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The Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India (AGRASRI), Tirupati, was founded by social activist couple Dr. D. Sundar Ram and Mrs. D. Bharathi Sundar. It came into existence on 2nd October, 2001, which was registered under the Societies Registration Act, xxi of 1860, as autonomous, independent, non-profit and Non-Governmental Professional Organisation, being headquartered at Tirupati, a World renowned Hindu pilgrim centre. This is a unique Academy in the field of Grassroots Studies and Governance in the country. It provides a bridge between the elected representatives of Panchayati Raj and Nagar Palika Institutions, academicians, researchers, administrators and others working in the field, under the nurture of Dr. D. Sundar Ram and Mrs. D. Bharathi Sundar, Founder and Co-founder of the Academy.

The Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India (AGRASRI) was inaugurated by the champion of democratic decentralisation movement, Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, on 20th August, 2002 at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India is in the forefront of capacity building for good governance at the grassroots. Established as the premier institute for promoting and providing for the study of panchayati raj and nagar palikas, strengthening policy making, and for service delivery, the Academy is rapidly adapting itself to the requirements of modernising panchayati raj administration by improving its capacity and administrative skills. The Academy has an outstanding record of training, research and consultancy in the field of panchayati raj, rural development, women empowerment, social development and allied themes.

Dr. C. Rangarajan, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to Prime Minister of India, New Delhi, is the Hon. Visitor of the Academy.

Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Hon'ble Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Former Union Minister for Panchayati Raj, Government of India, is the Hon. Chief Patron of the Academy. Dr. Subhash C. Kashyap, former Secretary-General of Lok Sabha, is the Chairman of the Academy Board of Governors, while Shri Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, former Judge of Supreme Court of India, New Delhi, is the Chairman of the Hon. Board of Advisors of the Academy. A distinguished group of policy makers, scholars, administrators and researchers have been associated with the Academy, as Members of its Board of Governors, Executive Council, Distinguished Fellows.

Vision

The vision of Academy is to enhance the people’s participation in development programmes and sound management of rural local self-governments through grassroots democracy and process of democratic decentralisation in the form of statutory Panchayati Raj Institutions, as self sufficient Village Republics in India.

The major research thrust of Academy is in the areas of Grassroots Governance (Panchayati Raj), Urban Governance (Nagar Palikas), Women Empowerment, Socio-economic Development and allied subjects. The Academy shall strive to open new vistas of development dialogue between the micro and macro approaches on the grassroots democracy support initiatives for generating new ideas and dissemination of its knowledge for fulfilling people’s aspirations for genuine Village Republics in India, through research, training, workshops, seminars, orientation and refresher courses.

Mission

The Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India will:

a)Cater the needs of elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions, Municipal bodies and administrative personnel of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Nagar Palika administration;

b)Bridge the communication gap between the officials and non-officials of the Panchayati Raj and Nagar Palika Institutions;

c)Conduct innovative study and research on contemporary political and socio-economic issues and problems in an inter-disciplinary perspective and to make available its findings and recommendations to the key policy makers at the helm of affairs for an appropriate action;

d)Open a new vistas of the Academy’s programmes to various professional organisations in India and abroad for strengthening grassroots democratic theories and ideas; and

e)Build a regional, national and international networks with organisations working on grassroots studies and research.

Objectives

The following are the major objectives of the Academy:

i)To promote and conduct research on a multi-dimensional facets of the human conditions in rural India;

ii)To organise and facilitate conferences, seminars, colloquiums, special lectures, symposia and round-table meetings on grassroots studies and contemporary issues for the dissemination of knowledge from the innovative study and research at the micro and macro level;

iii)To organise and conduct a Post-Graduate Diploma Courses in Panchayati Raj and Rural Management, leading to P.G. Diploma in Grassroots Governance and Public Affairs Management;

iv)To undertake development studies and research projects sponsored by the Central and State Governments, International Agencies and Foundations;

v)To organise and conduct a Training Programmes, Workshop, Orientation and Refresher Courses for the elected representatives and functionaries of Panchayati Raj and Municipal bodies to create knowledge base, develop skills and understanding of the various dimensions of rural and urban transformation;

vi)To offer consultancy services to the local, state and union Governments of India and other funding agencies/organizations;

vii)To publish research works of high standard in the form of books, monographs, working papers, occasional papers, reports, pamphlets and other literature on Panchayati Raj and Grassroots Governance;

viii)To bring out a research journal, namely, The Grassroots Governance Journal (Bi-annual in English) and a Vernacular Magazine Grama Sabha (Quarterly in Telugu), for the advancement of knowledge in Panchayati Raj and to encourage on developmental problems of grassroots democratic institutions; and

ix)To orginise the Bharat Ratna Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Lecture every year on 20th August and confer the Bharat Ratna Rajiv Gandhi Outstanding Leadership, Bharat Ratna Rajiv Gandhi Mahila Shakthi, Yuva Shakthi, Best District, Best Taluk and Best Gram Panchayat Awards to the distinguished personalities and elected representatives of PRI’s, in recognition of their laudable contributions and services, for strengthening grassroots democratic institutions.

Organisation

The Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India (AGRASRI) is an autonomous academic institution of national eminence, being headquartered at Tirupati, for training, research and information dissemination in streams related to the ethos of grassroots governance. Conceived by well-known Constitutional expert Dr. Subhash C. Kashyap and promoted by social activist couple Dr. D. Sundar Ram and Mrs. D. Bharathi Sundar, it is now known nationally as a premier centre for Training and Research in Panchayati Raj, Rural Development and Women Empowerment. The Academy is recognised as Nodal Agency by the Govt. of India and Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, for imparting Capacity Building and Training Programmes for the elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions in Andhra Pradesh.

Besides conducting Training, Research, Consultancy, Conferences, Seminars, Workshops, Round-Tables, Colloquiums, it disseminates knowledge and information on good governance and capacity building by publishing two regular journals, books, occasional papers, working papers and other reports.