एक चपाती आणि एक निर्धारः रमेश कसोंद्रा आणि ग्राम विकास ट्रस्ट

Ramesh Kasondra was born on 7 December 1963 into a farming family in the small village of Motibanugar, Gujarat — a drought-prone region where the land gave little and debt came easily. When he was four years old, his father died, leaving the family with no income. His mother worked as a daily wage labourer. Some days, he and his siblings ate only once. A single chapatti with water.

Ramesh excelled in school despite borrowed books and absent resources. A village elder, Mr Monabhai, used his personal savings to pay for Ramesh's 8th-standard fees, uniform, and study materials. Ramesh stood first in his class in 8th, 9th, and 10th standards, passing his 10th board in 1980 with 78%.

To pursue a Diploma in Civil Engineering at Tolani Polytechnic College, Adipur, Ramesh left his village. With no hostel money, he spent his first nights sleeping on pedestrian walkways near campus. He graduated with distinction in Civil Engineering in 1984 — and walked straight to Mr Monabhai and Mr Kanani to hand them the certificate.

In 1985, Ramesh joined the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme. Over 14 years he rose to Programme Organiser and completed rural development projects across tribal and drought-affected Gujarat. From his monthly salary, he had been quietly sponsoring children's education since 1989.

By 2001, with 58 children sponsored, he established Gram Vikas Trust — with his own home as the first office, his own savings as the first budget. Twenty-five years later, GVT runs programmes across education, women's empowerment, health, agriculture, and livelihood development. "I grew up in poverty, and today my life is devoted to the poor. I want them to live with dignity."