Bundhun | Channel Network Asia
This piece highlights the steady rise of private giving in India, which reached about ₹1.4 trillion in 2025 and is projected to keep growing, according to the India Philanthropy Report by Bain & Company and Dasra. It underscores the growing role philanthropists can play in helping address India’s development challenges as wealth and giving continue to expand.
By Samreen Wani | Forbes India
This piece analyzes how nearly half of individual giving in India goes to religious organizations, while only about 10 percent flows through formal charitable channels, according to the How India Gives Report by Ashoka University. The findings highlight a vast culture of everyday giving that remains largely informal and outside formal philanthropic systems.
By Rhett Ayers Butler | Non Profit Quarterly
This article explores the important role that strong information ecosystems play in supporting effective philanthropy. It highlights how investments in journalism, research, and open data can strengthen public accountability and create conditions for long-term progress across areas such as climate, governance, and public health.
