Biography:Raju Kendre

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Raju Kendre
BornOctober 1993
Pimpri Khandare, Buldhana district, Maharashtra, India
Alma materTata Institute of Social Sciences, SOAS University of London
OccupationSocial entrepreneur, Social Activist, Educator
Years activeSince 2012
Known forEklavya India Foundation, Global Scholars Program
Awards
  • Forbes 30 Under 30
  • Chevening Scholar
  • German Chancellor Fellow
  • Echoing Green Fellow
  • British Council Global Alumni Award

Raju Kendre (born October, 1993) is an Indian educator, social entrepreneur, and social activist known for his work in promoting education and grassroots development in rural and tribal communities of India.[1][2]

He is the founder and CEO of the Eklavya India Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering first-generation university students from historically marginalized communities.[3][4]

Raju is recognized as a TED speaker[5] and has been honored with a place in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.[6] He is also Chevening scholar at FCDO, UK, German Chancellor Fellow at the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and a Fellow at the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA).[7]

Early life and education

Raju Kendre was born into an agricultural nomadic tribal family in a small village of Pimpri Khandare, situated near the Lonar crater in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra's Vidarbha region.[8] He completed his schooling in a Zilla Parishad (government school) in the vernacular medium.[9] Due to socio-economic constraints and a lack of awareness and mentorship, he had to drop out from Pune University and transitioned to a distance education program for his undergraduate studies.[10][11] His own lived experience facing inequality and limited access to education, motivated him to start Eklavya India Foundation.[12]

Raju did his master's in social work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences.[13][14] Since 2017 he has served as a visiting faculty at Savitri Jotirao College of Social Work in Yavatmal.[15][16]

Raju was awarded Chevening scholarship by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) of the United Kingdom.[17][18][19][20] This scholarship helped him pursue a master's in Development studies at SOAS University of London,[21][22] where he authored his master's thesis on "Inequality in Indian Higher Education."[23]

He is currently working on a project focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in higher education, examining the German, European, and Indian systems. This research is part of the German Chancellor Fellowship under the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and is hosted by the University of Göttingen in Germany.[24][25][26][27]

Eklavya India Foundation

Raju founded Eklavya India Foundation, a dynamic organization dedicated to promoting higher education and enabling grassroots leadership. Eklavya serves as a support system, providing mentorship, training, and guidance to first generation learners from historically underrepresented communities of Maharashtra. This empowers them to pursue education at premier Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) while fostering grassroots leadership in academia, policy, law, media, and development.[28][29]

Since its establishment in 2017, the foundation has reported reaching over 500,000 students, supporting around 2,000 in gaining admission to national and international universities and colleges, and facilitating scholarships valued at more than USD 7 million.[30][31][32]

Global Scholars Program

Raju Kendre launching the Global Scholars Program at Ambedkar House, 10 King Henry Road, London, on 14 April 2022.

Recognizing the underrepresentation of marginalized groups from India in world-class universities and global scholarships,[33][34] Raju Kendre founded the Eklavya Global Scholars Program (GSP).[35][36] The program's pilot batch included 60+ first-generation students, with 50 receiving offers from Ivy League and tier-2 universities in the UK, US, and Europe.[37][38][39]

Awards and recognitions

  • German Chancellor Fellowship – Alexander von Humboldt Foundation[40][41]
  • Echoing Green Fellowship[42][43]
  • Forbes 30 Under 30 India[44][45]
  • Ashoka Global Innovators - Affiliate Fellowship[46]
  • Chevening Scholarship – Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, UK[47]
  • British Council Alumni Award (India & Global)[48][49][50]
  • Fellow at Royal Society of Arts (FRSA)[51]
  • Inlaks Social Engagement Fellowship[52]
  • International Alumni Award 2024 – Pioneers, London[53]
  • LinkedIn Top Voices in Social Impact.[54]
  • India-UK 75 Achievers Award.[55]

Raju's social enterprise Eklavya India Foundation is incubated at Echoing Green, SOAS London, NSRCEL- IIMB  and Nudge Institute,[56][57] Bangalore.

References

  1. ↑ Ramani, Priya (2023-09-08). "Raju Kendre: fighting to write his own story" (in en-IN). The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. https://www.thehindu.com/society/raju-kendre-fighting-to-write-his-own-story/article67269097.ece. 
  2. ↑ "Raju Kendre: Changing the idea of education, one community at a time". Global Indian. https://www.globalindian.com/story/changemaker/raju-kendre-changing-the-idea-of-education-one-community-at-a-time/. 
  3. ↑ "From the hinterland of Vidarbha, an edu movement places first-gen learners in top institutes". The Times of India. 2021-08-05. ISSN 0971-8257. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/from-the-hinterland-of-vidarbha-an-edu-movement-places-first-gen-learners-in-top-institutes/articleshow/85057677.cms. 
  4. ↑ Sethu, Divya (2021-07-13). "Farmer's Son Helps 125 Marginalized Students Access Higher Education & Fellowships" (in en-US). https://www.thebetterindia.com/258545/aju-kendre-help-scholarship-higher-education-fellowship-tribal-students-inspiring/. 
  5. ↑ "TEDxIITHyderabad | TED". https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/53774. 
  6. ↑ "Raju Kendre: Empowering First Generation Learners" (in en). https://www.forbesindia.com/article/30-under-30-2022/raju-kendre-empowering-first-generation-learners/73855/1. 
  7. ↑ Shegokar, Rajesh (2023-04-21). "शेतकऱ्याच्या मुलाची झेप : राजू केंद्रे लंडनच्या रॉयल सोसायटी ऑफ आर्ट्सचा फेलाे" (in mr). https://www.lokmat.com/akola/leap-of-the-farmers-son-raju-kendra-fellows-of-the-royal-society-of-arts-london-a-a405-c720/. 
  8. ↑ "Raju Kendre: Changing the idea of education, one community at a time" (in en-US). https://www.globalindian.com/story/changemaker/raju-kendre-changing-the-idea-of-education-one-community-at-a-time/. 
  9. ↑ "राजू केंद्रे यांची लंडनच्या रॉयल सोसायटी ऑफ आर्ट्समध्ये निवड" (in mr). 2023-04-21. https://www.loksatta.com/nagpur/raju-kendre-was-elected-to-the-royal-society-of-arts-london-ysh-95-3604807/. 
  10. ↑ "Raju Kendre: Empowering First Generation Learners" (in en). https://www.forbesindia.com/article/30-under-30-2022/raju-kendre-empowering-first-generation-learners/73855/1. 
  11. ↑ "शेतकऱ्याच्या लेकाची उत्तुंग भरारी; बुलडाण्याचा राजू केंद्रे झळकला फोर्ब्सच्या यादीत" (in mr). https://maharashtratimes.com/maharashtra/buldana/farmers-son-raju-kendre-on-forbes-2022-list/articleshow/89425240.cms. 
  12. ↑ "Raju Kendre: Empowering first generation learners" (in en). https://www.forbesindia.com/article/30-under-30-2022/raju-kendre-empowering-first-generation-learners/73855/1. 
  13. ↑ "Maharashtra Farmer's Son From Buldhana Gets Chevening Scholarship" (in en). 2021-07-05. https://www.sakshipost.com/news/national/maharashtra-farmers-son-buldhana-gets-chevening-scholarship-138334. 
  14. ↑ Sethu, Divya (2021-07-13). "Farmer's Son Helps 125 Marginalized Students Access Higher Education & Fellowships" (in en-US). https://www.thebetterindia.com/258545/aju-kendre-help-scholarship-higher-education-fellowship-tribal-students-inspiring/. 
  15. ↑ "Raju Kendre: Changing the idea of education, one community at a time" (in en-US). https://www.globalindian.com/story/changemaker/raju-kendre-changing-the-idea-of-education-one-community-at-a-time/. 
  16. ↑ Ramani, Priya (2023-09-08). "Raju Kendre: fighting to write his own story" (in en-IN). The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. https://www.thehindu.com/society/raju-kendre-fighting-to-write-his-own-story/article67269097.ece. 
  17. ↑ "Poor farmer's son wins Chevening scholarship" (in en). https://www.thehitavada.com/Encyc/2021/7/2/Poor-farmer-s-son-wins-Chevening-scholarship.html. 
  18. ↑ "Raju Kendre" (in en-US). https://www.cede.co.in/inspiration/raju-kendre. 
  19. ↑ "From Buldhana to UK: 'Eklavya' Kendre wins Chevening scholarship". The Times of India. 2021-07-03. ISSN 0971-8257. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/from-buldhana-to-uk-eklavya-kendre-wins-chevening-scholarship/articleshow/84079399.cms. 
  20. ↑ "Maharashtra Farmer's Son From Buldhana Gets Chevening Scholarship" (in en). 2021-07-05. https://www.sakshipost.com/news/national/maharashtra-farmers-son-buldhana-gets-chevening-scholarship-138334. 
  21. ↑ "UK varsities do action-oriented research, don't simply print PhDs: How Raju Kendre bagged the prestigious Chevening Scholarship" (in en). https://www.edexlive.com/beinspired/2021/jul/26/uk-varsities-dont-simply-print-phds-like-india-raju-kendre-chevening-scholarship-22800.html. 
  22. ↑ "Farmer s Son on Forbes 2022 List" (in en). http://www.indiaherald.com/Winners/Read/994474781/Farmers-Son-on-Forbes-List. 
  23. ↑ Ramani, Priya (2023-09-08). "Raju Kendre: fighting to write his own story" (in en-IN). The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. https://www.thehindu.com/society/raju-kendre-fighting-to-write-his-own-story/article67269097.ece. 
  24. ↑ English, The Mooknayak (2024-05-13). "Raju Kendre, Advocate for Marginalized Communities, Awarded German Chancellor Fellowship" (in en). https://en.themooknayak.com/dalit-news/raju-kendre-advocate-for-marginalized-communities-awarded-german-chancellor-fellowship. 
  25. ↑ "Raju Kendre" (in en). https://www.humboldt-foundation.de/en/connect/explore-the-humboldt-network/singleview/1239277/raju-kendre. 
  26. ↑ Öffentlichkeitsarbeit, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen-. "Raju Kendre - Georg-August-University Göttingen" (in de). https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/raju+kendre/691297.html. 
  27. ↑ "राजू केंद्रे यांची जर्मन सरकारच्या प्रतिष्ठित जर्मन चॅन्सलर फेलोशिपसाठी निवड" (in mr). 2024-05-11. https://www.loksatta.com/nagpur/raju-kendre-has-been-selected-for-the-prestigious-german-chancellor-fellowship-by-the-german-government-cwb-76-ssb-93-4366492/. 
  28. ↑ "Eklavya's study abroad initiative will 'create leaders with empathy': Raju Kendre" (in en). https://news.careers360.com/raju-kendre-study-abroad-eklavya-sc-st-scholarship-coaching-interview-law-media-public-policy. 
  29. ↑ Taneja, Nidhima (2022-09-04). "After JNU, IIT, tribal students at Yavatmal's Eklavya now dream global—Chevening to DAAD" (in en-US). https://theprint.in/feature/after-jnu-iit-tribal-students-at-yavatmals-eklavya-now-dream-global-chevening-to-daad/1108551/. 
  30. ↑ "Social Action Award 2025 | Study UK" (in en). https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/after-your-studies/alumni-awards/winners-finalists/2025/social-action. 
  31. ↑ "Four SOAS alumni win British Council Study UK Alumni Awards | SOAS" (in en). 2025-04-16. https://www.soas.ac.uk/about/news/four-soas-alumni-win-british-council-study-uk-alumni-awards. 
  32. ↑ "ब्रिटीश कौन्सिलचा ‘ग्लोबल अल्युम्नी अवॉर्ड’ राजू केंद्रे यांना, या यादीत येणारे एकमेव भारतीय" (in mr). 2025-08-27. https://www.loksatta.com/nagpur/raju-kendra-british-council-global-alumni-award-ssb-93-5334069/. 
  33. ↑ "आता गरिबाची पोरंही शिकणार विदेशात, 'एकलव्य'च्या माध्यमातून एक हजार विद्यार्थी.." (in mr). 2022-11-13. https://lokmat.news18.com/maharashtra/nagpur/students-from-poor-family-get-abroad-education-guidance-through-eklavya-global-scholar-program-mhkd-785520.html. 
  34. ↑ "Study Abroad: वंचित विद्यार्थ्यांसाठी परदेशी शिक्षणाची संधी" (in mr). https://maharashtratimes.com/career/career-news/study-abroad-opportunities-for-underprivileged-students/articleshow/95221117.cms. 
  35. ↑ "परदेशात शिक्षण घ्यायचंय? काळजी कसली करता, एकलव्य आहे ना...!" (in mr). https://maharashtratimes.com/maharashtra/nagpur/organizing-a-workshop-in-nagpur-by-eklavya-raju-kendre-for-studying-abroad-and-guidance/articleshow/95443633.cms. 
  36. ↑ "How an NGO is giving wings to the dreams of students from marginalised communities to pursue higher studies abroad". Indian Express: pp. 1. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/eklavya-india-foundation-ngo-wings-dreams-students-marginalised-communities-to-pursue-higher-studies-abroad-8978708/. 
  37. ↑ "Eklavya's study abroad initiative will 'create leaders with empathy': Raju Kendre" (in en). https://news.careers360.com/raju-kendre-study-abroad-eklavya-sc-st-scholarship-coaching-interview-law-media-public-policy. 
  38. ↑ Taneja, Nidhima (2022-09-04). "After JNU, IIT, tribal students at Yavatmal's Eklavya now dream global—Chevening to DAAD" (in en-US). https://theprint.in/feature/after-jnu-iit-tribal-students-at-yavatmals-eklavya-now-dream-global-chevening-to-daad/1108551/. 
  39. ↑ "Host of institutes in Pune open up options for students who wish to migrate to US, Europe" (in en). 2023-08-31. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/institutes-pune-students-study-abroad-migrate-us-europe-8917602/. 
  40. ↑ English, The Mooknayak (2024-05-13). "Raju Kendre, Advocate for Marginalized Communities, Awarded German Chancellor Fellowship" (in en). https://en.themooknayak.com/dalit-news/raju-kendre-advocate-for-marginalized-communities-awarded-german-chancellor-fellowship. 
  41. ↑ "राजू केंद्रे यांची जर्मन सरकारच्या प्रतिष्ठित जर्मन चॅन्सलर फेलोशिपसाठी निवड" (in mr). 2024-05-11. https://www.loksatta.com/nagpur/raju-kendre-has-been-selected-for-the-prestigious-german-chancellor-fellowship-by-the-german-government-cwb-76-ssb-93-4366492/. 
  42. ↑ Olivencia, Y'aneris (2024-08-06). "Introducing the 2024 Echoing Green Fellows" (in en-US). https://echoinggreen.org/news/introducing-the-2024-echoing-green-fellows/. 
  43. ↑ Staff Writer (2024-08-09). "Four Startup Founders from Nigeria, 40 Others Selected for Echoing Green 2024 Cohort of Fellows" (in en-GB). https://techeconomy.ng/four-startup-founders-from-nigeria-40-others-selected-for-echoing-green-2024-cohort-of-fellows/. 
  44. ↑ "Raju Kendre: Empowering First Generation Learners" (in en). https://www.forbesindia.com/article/30-under-30-2022/raju-kendre-empowering-first-generation-learners/73855/1. 
  45. ↑ "Raju Kendre in Forbs 30 Under 30 : उच्च शिक्षणाच्या माध्यमातून तळागाळातील नेतृत्त्व उभं राहावं हा प्रयत्न – चेवनिंग स्कॉलर राजू केंद्रेंसोबत संवाद" (in mr). https://www.etvbharat.com/marathi/maharashtra/state/buldana/chevening-scholar-raju-kendra-interview-from-london-with-etv-bharat/mh20220210080659053. 
  46. ↑ "Breaking down barriers: How Raju Kendre is redefining opportunities for India's marginalised communities | Chevening" (in en). 2025-01-28. https://www.chevening.org/news/breaking-down-barriers-how-raju-kendre-is-redefining-opportunities-for-indias-marginalised-communities/. 
  47. ↑ "Poor farmer's son wins Chevening scholarship" (in en). https://www.thehitavada.com/Encyc/2021/7/2/Poor-farmer-s-son-wins-Chevening-scholarship.html. 
  48. ↑ "Social Action Award 2025 | Study UK" (in en). https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/after-your-studies/alumni-awards/winners-finalists/2025/social-action. 
  49. ↑ "British Council Honour Alumni at the Study UK Alumni Awards 2025 in India" (in en). 2025-03-04. https://www.timesnownews.com/education/british-council-honour-alumni-at-the-study-uk-alumni-awards-2025-in-india-article-118702641. 
  50. ↑ "British Council Honours Alumni At Study UK Alumni Awards 2025 In India" (in en-in). https://www.shiksha.com/studyabroad/news/british-council-honours-alumni-at-study-uk-alumni-awards-2025-in-india-articlepage-192044. 
  51. ↑ "Raju Kendre" (in en-US). https://fellows.echoinggreen.org/fellow/raju-kendre/#:~:text=Raju%20holds%20a%20master%20of,Arts,%20and%20an%20Inlaks%20Fellow.. 
  52. ↑ "Inlaks Shivdasani Fellows for Social Engagement 2023: Dipesh Agarwala, Fakirappa. S. Harijan, Raju Kendre and Rucha Satoor" (in en-US). 2023-10-26. https://inlaksshivdasanifoundationblog.org/home/2023/10/13/inlaks-shivdasani-fellows-for-social-engagement-2023-dipesh-agarwala-fakirappa-harijan-raju-kendre-and-rucha-satoor. 
  53. ↑ "The PIEoneer Awards 2024" (in en). https://pieoneerawards.com/2024/en/page/winners-and-highly-commended-finalists-2024. 
  54. ↑ "LinkedIn Top Voices in Social Impact: 15 creators to follow in India" (in en). https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/linkedin-top-voices-social-impact-15-creators-follow-. 
  55. ↑ Mohammad, Ibrar (2023-01-26). "From Manmohan Singh to Raghav Chadha: List of 75 Indian Achievers Honoured by UK" (in en). https://www.thequint.com/what-we-know/uk-honours-75-indian-achievers-on-the-eve-of-republic-day-raghav-chadha-priti-patel. 
  56. ↑ Ramesh, Anusha (2022-01-20). "The/Nudge Incubator Announces Cohort 8 : Meet The 15 Early Stage Non-Profits Solving For Poverty Alleviation In India At Scale [Part 1"] (in en). https://thelogicalindian.com/thenudge-incubator-33395. 
  57. ↑ "Eklavya Foundation". https://csi.thenudge.org/portfolio/eklavya-foundation. 



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