There are leaders who teach, and then there are leaders who reshape the very landscape of a nation. Trilochan Sastry, Chairman, Founder Member, and Trustee of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), belongs to the rare category of individuals whose work quietly but powerfully rewrites the future of a country. His life story mirrors a mission—one rooted in integrity, courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment to public good.
Trilochan Sastry: From Premier Institutions to Purpose-Driven Leadership
At the heart of his inspiring journey lies a remarkable academic path:
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B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from IIT Delhi,
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MBA from IIM Ahmedabad,
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Ph.D. in Operations Research from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Most people would have used such credentials to climb corporate ladders. But Trilochan Sastry chose the tougher, less-traveled road—leveraging knowledge to serve society.
As a respected member of the faculty at IIM Ahmedabad and later Dean and Professor at IIM Bangalore, he influenced thousands of students, encouraging them to blend professional success with social responsibility. His academic excellence and authenticity earned him several honours, including the Best Young Teacher Award (1999) and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from IIT Delhi (2012).
But teaching was only one part of his mission.
Building ADR: A Movement for Clean Politics & Transparent Democracy
In 1999, when conversations around electoral reform were almost absent in mainstream India, Trilochan Sastry and a group of IIM professors planted the seeds of what would become a national wave of change—Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
Through persistent research, legal action and public campaigns, ADR made groundbreaking contributions, including:
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Forcing public disclosure of criminal, financial, and educational backgrounds of all election candidates.
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Making political funding more transparent.
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Establishing National Election Watch, a network of over 1,200 civil society organisations across India.
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Strengthening voter awareness, accountability and electoral integrity.
For these pioneering reforms, he received the prestigious Satyendra K. Dubey Memorial Award, CNN-IBN and NDTV recognitions, and accolades from multiple institutions that honour courage in public life.
Today, ADR is a cornerstone of India’s democratic framework—but its foundation traces back to the vision of one man who believed that democracy must stand on the pillars of truth and transparency.
Trilochan Sastry: Empowering Farmers Through Collective Development
Reform for Prof. Sastry does not begin and end with governance. He deeply understood another truth—India’s strength lies in its farmers. With this conviction, he founded the Centre for Collective Development (CCD) in 2004.
CCD’s mission is simple yet transformative:
Help small and marginal farmers become owners, not just producers, by forming sustainable cooperatives.
Through CCD:
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Over 25,000 farmers have been organised into cooperatives.
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Rural communities in drought-prone areas have gained access to markets, better incomes, and independence.
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Profits are shared equitably, ensuring every farmer becomes a partner in progress.
This model not only uplifts livelihoods—it restores dignity and confidence in rural households.
Farmveda: From Fields to the Future
To further strengthen the journey “from soil to success,” Prof. Sastry founded Farmveda, a brand that celebrates the power of farm-to-table entrepreneurship.
Farmveda creates popular packaged foods—ready-to-cook mixes, healthy condiments, chocolates, spices, oils and more—sourced directly from farmers. What sets it apart is its unique profit model:
All profits are returned to the farmers, turning them from cultivators into stakeholders.
In an era where rural distress often makes headlines, Trilochan Sastry shows what is possible when empathy meets innovation.
A Life Rooted in Ethics, Spirituality & Knowledge
Apart from his academic and reformist achievements, Prof. Sastry is also deeply connected to India’s spiritual wisdom. His book, “The Essentials of Hinduism: An Introduction to All the Sacred Texts,” reflects decades of personal study, time spent in monasteries, and a life-long pursuit of clarity and peace.
This dimension adds a rare depth to his leadership—one that balances intellect with intuition and activism with introspection.
Awards that Reflect a Lifetime of Impact
The recognitions he has received are testimony to his national influence:
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Satyendra K. Dubey Memorial Award (IIT Kanpur)
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Distinguished Alumnus Award, IIT Delhi
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Outstanding Contribution to National Development, IIT Delhi Alumni Association
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World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leader Award (2008)
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Toastmasters International Award (2011)
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Citizen Extraordinaire Award (2009)
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And multiple national recognitions from media houses like CNN-IBN, NDTV, and Times of India