About

Our Mission

Sahasra Deepika, which means a thousand lights, is a non-profit foundation that houses and educates underprivileged children in Bangalore, India. Our students are encouraged to develop their intellectual, social, and academic potential so that they can feel self-empowered and contribute to the community at large.

Our Vision

We aspire to give our students a well-rounded education and stable upbringing while instilling the importance of integrity and service, empowering them to productively participate in their communities and shape the future of our world.

Our Story

The personal impact of poverty and the difficulties faced by his widowed mother left a lasting impression on Dr. T.V. Ramakrishna. It was the support and encouragement of teachers and caring adults that enabled him to rise above his circumstances and eventually build a life for himself and his family in the United States. After receiving his Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati, he and his wife Vijaya settled in Charleston, West Virginia.

Dr. Ramakrishna never forgot that there were millions of children like him, with dreams and talents of their own. He and his wife recognized the profound impact that education had on their own lives, and dedicated themselves to educating impoverished children in India. In 1998, they opened Sahasra Deepika Institute on 4 acres of land outside of Bangalore. And thus they began building a future for children in need, one child at a time.

In 2013, the Ramakrishnas were recognized as Purpose Prize Fellows by Encore.org. a nonprofit that promotes encore careers – work that is both personally meaningful and serves the greater good. It represents the nation’s only large-scale investment in social entrepreneurs and other creative problem solvers in the second half of life.

Leadership

Sahasra Deepika Foundation for Education (USA) and Sahasra Deepika International for Education (India) work together to implement the mission and vision of Sahasra Deepika.