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SBI Youth for India Fellowship

Recognized as the flagship program of SBI Foundation, it is a 13-month long Fellowship that enables the nation's youth to work on rural development projects in partnership with experienced NGOs.

The Fellowship provides a framework for India's best minds to join hands with rural communities, empathise with their struggles and connect with their aspirations.

INITIAL YEAR

Launched on 1st March, 2011, the pilot batch had 27 fellows who successfully completed the Fellowship. The feedback for the concept was overwhelmingly positive from all the stakeholders, and its impact was substantial and notable on the ground.

The Program seeks to help India secure an equitable and sustainable growth path by :

  • Providing educated and passionate urban Indian youth with an opportunity to touch lives and create positive change at the grass root level in rural india.
  • Providing NGOs working on development projects in rural India with educated manpower whose skill sets can be used to catalyze rural development.
  • Promoting a forum for the Program alumni to share ideas and contribute to rural development throughout their professional life.
Projects

So far, we have built a network of more than 640+ alumni, who have made a difference at more than 250+ rural locations across 20 states of India. 70% of these alumni continue to be actively involved in the development sector.

OUR VISION

The programme seeks to help India secure an equitable and sustainable growth path by:

  • Providing educated urban youth with an opportunity to touch lives and create positive change at the grass root level in rural India.
  • Providing NGOs working on development projects in rural India with educated human resource whose skill sets can be used to catalyze rural development.
  • Promoting a forum for the Programme alumni to share ideas and contribute to rural development throughout their professional life.

OUR MISSION

To build a movement of passionate and sincere changemakers who bridge the rural urban gap, by:

  • Creating a trusted gateway for higher talents to flow into rural development, thereby reviving the grassroots development machinery and benefit marginalized communities.

OUR CORE VALUES

These core values are reflected in our conduct and guide us to positively impact the community, Fellows and partners.

1. RESPECT

We hold respect for an individual, as the cornerstone of YFI fellowship. We embrace diversity, value distinct opinions, encourage aspirations and appreciate unique talents to create a collaborative culture that is conducive to ideas. We believe in treating others as we expect to be treated.

2. SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

Healthy communities are the building blocks of great civilizations. Nations flourish when common objectives are put before personal goals. We, at YFI, encourage an environment where relationships are valued, distribution is fair and roles are played effectively. For there is no doubt that even a small service to the community makes the world a better place to live.

3. CREATIVITY

Unconventional is the new norm and out-of-the-box thinking is the new tradition. We, at YFI, value innovations and intend to create a culture where ideas are encouraged and nurtured. In our opinion, it is a simple yet imperative process that can be achieved just by changing our way of looking at problems. At YFI, we replace “What?” with “What If!”, “How?” with “How about!” and “Why?” with “Why not!” to create a new world of infinite possibilities.

4. FAIRNESS

Nature treats everyone equally. We draw our inspiration from nature to look at every stakeholder with the same lens. Well-chalked out policies, transparent operations and honest communication to all the stakeholders are carried out to ensure an unbiased conduct. We wish to cultivate this value in all the communities and individuals we touch because we believe that Fairness alone can bridge the urban- rural development divide.

OUR TEAM

We're all in this together

MR. SANJAY PRAKASH

MANAGING DIRECTOR & CEO, SBI FOUNDATION

MR. JAGANNATH SAHOO

PRESIDENT & COO, SBI FOUNDATION

MR. SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER & ADMINISTRATOR, SBI FOUNDATION

MR. GYAN PRAKASH

COORDINATOR & PROGRAM HEAD, SBI YOUTH FOR INDIA

IC - INTERNAL COMMITTEE

SBI Foundation is committed to the highest standards of inclusivity, probity, and accountability. We are determined to provide a work environment that is free from any form of unlawful discrimination or harassment by maintaining a workplace where all employees are considered equal and dignity of each employee is respected.
To know more, visit https://www.sbifoundation.in/internal-committee
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MR. SANJAY PRAKASH

MANAGING DIRECTOR & CEO, SBI FOUNDATION

Mr Sanjay Prakash joined SBI Foundation as the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer on 27th July 2022. Prior to this, he was posted as the Deputy General Manager (Industrial Relations) in the HR Department of SBI, Corporate Centre, Mumbai, for 4 years.
With a graduate degree in Science with honours in Statistics from Patna University, he joined SBI in the year 1990. He began his banking career with postings in small rural places in the Santhal Parganas of Jharkhand. Over the last 32 years, he has served in various positions, heading branches in rural and urban centres, handling IT projects, retail business portfolio, cross-selling business, and manning critical administrative positions in the State Bank of India.
He was the Regional Manager of the Jamshedpur Region in Jharkhand for 3 years. Later, he headed the IT Services Department and the HR Department at the Local Head Office, Patna. As DGM (IR), he was responsible for maintaining a cordial IR climate in the Bank through smoothly handling the Unions/Associations and taking care of the staff welfare measures. The high point was the COVID-19 management & operations during the challenging pandemic period.
Having served in many remote places, he has empathy for the people living in extreme hardship in underprivileged conditions and has a deep passion for the welfare of such communities. He has been actively involved in several community service measures during his various postings and is committed to doing a lot more for society, particularly for improvement in healthcare facilities in rural India and educational facilities for the marginalised class of society.

MR. JAGANNATH SAHOO

PRESIDENT & COO, SBI FOUNDATION

Mr Sanjay Prakash joined SBI Foundation as the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer on 27th July 2022. Prior to this, he was posted as the Deputy General Manager (Industrial Relations) in the HR Department of SBI, Corporate Centre, Mumbai, for 4 years. With a graduate degree in Science with honours in Statistics from Patna University, he joined SBI in the year 1990. He began his banking career with postings in small rural places in the Santhal Parganas of Jharkhand. Over the last 32 years, he has served in various positions, heading branches in rural and urban centres, handling IT projects, retail business portfolio, cross-selling business, and manning critical administrative positions in the State Bank of India. He was the Regional Manager of the Jamshedpur Region in Jharkhand for 3 years. Later, he headed the IT Services Department and the HR Department at the Local Head Office, Patna. As DGM (IR), he was responsible for maintaining a cordial IR climate in the Bank through smoothly handling the Unions/Associations and taking care of the staff welfare measures. The high point was the COVID-19 management & operations during the challenging pandemic period. Having served in many remote places, he has empathy for the people living in extreme hardship in underprivileged conditions and has a deep passion for the welfare of such communities. He has been actively involved in several community service measures during his various postings and is committed to doing a lot more for society, particularly for improvement in healthcare facilities in rural India and educational facilities for the marginalised class of society.

MR. SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER & ADMINISTRATOR, SBI FOUNDATION

Shri Sushil Kumar Verma assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer & Chief Administrator at SBI Foundation on February 1, 2024. With an illustrious career spanning over 28 years in the State Bank of India (SBI), Mr. Verma brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role.
Prior to his current role, Shri Verma held the position of Branch Head at the South Extension Part II Branch in Delhi. Throughout his career, he has gained extensive experience in various branch environments, with a significant focus on rural and semi-urban communities. This experience has instilled in him a deep understanding of the social and economic needs of these regions.
Shri Verma passionately believes in contributing to the well-being of others. He is committed to leveraging his financial expertise and leadership skills to support SBI Foundation’s mission of uplifting marginalized communities and making a positive impact on society.

MR. GYAN PRAKASH

COORDINATOR & PROGRAM HEAD, SBI YOUTH FOR INDIA

Mr. Gyan Prakash is leading the SBI Youth for India Fellowship Program.
He has been associated with the YFI family since 2015 and has spearheaded it with passion and belief ever since. Himself, a YFI Alumnus from the 2015-2016 batch, he worked with rural businesswomen in the area of alternative livelihood in Uttarakhand with the partner NGO CHIRAG.
With an M.B.A. from IIT Kharagpur and a B.E. (Computer Science and Engineering) from Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, he brings practical experience of over 13 years, including 10 years in the development sector and 3 years in the service sector.
Gyan’s areas of expertise include Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Management Consulting, Supply Chain Management, Program Management, developing multi-stakeholder partnerships and managing cross-functional teams. He integrates his capabilities, experience and passion through strategic initiatives designed to impact the community positively