SANDEEP PANDEY'S BIOGRAPHY
Born to India's middle classes, Pandey studied at Benares Hindu University before
attending graduate school in the United States. While pursuing a Ph.D. in control theory at
the University of California-Berkeley, he joined V.J.P. Srivastavoy and Deepak Gupta to form
Asha (Hope), to support education for poor children in India by tapping the resources of
Indians abroad. The enterprising founders raised ten thousand dollars in one year, an
auspicious beginning for an organization that now claims over sixty chapters worldwide and
has disbursed nearly one million dollars for programs in India. After launching Asha,
Pandey himself returned to India, doctorate in hand. He taught briefly at the prestigious
Indian Institute of Technology and, in 1992, left the institute to devote himself full-time
to Asha's larger purpose: to bring about socioeconomic change in India through education.
In the Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh, Pandey confronted the impoverished world of low-caste
families and dalits, or untouchables. With local volunteers in the villages of Reoti and
Bhainsaha, Pandey has created schools that instill self-reliance and values for a just society.
Older youths participate in community improvement as volunteers and health aides. They are part
of what Pandey calls "the first grassroots volunteer base of Asha in India."
A fuller expression of Pandey's vision is the Asha ashram in the dalit village of Lalpur,
outside Lucknow. They follow a special Asha curriculum and fill the air with songs and stories
that convey the school's philosophy. The ashram also serves as a retreat center for Asha
workshops and provides simple health services for the community. It is introducing new
technologies and livelihood projects. To break down caste barriers, the ashram community
conspicuously violates upper-caste taboos against dalits and publicizes anti-dalit crimes and
abuses such as bribe taking by local officials.
He has been active in empowering marginalized communities as well as working on issues of
peace and justice. He has been a strong voice demanding de-nuclearization of South Asia and
walked over 1000 KM from Pokhran - the site of India's nuclear tests - to Sarnath - the site
of the Buddha's first teachings, creating awareness regarding the impact of nuclearization. He
has also been a strong advocate against religious violence and marginalization, actively
working to build an atmosphere of religious pluralism. For all these efforts he was awarded
the Magsasay Award in 2002 (one of the youngest awardees ever). The Magsasay Award is often
described as Asia's Nobel Prize and recognizes individuals forty years or younger for
outstanding work in the issues of social change in his or her community.
In spring 2005, Sandeep Pandey organized a 1000 KM march from Delhi to Multan (in Pakistan)
creating awareness through discussions and cultural programs on issues related to peace
between India and Pakistan. This was the first extensive grass roots level interaction between
Indians and Pakistani's in five decades.
Please refer to event schedule to see which session you can attend.