R. Balasubramaniam feted on appointment to NITI Aayog

Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) and Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement (GRAAM) jointly organised a special programme in Mysuru to felicitate their founder, R. Balasubramaniam, on his appointment as a full-time member of NITI Aayog.

The event titled ‘Celebrating Grassroots Leadership in National Building’ held at Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre at K.R. Mohalla in Mysuru recently was attended, among others, by the president of Ramakrishna Ashram, Mysuru, Swami Muktidanandaji Maharaj, noted industrialist and philanthropist R. Guru and tribal leader from H.D. Kote Mudali Madaiah.

Speakers recalled the early years of SVYM while sharing their personal experiences and long association with the organisation and Dr. Balasubramaniam. The speakers “reflected on the challenges, milestones, and collective efforts that have shaped SVYM’s journey from a grassroots initiative into a nationally recognised institution,” said a statement issued by the organisers. 

In his keynote reflective address on ‘From Grassroots Action to National Possibilities’, Dr. Balasubramaniam looked back on the struggles and uncertainties of the formative years and acknowledged the steadfast support of colleagues, community leaders, well-wishers, and countless partners who had contributed to the organisation’s growth over the decades.

He spoke about his own evolution from being a civil society activist who often questioned government systems to becoming part of the government apparatus, gaining a deeper appreciation of both the immense challenges faced by public institutions and the extraordinary possibilities that emerge when citizens and the government work together.

He emphasised that India’s development journey requires a renewed sense of custodianship, active citizenship, and shared responsibility. He further called for moving beyond a sustainability paradigm towards one of regenerative development that restores and enriches communities, institutions, and ecosystems. 

The event also featured a panel discussion on ‘Mysuru 2050: Cultural, Inclusive, Sustainable and Competitive Development of the City’, which brought together diverse perspectives on the future of Mysuru and the pathways required to ensure balanced and inclusive growth while preserving the city’s cultural heritage and environmental sustainability.