Shri Balmiki Prasad Singh
Chief Patron - Hon'ble Former Home Secretary and Governor, Sikkim
Balmiki Prasad Singh serves as Chief Patron on the Governing Body of Respect India.<br />
He served as the 14th Governor of Sikkim from 2008 to 2013.<br />
A distinguished civil servant, he joined the Indian Administrative Service in 1964 and held several key positions in the Government of Assam and the Government of India, including Union Home Secretary, Union Culture Secretary, and Health Secretary. He represented India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka as Executive Director and Ambassador to the World Bank from 1999 to 2002.<br />
He was awarded the Gulzari Lal Nanda Award for Outstanding Public Service in 1998 by the President of India.<br />
He is a widely respected scholar and author, having written extensively on Indian culture, governance, and geopolitics. His notable books include The Problem of Change: A Study of North-East India, India’s Culture: The State, the Arts and Beyond, and Bahudha and the Post-9/11 World, all published by Oxford University Press. His latest book, The 21st Century: Geopolitics, Democracy and Peace, was published by Routledge.<br />
He was a Jawaharlal Nehru Fellow (1982–84), Queen Elizabeth Fellow at Oxford University (1989–90), and Mahatma Gandhi National Fellow (2007–08). In 2003, he received the Man of Letters Award from the Dalai Lama.<br />
He served as Chancellor of the Central University of Tibetan Studies, Sarnath, and was Chief Editor of the South Asia Series published by Oxford University Press, New York.<br />
He is educated in Political Science and completed his M.A. from Patna University at the age of 19.<br />
He currently continues to speak and write on issues of peace, democracy, culture, and global governance.
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Prof. M.P Singh
Patron, Former Professor of Political Science, University of Delhi
Prof. M.P. Singh serves as a Senior Fellow at the Centre for Multilevel Federalism, Institute of Social Sciences, New Delhi, and is currently a National Fellow at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla. He is a renowned scholar of Indian and comparative politics, with particular expertise in federalism, political institutions, and democratic governance.<br />
A former Professor of Political Science at the University of Delhi, Prof. Singh has held several key academic and administrative positions including Head of the Department of Political Science, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and Director of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi.<br />
Prof. Singh holds a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta, Canada, and has been a multiple-time recipient of Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute’s Faculty Research and Enrichment Fellowships. He has presented scholarly work at leading international conferences across the USA, Australia, France, Belgium, and Nepal.<br />
His academic leadership includes his tenure as Editor of the Indian Journal of Public Administration (2015–2019). Prof. Singh’s extensive publications, including books with SAGE, Routledge, Orient BlackSwan, and Pearson, continue to shape discourse in political science. As a nationally and internationally respected expert, his contributions significantly enrich the field of federalism and democratic theory in India and beyond.
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Prof. Basukinath Chaudhary
Patron - Professor, PGDAV College, University of Delhi
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Prof Rekha Sexana
Patron - Head of Department Political Science University of Delhi
Prof. Rekha Saxena serves as a Patron on the Governing Body of Respect India.<br />
She is a distinguished scholar and Professor of Political Science at the University of Delhi. An internationally recognized expert in Indian and comparative federalism, Prof. Saxena is the Honorary Vice-Chairperson at the Centre for Multilevel Federalism and a Senior Advisor to the Forum of Federations, Canada. With a Ph.D. from the University of Delhi, her academic specialization includes federalism, party politics, political institutions, and Indian democracy.<br />
Prof. Saxena has presented research at leading international conferences in the UK, Germany, Nepal, and Canada, and led major projects such as the Leverhulme Trust-funded “Continuity and Change in Indian Federalism.” She has served as Chair for the IPSA RC28 conference, and was a Faculty Enrichment Fellow under the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute. Her contributions include several papers on intergovernmental relations, gender and politics, judicial federalism, and the role of the Rajya Sabha.<br />
She has held affiliations with Queen’s University, McGill, and the University of Lethbridge. As an active member of professional associations and editorial boards, she continues to shape public discourse on Indian politics and governance.
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Shri Binod Kumar
Patron, Former ICAS, Government of India
Shri Binod Kumar serves as Patron on the Governing Body of Respect India.<br />
He is a former officer of the Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS), 1993 batch, and has held several key positions in the Government of India. Most recently, he served as Secretary of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) under the Ministry of AYUSH.<br />
Appointed to the NCISM in 2023, he led the commission with distinction until his superannuation on 31 January 2025. During his tenure, he contributed significantly to the promotion, regulation, and modernization of traditional Indian medical systems in alignment with the national healthcare agenda.<br />
Throughout his career, Shri Binod Kumar has been known for his administrative acumen and commitment to public service. He played important roles in financial management and institutional reform during his service in the Indian Civil Accounts Service.<br />
He continues to support initiatives in governance, public health, and social development through his association with various organizations.
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Shri Vinay Mani Tripathi
Patron
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Shri Amrendra Kumar
Patron - Senior Advocate, Delhi High Court
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Dr. Nirmal Gehlot
President - Founder and CEO Utkarsh Classes & Edutech Pvt. Ltd.
Dr. Nirmal Gehlot serves as President on the Governing Body of Respect India.<br />
He is the Founder and CEO of Utkarsh Classes, a leading educational institution based in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, that has transformed the landscape of competitive exam preparation in India. A first-generation entrepreneur and educationist, he has dedicated over two decades to making quality education accessible to students from all walks of life.<br />
Born on 13 August 1978 in Jodhpur, he began his journey as a tutor while still in school, following the loss of his father’s job. After completing his M.A. in Hindi from Jai Narayan University, he started Utkarsh Classes in a small two-room setup. With his vision and perseverance, the institution has grown exponentially, offering both offline and online education, including through the widely popular Utkarsh App.<br />
Under his leadership, Utkarsh Classes has reached over 31 million students and currently has more than 13.3 million digital subscribers. Thousands of learners from across the country have successfully cracked competitive exams with the help of Utkarsh’s resources and teaching methods.<br />
Beyond education, Dr. Gehlot is committed to social causes. He is the President of the Aadarsh Vidya Mandir Group and Rajasthan Divyang Seva Samiti, organizations focused on educational development and support for differently-abled individuals, respectively.<br />
He is known for his deep commitment to inclusive, affordable, and high-impact learning, especially for students in rural and remote areas. Through Utkarsh and his social initiatives, he continues to shape the future of education in India.
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Shri Shambhu Jha
Vice - President, Respect India
Shambhu Jha serves as the Vice President of Respect India, where he leads strategic initiatives focused on youth empowerment, cultural awareness, and the promotion of Indian knowledge systems. A dedicated Hindi educator with over two decades of experience, he has made significant contributions to the teaching and advancement of the Hindi language across diverse platforms.<br />
Rooted deeply in Indian values and literature, Shambhu Jha combines academic expertise with a strong commitment to social reform. His career spans not only education but also active involvement in grassroots social organizations working toward community development, cultural preservation, and inclusive education. His dual focus on pedagogy and social upliftment has positioned him as a respected voice in both educational and civic circles.<br />
As one of the founding members of Respect India, he has been instrumental in shaping the organization's mission to bridge educational and social disparities through digital innovation, language advocacy, and cultural initiatives. Under his leadership, the organization has launched several impactful programs that engage youth and promote the integration of traditional knowledge with contemporary learning models.<br />
Shambhu Jha’s vision, dedication, and innovative spirit continue to inspire meaningful change at the intersection of education, social service, and cultural renewal.
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Dr. Manish K. Chaudhary
Founder - Founder and General Secretary, Respect India
Dr. Manish Kumar Chaudhary, serves as a General Secretary, on the Governing Body of Respect India <br />
He is a distinguished scholar and Assistant Professor, Department of Hindi, Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi, is an academic, writer, and committed social leader with a distinguished career spanning education, media, and public service. He holds a Ph.D. in Hindi from the University of Delhi and has taught at several leading colleges under the University.<br />
Dr. Chaudhary is a scholar of contemporary Hindi literature, cinema, and media studies, with numerous published articles, edited volumes, and international presentations. As the Founder-President of Respect India, he has organized landmark seminars on education, aging, democracy, and cultural dialogue, fostering national and global conversations on pressing socio-political issues.<br />
He has represented India at global platforms including the Vishwa Hindi Sammelan (Fiji), Buddha Festival (Bhutan), and Vishwarang Cultural Festival (Mauritius). Dr. Chaudhary has also contributed as an editor, advisor, and convenor for various academic and cultural initiatives.<br />
With honors such as the Hindi Ratan Samman, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Memorial Award, and several leadership roles across NGOs, educational institutions, and cultural bodies, Dr. Chaudhary exemplifies academic rigor and social commitment.
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Prof. Mridula Bhatia
Executive Member, Professor, University of Delhi
Mridula Bhatia serves as an Executive Member of Respect India, bringing over three decades of academic excellence, leadership, and social commitment to the organization. A Professor of Economics at the University of Delhi, she has spent 30 years shaping young minds and contributing to academia with a keen focus on sustainability and gender equality.<br />
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Her academic background includes a B.A. (Hons) and M.A. in Economics, along with an M.Phil. in Business Economics from the Department of Business Economics, University of Delhi. Her specialization in non-conventional energy, particularly solar power, underscores her passion for sustainable development and environmental responsibility.<br />
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Prof. Bhatia has played a prominent role in university life beyond the classroom. She was entrusted with anchoring the Valedictory Ceremony during the University of Delhi’s Centenary Celebrations, an event graced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. She has also hosted and organized several high-profile university events featuring dignitaries such as the Vice President of India, the Lt. Governor of Jammu &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; Kashmir, the Election Commissioner of India, and other notable public figures.<br />
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A strong advocate for gender justice and student welfare, she currently serves as the Presiding Officer of the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) at the Non-Collegiate Women’s Education Board (NCWEB), overseeing the well-being of over 32,000 women students. She has also served as the Convenor of the ICC at Satyawati College, handling sensitive matters with compassion and integrity.<br />
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Prof. Bhatia's well-rounded personality reflects in her hobbies—swimming, fitness, music, and cinema—mirroring her belief in holistic well-being and balanced living. Her leadership, experience, and progressive outlook continue to enrich Respect India’s mission of inclusive education, sustainability, and empowerment.
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Prof.Sanjeev Kumar
Executive Member
Prof. Sanjeev Kumar serves as an Executive Member on the Governing Body of Respect India.<br />
He is Professor of Political Science at Zakir Husain Delhi College, University of Delhi, with over two decades of teaching and research experience. His academic interests span social and political philosophy, global political thought, vulnerability and disaster, citizenship and rights, peacebuilding and conflict resolution, and Gandhian philosophy.<br />
He is the author of Gandhi and the Contemporary World (Routledge, 2020), a critically acclaimed work underscoring the enduring relevance of Gandhian principles. His edited volumes Political Theory (Orient Blackswan, 2019) and Political Theory (Sage, 2021) are key texts in the Undergraduate Curriculum Framework (UGCF)-2022 for Political Science courses at the University of Delhi. His upcoming book, Conflict Resolution in the Twenty-First Century – Ethical and Psychological Dimensions of Gandhi’s Creative Non-Violence, is forthcoming from Springer in 2025.<br />
Prof. Kumar’s work has been published in leading platforms such as Economic and Political Weekly, Gandhi Marg, Indian Sociological Review, APA Studies, India Quarterly, The Indian Express, and Employment News Weekly.<br />
He has participated in over seventy-five academic seminars and conferences in India and abroad. He has held fellowships at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) and the Developing Countries Research Centre (DCRC), and is currently an Honorary Senior Fellow at the Centre for Ethics, Politics and Global Affairs, New Delhi.<br />
In recognition of his academic excellence and commitment to Gandhian thought, he was conferred the Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning by Respect India and Hansraj College in 2021, and an Award of Excellence by Gandhi Bhavan, University of Delhi, in 2020.
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Ms palak Srivastava
Relationship and HR manager, Respect India
Palak Srivastava currently serves as the Relationship and HR Manager at Respect India, where she oversees recruitment, talent engagement, and organizational outreach. In this role, she manages end-to-end hiring processes, coordinates impactful events, and collaborates with stakeholders to drive initiatives aligned with the organization’s mission. Her strengths lie in seamless project coordination and creating meaningful experiences for candidates and participants alike.<br />
A graduate in B.com (Honours) from Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi, Palak brings a multidisciplinary skill set built through extensive internship and leadership experience. She has worked with organizations like CountryEdu, Renukiran Foundation, and Serve-It Technologies, contributing to talent acquisition, market research, and social media strategy. Her contributions have led to measurable improvements in recruitment efficiency, user engagement, and fundraising impact.<br />
Palak has held multiple leadership positions, including Vice President at Eat My News, where she conducted interviews with global leaders and enhanced audience engagement. She successfully raised over ₹5 lakhs in sponsorships from major brands and led a team of 250 volunteers to organize large-scale events and campaigns. Her role in the NSS involved educating visually impaired students, preparing learning resources, and serving as a scribe during exams.<br />
She was honored with the Shugan Devi Maheshwari Memorial Scholarship, recognizing her as an outstanding undergraduate student at the University of Delhi. Palak also actively volunteers with The Robin Hood Army, participating in community food drives and outreach programs across underserved areas of Delhi.<br />
With a deep commitment to inclusive growth, human-centered leadership, and strategic communication, Palak Srivastava represents the next generation of socially conscious professionals making a meaningful difference through service and initiative
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