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The Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust (RGCT), a registered, not-for-profit organisation, was established in 2002 to address the development needs of the underprivileged of the country, especially the rural poor. The Trust's strategic objectives have been shaped by the vision of Shri Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India, of implementing programmes that have sustainable impact and are instrumental in transforming the lives of the poor. RGCT presently works in the poorest regions of Uttar Pradesh, one of the least developed states in the country, and Haryana through two development initiatives: Rajiv Gandhi Mahila Vikas Pariyojana (RGMVP) and Indira Gandhi Eye Hospital and Research Centre (IGEHRC).
RGMVP is the largest social mobilisation programme for women's empowerment in Uttar Pradesh with its work impacting 42 districts. It organises women to harness their individual and collective potentials as change agents, enabling them to facilitate poverty reduction by disrupting hierarchy and changing the power relations so that they feel empowered to claim their rightful place as equal citizens in society. IGEHRC, the largest provider of quality eye care in Uttar Pradesh, covers 12 districts and provides affordable eye care, especially to poor people, to eliminate avoidable blindness. It also operates in Sohna, Haryana, targeting the backward Mewat region.
In the last 13 years, the Trust has worked tirelessly to help millions of the poorest people to overcome poverty, social exclusion, and mitigating circumstances to lead productive lives. It has supported them in gaining access to social and economic opportunities by facilitating linkages to markets, delivery systems, and rights and entitlements. RGCT's unique models of scaling up and sustainability ensure inclusion of last mile populations into the mainstream. In the process, the Trust has built up teams whose professional competence contributes significantly to cost-effective and innovative delivery of services to the poor. Internally, the Trust has evolved into a result-oriented, ethical and transparent organisation that seeks to maximise the impact of all available resources and is fully accountable to all its stakeholders.
To strive for an equitable and just society by opening the doors of opportunity for the self-advancement of the poor and the deprived
RGCT has set itself challenging goals that aim to ensure that the benefits of its Projects reach the largest number of the underprivileged in the shortest time possible. Strategies and short- and long-term goals, therefore, give primacy to scalability and sustainability of its Projects.
The Trust has processes in place that safeguard the efficiency of its operations, reliability of financial data and compliance with mandatory rules and regulations. Transparency and effective management are assured through clearly laid down policies, an effective organisational structure, and procedures for supervision and accountability.
The Trust believes in making informed decisions. Using Information and Communication Technology (ICT), significant parameters and processes are measured and regularly reviewed to gauge the effectiveness and impact of its development interventions.
RGCT also believes in collaboration and cooperation with like-minded partners to achieve its vision. It actively seeks support from organisations and individuals that can contribute to making its long-term goals a reality.
Sonia Gandhi is the Chairperson of Congress Parliamentary Party and is former president of the Indian National Congress. She is the wife of former Prime Minister of India, Shri Rajiv Gandhi.
Rahul Gandhi is a member of the Indian Parliament who represents the constituency of Wayanad, Kerala, in the Lok Sabha. He is a member of the main opposition party, the Indian National Congress, and was the party president from December 2017 to July 2019. He is the son of the former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi.
Dr. Ashok Ganguly associated with a number of enterprises. He has been Director of the Central Board of the Reserve Bank of India and is also member of Prime Minister's Council on Trade and Industry and the National Knowledge Commission, amongst others. Dr. Ganguly is the recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award, and the Economic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mr. Mehta is a Chartered Accountant and former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. He is associated with a number of committees and enterprises.
Over the past decade and a half, Kanishka Singh has been actively involved in political and social work in India. His social work is principally in the fields of rural development, eyecare, healthcare and financial inclusion. Since 2005, he has been part of a team which developed the largest eye care system in North India. He also serves as a Trustee of the largest charitable hospital in the state of Uttar Pradesh and of the most visited small museum in India. He earlier worked as an investment banker in the Media Mergers & Acquisitions practice of Lazard Freres & Co. in New York.
Kanishka attended St. Stephen's College, Delhi and the Freie Universitat, Berlin. He graduated from the Huntsman Program in International Studies & Business - a dual degree program of the School of Arts and Sciences and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania from where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies as well as a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a concentration in Finance. He also has an LL.B. from the Campus Law Centre at the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi and is licensed to practice law in India.
Dr. Y.S.P. Thorat who retired as Chairman, NABARD in November 2007, was till recently Executive Chairman of the Dry land Farming Commission and Chairman of the Agriculture Universities Recruitment Board, Government of Maharashtra.
Dr. Thorat's current appointment with other organisations/ institutions include: Adjunct Professor, Department of Economics, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Adviser, Pravara Rural Education Society, Member, Managing Council and Executive Committee Rayat Shikshan Sanstha, Director, Britannia Limited, Go Air and Bombay Burmah Trading Company Limited etc.
In addition to being on the Boards of several companies including Tatas, Dr. Thorat was Adjunct Professor, Yashwantrao Chavan School of Rural Development, Shivaji University, Kolhapur and Secretary General, Pravara Rural Education Society. He was on the Board of the National Institute of Bank Management, Pune, Chairman of the Indian Society of Agriculture Economics, and Member of the Senate and Academic Council, Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
Dr. Thorat, recipient of the prestigious Gopal Krishna Gokhale Award at university, also holds a degree in Law, a doctorate in Economics and a D.Lit.
Dr. Thorat started his career in the Reserve Bank of India in 1972 and was appointed its Executive Director in 2003. During service Dr. Thorat was associated with the Planning Commission, Government of India for the 10th, and 11th Five Year Plans.
Dr. Thorat is very much a son of the soil and his family has contributed significantly to the city and the nation. His grandfather was in the Imperial Agriculture Service and was Director of Agriculture Bombay State. His father General Thorat, Kirti Chakra, DSO, Padma Shree was a highly decorated soldier who distinguished himself in World War 2 and as the Force Commander of the Custodian Force in Korea.
Mr. Mahendra has been a part of Indian Bank, a well-known and profit-making public-sector bank, for 37 years, joining as an Officer and rising to the positions of Branch Manager, Zonal Manager and General Manager. He has successfully handled varied work areas, starting from field work, branch administration, zonal administration and finally as a functional general manager at corporate office. His domains of specialisation include finance, credit, recovery, legal, audit/ inspection, risk management and HR, specifically training and development. He has also been a Director at Puduvai Grameena Bank, Pondicherry and Saptagiri Grameena Bank, Chittoor.
After completing his MBBS at Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi in 1987, Dr Dhawan pursued his interest in surgery during his junior residency in various departments. Discovering a knack for fine surgical work, he specialized in ophthalmology, completing his DO at Guru Nanak Eye Centre and later pursuing MS at Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, graduating with honours in 1995.
Transitioning to academia, Dr Dhawan became an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Nepal, enriching his surgical skills and passion for teaching. In 2000, he joined Lions Hospital & Research Centre, New Delhi, where he pioneered community eye care initiatives, introducing innovative surgical techniques like SICS and modified topical anaesthesia.
Subsequently, he split his time between Max Healthcare and Perfect Vision Eye Hospital, spearheading high-quality eye surgery projects and enhancing patient care. Eventually, he joined Max Healthcare full-time as Head of Department, Max Eye Care, overseeing the establishment of a world-class eye care facility in New Delhi and NCR.
Active in professional organisations and serving as an advisor in ophthalmology for various media outlets, he remains committed to providing comprehensive eye care and advancing the field of ophthalmology.
