Raghavendar Askani was born on the 1st of April, 1993 in Wanaparthy in a family of farmers, Raghavendar secured a Post Graduation degree in Economics from Osmania University. Extremely passionate about social service, he actively participated in various social activities since his intermediate. He has been a part of student unions, non-profit organizations like youth organizations, research think tanks, and a few International networks.
Raghavendar received a Bachelor's degree In Political Science and Economics at Palamuru University. then studied a Master of Arts in Economics at Osmania University.
Raghavendar is a social entrepreneur, Classical Liberal and an anti-corruption activist, He is the Founder and General Secretary of Youth Parliament Program and Co-founder of Swatantrata Center, an Indian based public policy think-tank. Also extended services as a National Coordinator of Youth for Better India. He associated as a Development Consultant with various Indian and International non-profits.
Against corruption Movement:
Raghavendar have been a foundation point of Loksatta party in 2009, slowly moved towards student activism after drawing inspiration from Dr. JAYAPRAKASH NARAYAN and his Youth for Better India(YBI) campaign, the Youth organization promoting strong anti-corruption as National Co-Ordinator and established a massive movement against corruption in India and organized many anti-corruption walks like Dandi March II (an event organized globally in more than 60 cities to bring Strong & independent Anti-corruption institution in India) in United Andhra Pradesh. Also conducted more than 30 rallies in rally in Mahbubnagar District supporting anna hazare Movement for strong Jan Lokpal, Lokayukta Bills. he also started working with the Outreach & training division of Foundation for Democratic Reforms, India's leading think-tank and research-resource center for promoting democratic institutions and formulating fundamental reforms in democratic and governance spheres and in critical areas of public policy which supporting Youth of better India to train young leaders, Citizenship on Leadership and management skills. Organized 1-Day, 2-day,3-Day Training Programs (34 Towns of AP). ANNA HAZARE MOVEMENT is My first step into social activities has seen in the limelight during one of India’s biggest movements against corruption lead by Anna Hazare to bring the Lok pal bill. He did his part in this movement by mobilizing public reaching out to their homes and youngsters with public meetings, rallies, etc. he alone succeeded in gathering more than 20000 supporters for the cause also collected close to 15,000 signatures in support of the Lokpal Bill, Lokayukta to be sent to New Delhi.
Right to information act:
Fees Reimbursements Movement and he had applied for the Right to Information Act info enquiring about fees Reimbursements in the Palamuru University under All private Degree colleges he Used RTI (2013) to grant fee reimbursement for degree students in Mahbubnagar(dist.) In this effort, a total of 61,328 rightful students across 92-degree colleges (Palamuru University, India) from 2003 to still who are studying continuing could complete their degree without paying a single rupee from their pockets. major achievement saved more than 1 billion Government Funds.
Youth Parliament Program:
Seeing people discussing their problems, he was moved by the interest and urge of the youngsters about social change. Instead of making emotional statements, I thought of empowering them by educating them about what is happening in the making of the constitutional process. The youth parliament Program is designed to make youngsters participate in a mock parliament as legislators. The selected speaker will be introducing mock bills, question hours and other aspects just the way legislator system. This program has just completed its 9 sessions and is attracting many colleges and Universities throughout the two states.
Citizen's Charter bill : One big step towards curbing corruption, Many ideas have been implemented to stop the practice of corruption since independence. One of the biggest steps towards achieving it is, right to service act, which has been proposed by Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan in the form of bill to the central government body through FDR (Foundation for Democratic Reforms). FDR is now conducting a series of youth parliament sessions in various colleges reaching thousands of students under the leadership of Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan Through these sessions, the Youth Parliament Program team has collected opinions from a large section of educated people and innovative youngsters and working on including these ideas in the right to service act. The Telangana government was the first to step ahead on implementing it, handed the drafting work to Nalsar Law University. Now Dr. JayaPrakash Narayan, with the support of youngsters is playing a key role in finalizing of RTS act bill, as it contains opinions and new ideas from many sections of society. And Andhra Pradesh Public Services Delivery Guarantee Bill 2017 implemented.
Education Bill : The Youth Parliament Program didn’t seize just to be a learning program. The education bill from Youth Parliament is the first of its type which is completely prepared from youngsters adding various needed elements about the education system and we submitted it to the state legislative committee, National human resource development For the first time, youngsters are introducing a bill into parliament. Our team who are monitoring the preparation process have already taken suggestions and proposals from more than 40000 students.
Impact on Society: Through Youth Parliament sessions across the state of Telangana we were able to identify, engage and nurture some of the brightest minds and we could mentor them to pursue their dream for a Better India through various initiatives like internships, opportunities in Civil Society Organizations, Think Tanks and CSR initiatives. We created the next generation of leaders. Many of them are changing the society in real time through Right to information act- RTI and Public interest litigation -IPL and creating Policy’s and honest youngsters are contested in elections in Telugu states. Especially youngsters are understanding the parliamentary process and they respect the law. understanding that respect for rules is essential for conducting any discussion systematically and effectively. enhance decision making abilities he can promise that our work has deepened Democracy and also enhanced community participation with each of our initiatives. he can say with confidence and conviction that we were able to mentor a good number of spirited Youngsters with Character and Competence for Nation Building. As part of it we were able to engage 1000s of spirited youth in these sessions and with our support and mentorship, some of them are today shouldering key responsibility in various government departments, Think Tanks and Civil Society Organizations
Swatantrata Center:
Raghavendar is also co-founder of Swatantrata Center and being part of the team, he contributed to the hosting of Policy Conclaves, Leadership Bootcamp, Policy meetups and Youth Parliament Programs and Swatantrata Yatra. The programs have immensely received support from Educational Institutions across India and made Swatantrata Yatra and Leadership Bootcamp successful. Swatantrata Yatra on Fiscal Responsibility, Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, Decentralization and Local Governance Started in Feb 2020 by Raghavendar and Venkatesh Geriti travelled across 3 states in south India covering 5 major cities reached to more than 5000 people. Its mission is to connect people with the Libertarians and leading policymakers and co-learn with future leaders who are passionate about nation building. The Swatantrata Program has created a platform for the youth to present their ideas, brainstorm and strategize that would help in shaping the policies of economic growth with inclusiveness and sustainability. In a pandemic, Swatantrata has been a pioneer in hosting one of the largest virtual conference #SWACON on Human Flourishing.
Raghavendar’s involvement with Youth Parliament Program, which allows youth to voice their opinions, ideas and act as a change agent in Building India, has created a considerable impact on matters such as Citizens’ Charter Bill and National Education Policy, Agricultural Policy. he contributed to the hosting of policy conclaves, leadership bootcamp, policy meetups, Youth Parliament and Swatantrata Yatra. In the Covid-19 pandemic, Swatantrata hosted one of its largest virtual conferences #SWACON on Human Flourishing.
Influenced by Nagabhairava Jayaprakash Narayan social movements he joined the Lok Satta Party
