About us
Established in 2001, Sri Sri Rural Development Program Trust (SSRDP) under the aegis of Art of Living operates with a resolute focus on empowering India with a number of skill development programs and meaningful service initiatives. We aim to collaborate with best global practices, corporate thinking, accountability and highest governance standards, and transparency to create a model of sustainable development, which is a benchmark in the industry and can be replicated at scale. At Sri Sri Rural Development Programme Trust (SSRDP), we believe that the partnership of rural India with corporates, young urban India, the Government and other partner organizations is the key to creating a permanent & irreversible change for good.
Our Vision
We believe that every person deserves to lead a secure, prosperous, and dignified life.Â
Our Mission
Creating a permanent and irreversible change in the lives of economically challenged persons in the next five years, taking the number of beneficiaries to 10 million from the current level of 3 million being supported through various programs.
Our Strategy
Identify & address green initiatives, Skills training & other need-based issues in India, through sustainable development projects, training and entrepreneurship development.
Promote entrepreneurs and create a platform and infrastructure for the youth to take up income-generating activities in their neighbourhood.
Act as a bridge between urban & rural India for inter-cultural, knowledge, technology and human exchanges.
Our Team
Shri Ravi Bhushan SinghChairman
Shri Ravi Bhushan Singh is a distinguished leader in rural transformation, whose career spanning over four decades has been dedicated to empowering rural India through sustainable development, institution building, and community-led progress. He has held some of the country's most prominent leadership positions, serving as CEO of Organic India, Chief Executive & Vice President at Reliance Retail, Chief Operating Officer at Digital Green, Director – Commercial (South Asia) at CABI, and CEO of Bharat Renewable Energy Limited. Across these diverse roles, he has pioneered innovative models in sustainable agriculture, rural livelihoods, renewable energy, and agribusiness, bringing together governments, corporates, development institutions, and local communities to create lasting impact for millions of rural households.
As Chairman of Sri Sri Rural Development Programme Trust (SSRDP), the rural development initiative of The Art of Living, Shri Ravi Bhushan Singh is committed to advancing Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s vision of a self-reliant, prosperous, and value-based Rural India. Under his leadership, SSRDP continues to empower villages through skill development, livelihood, education, women’s empowerment, renewable energy, environmental stewardship, and integrated rural development for sustainable economic growth while strengthening transformative initiatives such as the Himalayan Unnati Mission (HUM). Guided by the belief that the true strength of a nation lies in its villages, he continues to champion development models rooted in human values, sustainability, and community participation—enabling rural communities to build a future of dignity, resilience, and opportunity.
Air Marshal Vijay Pal Singh Rana PVSM, VSM (Retd)Trustee, AOL-SSRDP Trust | CEO, Himalaya Unnati Mission
Air Marshal Vijay Pal Singh Rana PVSM, VSM (Retd) brings over 37 years of distinguished service in the Indian Air Force, where he held several key leadership positions, culminating in his role as Air Officer-in-Charge Administration (AOA). During his illustrious career, he made significant contributions to national defence and strategic operations, including Operation Kargil and Operation Parakram. He holds postgraduate degrees in Defence & Strategic Studies and Plant Breeding & Genetics, an MPhil in Sociology, and postgraduate diplomas in Public Administration and Business Administration.
As Trustee of AOL-SSRDP Trust and CEO of the Himalaya Unnati Mission, Air Marshal Rana is committed to advancing holistic and sustainable development across the Himalayan region. He provides strategic leadership to initiatives focused on education, skill development, rural livelihoods, environmental conservation, and community empowerment, helping create resilient and self-reliant communities while furthering the vision of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.
Shri Vishnu Kumar BhandariTrustee
Shri Vishnu Kumar Bhandari is an accomplished entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the Founder & Managing Director of Supertron Electronics Pvt. Ltd., a leading IT distribution company in India. Since 1993, he has successfully steered the organization with a vision centred on innovation, integrity, customer trust, and operational excellence, establishing Supertron as a respected name in the Indian technology industry.
Committed to the philosophy that business should be a catalyst for social change, Shri Bhandari founded the Supertron Foundation in 2016 to advance education, healthcare, skill development, and community welfare. Through initiatives ranging from digital education and rural healthcare to vocational training and child welfare, the Foundation has made a significant impact on underserved communities. As Trustee of the Sri Sri Rural Development Programme Trust, he continues to champion sustainable livelihoods, rural empowerment, and holistic development, reflecting his enduring commitment to nation-building through responsible leadership.
Shri Ramanujam MuralidaranTrustee
With over 25 years of dedicated service to The Art of Living, Shri Ramanujam Muralidaran has devoted his life to advancing Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's vision of human values, inner well-being, and social transformation. As a Trustee of Sri Sri Rural Development Programme Trust (SSRDP), he provides strategic guidance in furthering the Trust's mission of holistic rural development, drawing upon his extensive experience in leadership development, wellness, and community empowerment. Guided by the belief that lasting change begins with empowered individuals and value-based communities, he continues to strengthen initiatives that foster resilience, self-reliance, and sustainable development.
Throughout his distinguished journey with The Art of Living, Shri Ramanujam has facilitated many transformational programmes across India and internationally, empowering youth, educators, professionals, and communities through stress-relief, emotional well-being, and leadership development. He has also contributed to humanitarian and trauma-relief initiatives following natural disasters, mentored wellness leaders across Africa, and played a significant role in expanding the global reach of The Art of Living’s message through media and digital initiatives. His commitment to service and holistic development continues to enrich SSRDP’s vision of building resilient, self-reliant, and value-driven rural communities.
Shri Sushir LohiaTrustee
Shri Sushir Lohia is a Managing Director at Barclays Bank, based in Mumbai, where he heads the Risk Solutions Group for Asia Pacific and co-heads the bank's Global Treasury Coverage business for the region. Over a career spanning more than two decades at Barclays, he has built and scaled client businesses across Asia, advising some of the region's largest corporations on risk management, treasury, and capital markets. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science Engineering and an MBA in Finance from the University of Mumbai.
Sushir brings to SSRDP a rare combination of corporate rigour and grassroots commitment. A certified teacher of Sri Sri Natural Farming, he practices Vedic Agriculture on his own farm outside Mumbai and is deeply passionate about giving back to society. At SSRDP, he supports the Trust in strengthening governance, deepening corporate partnerships, and applying institutional best practices to programs that create sustainable livelihoods across rural India.Sushir brings to SSRDP a rare combination of corporate rigour and grassroots commitment. A certified teacher of Sri Sri Natural Farming, he practices Vedic Agriculture on his own farm outside Mumbai and is deeply passionate about giving back to society. At SSRDP, he supports the Trust in strengthening governance, deepening corporate partnerships, and applying institutional best practices to programs that create sustainable livelihoods across rural India.