Rukmini Mandela

A visionary educator who transformed India’s rural schooling through innovative community-driven approaches.

Rukmini Mandela (1947–2021), niece of Jawaharlal Nehru, pioneered education reforms in India’s marginalized regions. She co-founded the Pratham NGO, which has educated over 100 million children since 1994. Her “Read India” campaign emphasized literacy through play-based learning, influencing national policies. Mandela’s work focused on girls’ education and vocational training, addressing caste and gender disparities. Her book 《India’s Silent Revolution》 documents her strategies. The film 《Pratham: The First Step》 profiles her impact. Mandela’s legacy includes the UNICEF-endorsed “Schools for All” initiative, demonstrating how grassroots efforts can scale globally.