In a country where education is a privilege for many, Raju Kendre stands out as a revolutionary leader determined to change that narrative. The founder of the Eklavya India Foundation, he has been a guiding light for first-generation university students, particularly those from marginalized and tribal communities.

His mission is clear: to democratize access to higher education, ensure mentorship and guidance, and empower rural youth to claim their rightful place in national and international academic spaces.

Early Life and Background of Raju Kendre

Raju Kendre hails from a marginal farming family in rural Maharashtra, where education was often seen as a luxury. Coming from a Bahujan tribal community, he experienced firsthand the barriers that marginalized students face in accessing quality education—be it lack of resources, guidance, or systemic discrimination.

Despite these hurdles, Raju was determined. He became the first in his family to attend university, pursuing higher education at TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences), one of India’s premier institutions. His personal journey shaped his mission to make education accessible for others like him.

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Founding the Eklavya India Foundation

In 2019, Raju Kendre founded the Eklavya India Foundation with the core belief that talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not. The foundation focuses on:

• Mentoring first-generation learners
• Capacity-building programs
• Scholarship application support
• Fellowship guidance
• Soft skills and leadership training

Named after the legendary tribal archer Eklavya from the Mahabharata, the organization symbolizes resilience, self-learning, and breaking social hierarchies through knowledge.

Mission and Vision of Eklavya India Foundation

The Eklavya India Foundation is built on four pillars:

1. Access – Bridging the gap between rural communities and higher education institutions.
2. Equity – Supporting underrepresented students, especially from SC/ST/OBC and tribal backgrounds.
3. Leadership – Creating community-rooted leaders who can drive systemic change.
4. Global Exposure – Helping students apply for international scholarships and fellowships like Chevening, Fulbright, and Commonwealth.

To date, Eklavya India Foundation has impacted thousands of students across India, especially in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand.

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National and Global Recognition

Raju Kendre’s work has garnered national and international recognition. He was:

• Selected for the Chevening Scholarship in the UK
• A Global Peace Ambassador
• Invited to global forums including United Nations, Oxford, and Cambridge
• Featured in leading Indian media outlets like The Hindu, Times of India, and NDTV

His work was also recognized by NITI Aayog under the Atal Innovation Mission, and he has been honored as a Young Changemaker by several global development platforms.

Mentorship Model – A New Paradigm in Grassroots Education

One of the most innovative aspects of Raju Kendre’s work is the Mentorship Model developed by Eklavya India Foundation. It connects aspiring students with:

• Mentors from similar backgrounds who’ve made it to top universities
• Experts in higher education policy
• Professionals who can offer career and scholarship guidance

The model emphasizes peer mentoring, creating a ripple effect of success and empowerment. It has enabled several students to:

• Get admitted into top Indian institutes like TISS, JNU, IITs, IIMs
• Win global scholarships and attend foreign universities
• Become changemakers in their own communities

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Impact Stories – From Margins to Mainstream

The real impact of Raju Kendre’s work can be seen in the stories of students who once struggled to complete school and are now masters and Ph.D. scholars in premier global institutions.

For instance:

• A tribal girl from Gadchiroli is now studying at SOAS, University of London
• A student from Yavatmal is pursuing a master’s in Public Policy at Oxford
• Several others have been placed in leadership roles in NGOs, government bodies, and international fellowships

These stories are not just about individual success, but about breaking generations of educational inequality.

Advocacy and Public Policy

Raju Kendre is also a strong advocate for inclusive education policies in India. He works with policymakers to:

• Promote reservation and affirmative action
• Ensure representation of Bahujan communities in academia
• Push for rural outreach programs in top educational institutions

His advocacy is focused on systemic change, ensuring that higher education becomes a tool for social mobility.

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Awards and Honors

Raju Kendre has received several accolades, including:

• Chevening Scholarship 2020 (UK Government)
• Forbes India’s 30 Under 30 Nominee
• Global Youth Peace Ambassador Award
• Featured by UNESCO-MGIEP for educational innovation
• Recognized by Karmaveer Chakra Award for grassroots activism

These awards reflect his credibility, global impact, and unwavering commitment to educational justice.

The Road Ahead – Dreaming of an Educated Bharat

Raju Kendre envisions a future where every village in India has a student who’s gone abroad or to a top national university. He is currently working on:

• Scaling the Eklavya Fellowship Program
• Launching virtual mentorship hubs in remote regions
• Building a pan-India network of first-generation learners

He believes that education is not just about degrees, but about dignity and direction—a powerful tool to break the cycle of poverty and oppression.

Conclusion – A Grassroots Hero of Higher Education

In a country with deep-rooted educational inequality, Raju Kendre shines as a beacon of hope and change. Through the Eklavya India Foundation, he is rewriting the story of marginalized youth—not as victims, but as visionaries, leaders, and scholars.

His work reminds us that true transformation begins at the grassroots, and that every Eklavya deserves a chance to become Arjuna—with or without a Dronacharya.

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