Rajeev Aluru to Head Ekal Vidyalaya’s Houston Chapter
In a post covid world, Rajeev Aluru hopes to rewrite Ekal’s outreach strategies. (photo provided)
India-West Staff Reporter
HOUSTON, TX – Rajeev Aluru will lead Ekal Vidyalaya’s educational initiatives as its Houston Chapter president. At 41, he is the organization’s youngest head and declared the appointment as, “a divine opportunity that has knocked on my door.”
Underscoring the importance of education coupled with opportunity, Aluru drew attention to that fact that 40% of the schools are self-sustainable in five years – a reflection of Ekal’s effectiveness, he said. Simultaneously, Ekal is also tackling systemic issues such as corruption and female literacy at the grass roots level, he siad. In an Ekal village for instance, villagers held local politicians accountable about the money spent on the village development, a press release said.
In a post covid world, Aluru said there is the need to rewrite Ekal’s outreach strategies. His team is drafting a model to facilitate entrepreneurship, jobs, avenues to profits and an approach that will empower villages to a point where “they don’t need us anymore.” He intends to create a program to encourage donors to visit Ekal schools in India to witness firsthand how their contributions are benefiting millions of underprivileged children. While pointing out that Ekal is “winning on its own,” he adds that it could become more impactful by collaborating with organizations that align with Ekal’s mission and values.
Aluru’s journey with Ekal began in 2014 in North Carolina when he had attended a fundraiser dinner. He is a native of Ongole, Andhra Pradesh. A mechanical engineer from Auburn University, AL, he now works at Calpine, America’s largest generator of electricity where he heads the Analytics division and is responsible for optimizing assets worth $25 billion.
He has said he often turns to ‘An Ignited Mind,’ written by the late president of India, Abdul Kalam to remain inspired. His wife Srilatha is a software applications leader. They are parents to two sons.
