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.
Founder & President Emeritus: Dr. T.V. Ramakrishana
Sahasra Deepika International for Education (India) Board of Trustees
Vijaya Ramakrishna, President & Co-Treasurer
Vandana Malaiya, Secretary
Revathi Karupaiah, Assistant Treasurer
Vijaya Ramakrishna, President & Co-Treasurer
Vandana Malaiya, Secretary
Revathi Karupaiah, Assistant Treasurer
Dr. T.V. Ramakrishna
Amita Deepak Hoshing, Trustee
Sarva M. Rajendra, Trustee
Monica Singh, Trustee
Amita Deepak Hoshing, Trustee
Sarva M. Rajendra, Trustee
Monica Singh, Trustee
Sahasra Deepika Foundation for Education (USA) Board of Directors
Sarva M. Rajendra, President
Dana Hutson, Secretary
Leena Mathur, Treasurer
Sarva M. Rajendra, President
Dana Hutson, Secretary
Leena Mathur, Treasurer
Hillary Howard, Director
Swathi Joshi, Director
Supriya Challa, Director
Hillary Howard, Director
Swathi Joshi, Director
Supriya Challa, Director
