User:Rajivruralindia/sandbox

The Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India (AGRASRI) was inaugurated by the champion of democratic decentralisation movement, Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, on 20 August, 2002 at Hotel Bliss (Darbar Hall), 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. 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 2 October, 2001, which was registered under the Societies Registration Act, xxi of 1860, as autonomous, independent, non-political, non-profit and Professional NGO, being headquartered at Tirupati, in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh. 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. 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. Patron-in-Chief 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, Visiting Senior Fellows, Visiting Fellows and Guest Faculty.