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{{Short description|Indian writer and activist}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Advert|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Dr Ramaswami Balasubramaniam (Dr R Balu)
| image = Dr R Balu.jpg
| caption =
| birth_place = [[Bengaluru]], [[Karnataka]], India
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| education = MBBS from Mysore Medical College, Mysuru<br />MPhil in Hospital and Health Systems Management at [[Birla Institute of Technology and Science]] <br />Masters in Public Administration at [[John F. Kennedy School of Government]], [[Harvard University]]</p>
| spouse =
| children =
| website = {{URL|drrbalu.com}}
}}

'''Dr Ramaswami Balasubramaniam''', known as '''Dr R Balu''', is a development scholar, author, public policy advocate, leadership trainer known for his development work with rural and tribal people in [[Saragur]] and [[Heggadadevana kote]] Taluks of [[Mysuru]] in [[Karnataka]], [[India]]. He founded [[Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement]] (SVYM), a development organization based in Saragur when he was 19.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About {{!}} SVYM (Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement) |url=https://svym.org/about-svym/#history |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=svym.org}}</ref> He is also the founder of the Grassroots Research And Advocacy Movement (GRAAM), a public policy think tank in Mysuru. After spending 26 years in development work among rural and tribal people, he pursued academic degrees in leadership, organisational development and public policy. He was the Frank T Rhodes professor<ref name=cornell>{{cite web|last1=Kelley|first1=Susan|title=International development expert named Rhodes professor|url=https://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/2012/08/global-development-expert-named-rhodes-professor|website=cornell.edu|publisher=Cornell University|accessdate=24 January 2015}}</ref> at [[Cornell University]] between 2012 and 2014, and has held academic positions in Cornell and other universities. His books ''Voices from the Grassroots'' and ''I, the citizen'' (2015) are compilation of narratives and reflections of a development expert. He published ''Power Within: The Leadership Legacy of Narendra Modi'' in 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Power Within: The Leadership Legacy Of Narendra Modi |url=https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/pm-signs-copy-of-dr-r-balasubramaniams-book-power-within-the-leadership-legacy-of-narendra-modi/ |website=Dr R Balasubramaniam}}</ref>

==Early life and education==
Balu studied medicine at [[Mysore Medical College & Research Institute|Mysore Medical College]]. He was involved in volunteer and rural healthcare work during his medical college days. He founded the [[Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement]] (SYVM) in 1984 while he was studying medicine. The organisation was inspired by the works of [[Swami Vivekananda]] and the values of [[Ahimsa]], [[Satya]], [[Selfless service|Seva]] and [[Tyaga]].

In 2009, he pursued a Masters in Public Administration from the John F Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University where he was the Mason Fellow.<ref name="HKS 2016">{{cite news|last1=Harvard Kennedy School|title=Ramaswami "Balu" Balasubramaniam MC/MPA 2010 ensures all stakeholders have a voice in policy|url=https://www.hks.harvard.edu/more/alumni/alumni-stories/expanding-human-capital-ground|accessdate=May 14, 2024|work=Harvard Kennedy School|date=November 30, 2016}}</ref> He was awarded a [[PhD]] in Leadership and Management by the [[Centurion University of Technology and Management]] (CUTM) in December 2025.

==Health and development==
As part of SVYM, he set up and operated projects on preventive, promotive and curative health care, water and sanitation, behavioural change communication, reproductive and child health and HIV-AIDS for marginalized rural and indigenous tribal communities. Working with local tribal communities, he conceived and operated an Integrated Development model for their economic growth. Under his leadership, SVYM started schools and developed community-based education programs that reached more than 50,000 rural children in different parts of Karnataka State. He fought for the rights of the tribal people in the [[Heggadadevana kote]] area by petitioning the [[National Human Rights Commission of India|National Human Rights Commission]] and ensured resolution of their demands. In 2008, he coordinated a community-led movement for good governance using the [[Right to Information Act]]. As part of this movement, he walked 350 km through 120 villages and trained and interacted with more than 200,000 people, encouraging them to use the RTI act as a tool for development.<ref name=padayatra>{{cite news|last1=Unknown|title='RTI activities' reach a new high|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/rti-activities-reach-a-new-high/article1349320.ece|accessdate=24 January 2015|work=The Hindu|date=October 1, 2008}}</ref> In 2013, he led a campaign to deepen democracy and create awareness of electoral issues, "Making Democracy Work", in Mysore district.<ref name="TOI 2013">{{cite news|last1=Times News Network|title=Awareness created to vote for the right candidate|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysuru/Awareness-created-to-vote-for-the-right-candidate/articleshow/27674489.cms|accessdate=24 January 2015|work=The Times of India|date=December 20, 2013}}</ref>

==Public policy==
He was appointed as the special investigator for the Karnataka [[LokAyukta|Lok Ayukta]] and was responsible for investigating complaints of maladministration and corruption in the health and medical education sectors. In this position, he investigated issues related to corruption in the [[Public distribution system (India)|Public Distribution System]] between 2006 and 2011.<ref name=ET>{{cite news|last1=Jayadevan|first1=PK|title=Technology to bring down corruption and leakages in the public distribution system and other schemes|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-08-11/news/29876169_1_illegal-mining-ration-card-database-santosh-hegde|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150124225108/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-08-11/news/29876169_1_illegal-mining-ration-card-database-santosh-hegde|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 January 2015|accessdate=24 January 2015|work=Economic Times|agency=ET Bureau|date=August 11, 2011}}</ref>

Apart from his leadership role at SVYM, Balu engages in international motivational speaking and teaching engagements on adaptive leadership, among other topics. He teaches at several universities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Expanding human capital from the ground up |url=https://www.hks.harvard.edu/more/alumni/alumni-stories/expanding-human-capital-ground |website=Harvard Kennedy School |access-date=14 May 2024}}</ref>

He was a member of the Technical Group of Social Stock Exchange (SSE) constituted by the [[Securities and Exchange Board of India]].<ref name=TheHindu>{{cite news|title=SVYM and GRAAM founder appointed to SEBI committee|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/svym-and-graam-founder-appointed-to-sebi-committee/article32824162.ece|accessdate=20 July 2021|work=The Hindu|agency=The Hindu|date=October 11, 2020}}</ref> He is the chairman of the Social Stock Exchange Advisory Committee.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sebi.gov.in/sebiweb/about/AboutAction.do?doMember=yes&committeesId=73 | title=SEBI | Committee Members }}</ref>

==Capacity Building Commission==
In 2021, he was appointed to the Capacity Building Commission (CBC) of the Government of India as Member - Human Resources.<ref>{{cite web|title=Capacity Building Commission|url=https://dopttrg.nic.in/igotmk/CBC.html|work=Department of Personnel & Training, Govt of India}}</ref><ref name=BusinessStandardNews>{{cite news|title=Capacity Building Commission formed|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/capacity-building-commission-formed-adil-zainulbhai-appointed-as-chairman-121040200231_1.html|accessdate=July 20, 2021|work=Business Standard|agency=BS Web|date=April 2, 2021}}</ref> CBC is a part of the "Mission Karmayogi" - National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB).<ref name=PressInformationBureau>{{cite news|title=Cabinet approves "Mission Karmayogi"- National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB)|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1650633|accessdate=July 20, 2021|work=Press Information Bureau|agency=PIB|date=September 2, 2020}}</ref>

==Other work==
Balu conducts leadership workshops for private sector companies, [[Non-governmental organization|NGOs]], government officials and students.<ref name="Leadership workshops at VILD">{{cite web|title=Leadership workshops at VILD|url=http://www.vild.edu.in/?q=content/leadership-global-citizenship-1|website=Vivekananda Institute For Leadership Development|accessdate=7 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cipa.cornell.edu/academics/Adjunct-Faculty.cfm?person=763&letter= |title=Balu's Profile on CIPA's Website |access-date=2015-02-07 |archive-date=2015-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613091708/http://www.cipa.cornell.edu/academics/Adjunct-Faculty.cfm?person=763&letter= |url-status=dead }}</ref> He co-founded Vivekanda Institute for Leadership Development (VLEAD) in 2002, and Vivekananda Institute of Indian Studies (VIIS) in 2008, in Mysore. VLEAD offers training programmes in management, community development and leadership. VLEAD is also involved in various development research activities. VIIS facilitates the study, research, development and dissemination of Indian culture, spirituality, dance, music, art and philosophy, by offering customised courses to Indian and international students. In 2011, Balu founded a public policy research institute called Grassroots Research & Advocacy Movement (GRAAM).<ref>{{Cite web |title=GRAAM |url=https://graam.org.in/home/whoweare |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=graam.org.in}}</ref> It is in Mysore.

In 2012, Balu was appointed as the Frank H. T. Rhodes Professor at Cornell University, NY, USA.<ref>{{Cite web |title=International development expert named Rhodes professor {{!}} Cornell Chronicle |url=https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2012/08/global-development-expert-named-rhodes-professor |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=news.cornell.edu |language=en}}</ref>

In 2015, Balu released a book based on a compilation of narratives and reflections of a development activist.<ref name=pib>{{cite web|last1=PIB|title=Dr. Jitendra Singh hails new genre of 'citizen-authors'|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=128348|website=pib.nic.in|publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India|accessdate=25 November 2015}}</ref> The book was crowd-funded and was released by an Indian minister of state in the prime minister's Office. Similar book launches were also held at Cornell University.<ref>{{Citation |title="i, the citizen" book launch, ILR School at Cornell University | date=10 September 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z7ZZJ-L7Qc |access-date=2023-09-01 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2024, Balu published ''Power Within: The Leadership Legacy of Narendra Modi''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Power Within: The Leadership Legacy Of Narendra Modi |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsRATrBUMp8&t=2710s |website=Dr R Balasubramaniam | date=9 June 2024 }}</ref>

In 2025, Dr Balu launched a think tank, India House, co-founded by alumni and faculty of various IITs, and he acts as a mentor to the organization. <ref>{{cite web |title= India House {{!}} Team |url=https://theindiahouse.org/ourteam}}</ref>

==Awards and recognition==
Balu was given the state youth award by the Government of Karnataka in 1988. He was honoured with the [[Paul P. Harris|Paul Harris Fellow]] by Rotary International in recognition of his contributions towards social service in 2000. In 2003, the [[Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham]] awarded him the Jayendra Saraswathi Award for his lifetime contribution to social work. In 2011, the [[Dainik Bhaskar]] group awarded him the India Pride awards for social development work. In January 2014, he received the Vivekananda Award for Human Excellence from the [[Ramakrishna Mission]]. In May 2014, the Society for Indian Medical Anthropology awarded him the Swasthya Seva Ratna Award for outstanding medical service to indigenous tribal communities.

In 2021, Dr R Balu was recognised as a faculty member who contributed most significantly to the [[Cornell University|Cornell]] experience of the Merrill Presidential Scholars.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Merrill Scholars thank educators who shaped Cornell journeys {{!}} Cornell Chronicle |url=https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2021/05/merrill-scholars-thank-educators-who-shaped-cornell-journeys |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=news.cornell.edu |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=20210524_Merrill Presidential Scholars |url=https://vod.video.cornell.edu/media/20210524_Merrill+Presidential+Scholars/1_fm5doxka |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=Video on Demand |language=en}}</ref> His association with the [[Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations]] (ILR) and the genesis of ILR's Global Service Learning Summer Program <ref>{{Cite web |title=ILR India Global Service Learning Program at SVYM {{!}} Find Your Opportunity |url=https://experience.cornell.edu/opportunities/ilr-india-global-service-learning-program-svym |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=experience.cornell.edu}}</ref> was covered as one of the stories of the 75th-anniversary celebrations of the school.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dr. Ramaswami "Balu" Balasubramaniam|url=https://www.ilr.cornell.edu/75/our-stories/dr-ramaswami-balu-balasubramaniam|website=ilr.cornell.edu|date=5 February 2021 }}</ref>

In August 2024, Dr R Balu was awarded a Doctor of Letters ([[Honoris Causa]]) by the Nrupathunga University for his in the field of social work with rural and tribal people.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nrupathunga University to hold first convocation in Bengaluru |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/nrupathunga-university-to-hold-first-convocation-in-bengaluru-on-august-21/article68542402.ece |work=The Hindu |date=19 August 2024 |access-date=21 August 2024}}</ref>

== Publications ==
* ''Fighting Corruption: The Way Forward'' (Academic Foundation, 2013)
* ''Swami Vivekananda: The Benefactor of the Masses'' (Ramkrishna Mission Institute of Culture, 2013)
* "Swami Vivekananda: The Prophet of Service" in ''Swami Vivekananda: The Charm of His Personality and Message''. R Balasubramaniam (Balu), Swami Atmashradhananda (Sri Ramakrishna Math, 2014)
* ''The Disease Called Corruption'' (Vismaya Publications, 2011)
* ''Swami Vivekananda: As I See Him'' (Graam, 2014)
* ''Hosa Kanasu (New Dreams)'' (Graam, 2014)
* ''I, the Citizen'' (Graam, 2015)
* ''Voices from the Grassroots'' (Graam, 2018)
* ''Leadership Lessons for Daily Living'' (Graam, 2020)
* ''Power Within: The Leadership Legacy Of Narendra Modi'' (Penguin Random House India, 2024)

==See also==
*[[Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement]]
*[[Swami Vivekananda]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Balasubramaniam, Ramaswami}}
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Harvard Kennedy School alumni]]
[[Category:Indian expatriates in the United States]]

R Balasubramaniam - Revision history

AngelesEller0: created first article w/ infobox...