About India Literacy Project
A catalyst for a 100% educated India
Enabling children in government schools to attain grade-appropriate skills and create pathways to productive careers – from classroom to career.
Our founding story
“If we don’t do anything, by year 2000, every second illiterate in the world will be an Indian.”
– Dr. Parameshwara Rao, 1989
India Literacy Project (ILP) was founded in 1990 in the United States by a group of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) inspired by the vision of Dr. Parameshwara Rao. A scientist trained in the U.S., Dr. Rao returned to India in 1967 with a mission to improve the lives of rural communities in and around the Visakhapatnam district.
Through his work, he realized that literacy was the foundation for lasting social and economic progress. Without basic literacy, people were unable to fully benefit from knowledge, opportunities, and development initiatives. At a time when India’s literacy rate was just 36% (1981 Census), he became a passionate advocate for educational change.
Dr. Rao traveled across the United States, inspiring Indians abroad to contribute to improving literacy in India. His efforts brought together a group of committed NRIs who shared his vision and established India Literacy Project—an organization dedicated to expanding educational opportunities and improving learning outcomes for children across India.
Our Mission
To enable children in government schools to attain grade-appropriate skills and build pathways to productive careers — from classroom to career.
Leadership
Venki VenkateshCo-Founder
Sandeep ShroffCFO
Minnie UppuluriNational Convenor
Padmaja S.Operations Coordinator
Rajkishore GovinduOutreach Coordinator
Divya ChannappaCA Chapter Coordinator
Uma VenkateshFinance Coordinator
Aravindan S.Projects Coordinator
Malini NagarajanGrants Coordinator
Manmohan JainChairperson
Pramod SridharamurthySecretary
Sashikumar NagarajanTrustee
Charu PuriTrustee
Pratima JagadeeshTrustee
Ambalavanan R.Trustee
H.S. SudhiraTrustee
Suchitra RaoAdvisor to Board
A.L. RangarajanCountry Manager
Ravi ManiProgram Director
Victor TauroProgram Director
Harish KumarProgram Manager, MDLS
Ramesh DonthaChapter Head, Hyderabad
Financials & transparency
ILP is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability, with annual reports and audited financial statements publicly available for review.