Page 38 - EDII Report 113
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REPORTS 113                                                                                                                                                                             REPORTS 113
       EDII                                                                                                                                                                                    EDII












            Transcending




            to Create a                       World




                   . Rajasekhararaju’s story is in itself a book
                   of  wisdom.  Coming  from  humble
             Pbackground, he never waited for things to
             improve and opportunities to be presented before
             him. He carved his own trajectory and made it big.

             Rajashekhararaju’s  life  has  been  a  struggle.  He
             belongs to a family that earned its living by farming
             paddy. But this did not yield enough to help them   RAJASHEKHARARAJU
             meet  two  square  meals.  Barely  sustaining,   PGDMN 2008
             Rajashekhararaju only became stronger with every
             hardship that came his way. Right from childhood,
             for want of means, he learnt to make the maximum   was so different from the place I came from was
             of resources, a trait which he says helped him later   difficult but I credit the support that I received from   Cement  (B)  Ltd  for  Belagavi  (Karnataka)  and   way  they  take  each  day  as  it  comes  and  step
             at  every  step  and  he,  therefore,  could  generate   everyone at EDII which made me feel at home in a      Kadapa (Andhra Pradesh) regions.  Presently, he   ahead with the resolve to make the most of a given
             more than his peers from the available resources.  few days. Language barrier also distressed me.              is working as Manager- Administration (CSR, CA   day.  He considers hardships to have enriched his
                                                           But gradually everything started falling in place. I             and Sustainability) with Zuari Cement Ltd.    life  by  giving  him  experiences  and  the  ability  to
             Born  in  Prakasam  District  in  Andhra  Pradesh,
                                                           got the best exposure here. I saw field realities,                                                             think innovatively to deal with them.  A true social
             Rajashekhararaju,  did  his  schooling  from  an                                                               Rajashekhararaju  is  a  committed  social  worker
                                                          worked  there  and  got  a  chance  to  test  my                                                                worker, he swears by integrity, trust and respect.
             ordinary  government  school  and  completed  his                                                              and gives his all, when on the field. He has won
                                                          classroom learnings at the grassroots.”                                                                         He  signs  off  urging  everybody  to  contribute  in
             B.Sc.  and  M.A  in  Social  work  from  Acharya                                                               several prestigious awards that not just adorn him,   some way or the other to social well-being, “You
             Nagarjuna  University  in  Guntur.  He  heard  about   Rajashekhararaju feels his life experienced a sea       but also make his alma mater proud. Water Hero   don’t have to be a social worker to do your bit. Just
             EDII’s PG Programme in Management of NGOs    change at EDII. He worked hard at EDII, fared well                Award  in  2020,  National  Manufacturing  Today   try  to  spot  a  problem  in  the  field  of  education,
             from a friend and was convinced about pursuing it   and secured a good job for himself in the social           Award in 2014, National Green tech Golden Award   healthcare or any area which you believe in lacking
             but the decision was not easy for him as managing   sector.                                                    in 2014, CII Sustainability Award in 2016, ET Global   in  some  way,  and  make  your  own  small
             financial resources made everything appear bleak.                                                              CSR Leadership Award in 2018, National MT CSR
                                                          He  worked  with  EFFORT  organization  where  he                                                               contribution.  One  day  the  results  will  be
             His father took a loan to sponsor his education and                                                            Excellence Award in 2018, Smart AP Foundation
                                                          was team leader for NABARD project in Nellore for                                                               astonishing.”
             also borrowed money from a friend to help him pay                                                              Best CSR Award in 2018, Rotary Karnataka CSR
                                                          4 years. From here he moved up the ladder with a
             the fees. Rajashekhararaju took admission in Post                                                              Award in 2020 are just some of the honours that he   EDII takes pride in Rajashekhararaju’s work and
                                                          resolve  to  help  society.  He  successfully  worked
             Graduate  Diploma  in  Management  of  NGO                                                                     wears with pride.                             sends him best wishes in his journey of making the
                                                          with Ambuja Cement Foundation as Project Officer
             (PGDMN) in 2008 at EDII. He says, “It wasn’t easy                                                                                                            world a better place!!!
                                                          and then went on to become the Director of Bengal                 Rajashekhararaju  considers  his  family  as  his
             as I had never moved out of my hometown and so
                                                          Gram Producers Company Ltd. From 2012-2020,                       greatest strength and draws motivation from the
             adjusting at an entirely new place where the culture
                                                          he  has  worked  as  the  Head  of  CSR  in  Dalmia



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