ABOUT MITRAz

At MITRAz (Moulding Intellect through TRaining And Zeal ), is a Sec.12AA-registered public charitable trust formed in 2017 in Puttaparthi, Anantapur Dist. Andhra Pradesh. The founders and the Director have a rich experience in volunteering and value-based initiatives of Education, under the Sathya Sai group of institutions. As passionate educationists, we provide skill development courses (free of cost) to students from rural backgrounds.
MITRAz Skill aims to uplift young lives by providing standardized skill training for those who have basic education, to become self-sufficient. It is a project that is first of its kind in Puttaparthi which focuses on imparting a blend of technical skills, soft skills and human values. In essence, MITRAz is not only committed to creating confident/ transformed rural youth but also rural communities.
As an NGO working at the grassroots level in rural India, we continuously identify and initiate numerous service activities to deal with pressing community problems that require immediate attention.
In our pursuit towards social work to serve our community, we launched First Steps- Connect, Grow, Bond Program on 19th January for year 9-12 Government School students with a focus on skilling them. The vision of MITRAz Foundation is to bring about a sustainable change in the lives of young men and women through an innovative curriculum that helps develop careers. We wish to focus on career guidance (through counsellors and personality development modules) so that the participants can chart out their success journey. Link to First Steps – Connect, Grow, Bond page
Starting April 2023, we have extended MITRAz Skills training in IT and Analytics sector co-branding with interested Analytics / Consulting firms in Corporate India. At MITRAz, we see great opportunities in this domain and are keen on creating a program that would help usher change for businesses.
Driven by a determined spirit of seva, we are constantly on the lookout for opportunities to engage meaningfully with our community and make the world a better place.
Our deepest gratitude to our Corporate Sponsors and Well-Wishers for supporting our MITRAz Skills Program. We could not have achieved our goals without your never ending support and encouragement.
1. Tata Trusts for FY 2019-2021
2. Titan Company for FY 2021-2022
3. Zoho Corporation for FY 2022-2024

ABOUT MITRAz

At MITRAz (Moulding Intellect through TRaining And Zeal ) we believe that societal transformation can happen only when we work for change at the grassroots level. As passionate educationists with vast experience in social work, we provide skill development courses (free of cost) to students from rural backgrounds.

Our Inspiration

Vision

To build a responsible, caring & service-driven community by channelizing the inherent potential in individuals towards societal transformation.

MISSION

To enrich the lives of individuals by empowering them with skills, a continuous learning approach to life and a larger commitment to serve the society through inculcation of human values.

Values

Vision

To build a responsible, caring & service-driven community by channelizing the inherent potential in individuals towards societal transformation.

MISSION

To enrich the lives of individuals by empowering them with skills, a continuous learning approach to life and a larger commitment to serve the society through inculcation of human values.

Values

We believe in
  • Integrity
  • Excellence
  • Commitment
  • Openness
  • Caring
  • In addition to the vision and mission, our work is driven by a set of core values. These core values are our foundation and it defines who we are and what we do.
    We encourage MITRAites to internalise and practice these core values.

    Our team

    Our Foundation is entirely driven by us, MITRAites, on the strategic direction by Trustees, wisdom of our Advisors, supportive donors and our motivated staff and volunteers, all of them committed towards our vision.

    Prof Sharada Subramanian

    She is the founding Trustee and Chairperson of the Foundation. With a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Central University, Pondicherry, she is currently an Associate Professor in Philosophy at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Puttaparthi, of which she is also an alumna. Additionally, she is also the Warden of the Institute’s women’s campus at Anantapur. For over 25 years, she has been associated with an integrated approach to free education and has been a mentor to young girl students in the campus.

    Seshu Prasad

    Seshu is currently the Senior Manager (Supply Chain) at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Whitefield, Bangalore. He has been Executive Assistant to the Director of Sri Sathya Sai Super-specialty Hospital at Puttaparthi. He believes in the value of relationships and networking and brings the combination of quality, team spirit and leadership to the team.

    Dr Kavitha Ranganthan

    Kavitha is the Associate Dean of Research and Chairperson of the Doctoral Program at T.A.Pai Management Institute, Manipal and an alumna of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. She worked at NISM, Mumbai, in policy research, initiated by SEBI and was Research Officer, Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission of the Ministry of Finance. She brings a deep analytic rigor and academic mentoring skills for the developmental needs of youth.

    Prof Madhu Veeraraghavan

    Prof Madhu Veeraraghavan is the Pro Vice Chancellor of [Management, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences], MAHE Manipal and MAHE Bengaluru Campus since April 01, 2023. He also holds the position of T A Pai Chair Professor of Finance at T A Pai Management Institute (TAPMI) and Dr. TMA Pai Endowment Chair in Management Research. He held the position of Director, TAPMI from 2017 to 2023.
    Professor Veeraraghavan’s research interests are in the areas of Behavioural Finance, Corporate Finance, Corporate Governance and the interplay between Auditing and Finance. He is a referee for several leading accounting and finance journals. He has published over 50 papers in international journals and has presented his work at top conferences in finance and accounting.
    He is a member of the Editorial Advisory and Review Board of the Accounting Theory and Practice (Elsevier) and Co-Editor of the Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics (JCAE). Professor Veeraraghavan has won many awards for his work in both National and International Conferences. Recently, he has been ranked 180 (Breadth 12, meaning the ranking is based on publications in the top accounting journals in the last 12 years) in the World in the Brigham University 2022 Accounting Research Rankings for his contributions to accounting research.

    Dr Madhuri Jagadeesh

    Dr. Madhuri Jagadeesh has worked as a Senior Physiotherapist for 27 years in the US and is currently a freelance Physiotherapist in Puttaparthi. She brings a strong people connect, professional approach and visualization abilities for the conception of projects. She has a keen understanding of the needs of specially-abled children and youth and has a fervent drive for community development.

    Prof U.S. Rao

    He is the former Dean of the School of Business Management and Finance and a former Principal of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam. Having worked in senior management capacities with Jyoti Labs, Alfa Laval, L & T etc, he brings a unique combination of consulting experience from the industry and academic expertise. He is the chief advisor to the team.

    Shyam Mohan

    Shyam Mohan is the Founder & CEO of Tier 1 Network, an agribusiness company built around smallholder farmer communities. A gold-medalist from the Oberoi School of Management and an alumnus of the Harvard Business School, he was the President and Managing Director for Griffith Foods Inc. for India and the Middle East. With a global footprint of leadership roles in F & B, hospitality and agriculture, he was responsible for backward integration program to the farms and sustainable sourcing of spices. His main focus is to improve the lives of smallholder farmers and making their contributions rewarding and fulfilling.

    Jagadeesh

    Jagadeesh has worked as a Senior Software Consultant for CISCO Systems, US and brings technical expertise and mentoring ability for youth. He has a strong detailing ability, an avid interest in DIY/vocational skills and a passion for philanthropy. His relentless determination and unconditional support has been instrumental in nurturing the project from the beginning.

    Hari Narayan

    He is the CEO of Manipal Foundation and Sr VP, MEMG International India Ltd. He has over 37 years of experience across various industries in Investment Management, Corporate Strategy, Mergers and Acquisitions including divestitures, Investment Banking, Corporate and Structured finance. As part of the Manipal Group Chairman’s office, he currently oversees and mentors early-stage Investments, is leading the initiative to set up a school of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, drives special initiatives and is a board member of investee companies in Home Care, Diagnostics. These years of expertise in the field of health and education has made him equipped him in curating innovative initiatives for the CSR wing of the group in areas of rural education and healthcare.

    Dr. Mrutyunjay Mahapatra

    He is a senior Banker, Digital Transformer, Strategic Advisor, Public Speaker, Professor of Practice, Fintech Mentor, Governance and Strategic consultant, Member of Corporate Boards. Last full-time employment was as CEO of one of the oldest and trusted large Banks of India and is credited with all-round transformation of the Bank. Member of the Governing Council of RBI Innovation Hub and Board of Supervision of NABARD, Member of Insurance Advisory Council of India.
    As Head of Strategy and Chief Digital Officer, he headed global strategy, payments, transactions, and transformation programmes of SBI. Prior to that he was CIO of the bank and led IT, Data and Analytics, innovation of India’s largest Bank and SBI Group. He is active in Public speaking, writing columns in newspapers and periodicals, working on boards, long distance running and mentoring. A violin enthusiast and he plays Hindustani classical style of violin.

    Murali Sundararajan

    Murali Sundararajan is the Chief Information Officer for Victoria’s Secret & Co., where he provides strategic vision and direction for all global technology efforts across stores, e-commerce, infrastructure, security and enterprise operations.
    Murali has an established career in retail technology. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President for digital, stores, web infrastructure and technology innovation for VS&Co. He played an integral role in developing the business’ e-commerce platform, mobile and store applications, as well as support for stores nationally and internationally.
    Prior to this, Murali held various leadership positions at L Brands, where he was responsible for the development of e-commerce platforms, mobile and store applications for Victoria’s Secret, PINK and Bath & Body Works. He also spent 15 years at Lowe’s Inc. as the director of infrastructure and integration architecture. During his tenure at Lowe’s, the retailer grew from $10B in annual revenues to nearly $70B.
    Murali has served on the Board of Victoria’s Secret India Private Limited, the company’s Bangalore home office location, Board member in ANSR since 2023, and is a Customer Advisory Board member for Mad Street Den, computer vision and Artificial Intelligence Company.

    Savitha Ranganathan

    She is an alumna of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Puttaparthi, is the Secretary of the Foundation and heads the Skill Development project as Director. She has been a teacher and a Course Co-ordinator for training the unskilled youth in communication skills and personality development. During this phase, the passion to train youth towards success in life was kindled. She feels strongly about the needs of under-skilled youth for good jobs and also for a general positive direction in life.

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    Form MITRAz Foundation

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    Upskilling Youth

    Through MITRAz Skills training, we nurture the potential of rural youth– especially first-generation learners—through free skill and career readiness programs that combine technical training, soft skills, and human values.
    Explore our Courses
    Information Technology
    Business Development Executive (BFSI)
    General Duty Assistant (Healthcare)
    Tally Prime

    Our Impact

    Did you know?

    In 6 years, we have trained 1,625 students—75% placed, many becoming the first earners in their families.

    What Makes Us Special!

    We don’t just teach skills—we build confidence, dignity, and real-world readiness.
    IT Training –
    Learning by Doing
    Our students work on live projects in collaboration with Zoho, MIT MAHE Bangalore, and more, guided by experts from EY, Deloitte, and Wipro—gaining real-world skills beyond theory.
    BFSI Training –
    Soft Skills that Make a Difference
    We build technical, communication, and interpersonal skills essential for sales and front-desk roles. Students visit banks and businesses, gaining real-world exposure and confidence for the job market.
    GDA (Healthcare) –
    Care from the Heart
    Many of our GDA learners are 10th-pass women and single mothers seeking stability. This course gives them dignity, real-world hospital experience, and the confidence to enter the workforce with pride.
    Tally Essential –
    For Businesses & Careers
    Tally Essential is for everyone—students entering accounting and MSME owners managing their business. From billing and bookkeeping to GST, we teach Tally hands-on, empowering learners with real, practical skills.

    Next Phase (FY 26–27)

    Co-create industry-led courses with corporates for market-ready training.

    Introduce blended digital learning with AI and future-tech modules.

    Build sustainability via local trainers, alumni mentors, and community ownership.

    Create an alumni tracking system to measure long-term career growth and impact.

    Clean Parthi, Green Parthi

    Empowering Youth Through Caregiving
    MITRAz promotes earth-friendly habits through waste management, tree planting, and sustainable practices. Since 2019, our Clean Parthi, Green Parthi initiative has mobilized youth, students, and volunteers—cleaning Puttaparthi’s riverbanks and hosting a 350-participant marathon with Sri Sathya institutions. Now, with the Puttaparthi Municipality, we’re phasing out single-use plastic and improving waste segregation to recycle more and reduce landfill waste. Beyond clean-up drives, our efforts are expanding. Together, these steps make Clean Parthi, Green Parthi not just a movement, but a way of life—nurturing responsibility, pride, and a cleaner, greener Puttaparthi for today and tomorrow.
    Community Awareness Campaigns
    Engaging households and shopkeepers to adopt cloth bags and eco-friendly packaging.
    Tree Plantation Drives
    Planting and nurturing native species to increase green cover and combat rising temperatures.
    Composting & Organic Waste Management
    Turning kitchen waste into organic manure for community gardens.
    Green Education for Children
    Workshops and nature walks for school students to build lifelong eco-consciousness.

    SnehaMitr – Caring for the Elderly

    Launched in 2023, SnehaMitr is MITRAz Foundation’s flagship eldercare initiative in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh. The program delivers professional home nursing and caregiving for seniors with chronic conditions like dementia, cancer, and Parkinson’s. With limited access to affordable, quality elder care in the region, SnehaMitr fills a crucial community need.

    Empowering Youth Through Caregiving

    SnehaMitr is closely linked to MITRAz Skills’ General Duty Assistant (GDA) Healthcare program, run in partnership with Tata Strive since 2019.

    How We Work

    Hands-On Training
    Students undergo classroom learning, practical sessions, and 40+ days of on-the-job hospital training.
    Local Placement
    Caregivers serve elders in hospitals, clinics, and homes within Puttaparthi, avoiding migration and maintaining community ties
    Inclusive Care
    Services are offered regardless of financial status, with funding support ensuring access for all elders
    Continuous Monitoring
    Feedback from elders and families ensures high-quality, compassionate care.

    Unique Approach

    Vertical Integration
    Training, certification, and placement are handled within MITRAz for seamless transition into caregiving roles.
    Local Recruitment
    Employing youth from surrounding communities ensures dedication, reduces attrition, and strengthens community bonds.
    Enhanced Support
    Alumni caregivers return to mentor new batches, fostering continuity and inspiration.

    Unique Approach

    Youth Empowerment
    453 students enrolled in GDA training since 2019, with 90% successfully placed locally or outside.
    Improved Elder Care
    Seniors receive professional, empathetic care at home, addressing mobility, medication, and companionship needs.
    Community Development
    The program simultaneously tackles unemployment and enhances healthcare access for underserved elders.

    Next Phase (FY 26–27)

    Expand Training: Include physiotherapy, patient communication, and advanced caregiving practices.

    Strengthen Placement Networks: Collaborate with more local hospitals, clinics, and homecare providers.

    Alumni Mentorship: Formalize alumni guidance to inspire and train new batches.

    Expand SnehaMitr Services: Extend structured eldercare support and create sustainable employment opportunities.
    First Steps – Connect, Bond, Grow

    Growing With Purpose

    At MITRAz, we believe effective learning begins with strong connections between students and educators. Many secondary school students struggle to identify their academic interests, career goals, and personal strengths. The First Steps program bridges this gap, empowering rural children with foundational knowledge, life skills, and career guidance.

    Our Focus Areas

    With First Steps, MITRAz empowers rural youth to connect, bond, and grow — building the skills, confidence, and aspirations for a bright future.
    Foundational Literacy & Numeracy
    Strengthening language and analytical skills for Grades 8–10.
    School-to-Work Transition
    Equipping students with vocational and reasoning skills for higher education and future careers.
    Connecting Underserved Communities
    Ensuring equitable access to quality education in rural areas.

    Program Highlights

    Pilot Launch

    Began January 2023 at Chinnapalli Government School, later expanded to other Government and rural schools.

    Reach & Impact (Jan 2023 – Oct 2025)

    Curriculum for Grades 8–10

    Began January 2023 at Chinnapalli Government School, later expanded to other Government and rural schools.
    English & Reasoning Club
    Master communicative English and analytical thinking
    Eco &Sustainability Club
    Learn to protect and nurture our environment
    STEM Innovation Club
    Explore science, technology, and creative problem-solving
    Tech & Digital Skills Club
    Gain hands-on digital literacy and tech expertise

    Innovative Pedagogy

    Our classrooms use Activity-Based Learning (ABL) and the LSRW model (Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing) to ensure students learn at their own pace through hands-on experiences. Faculty follow the “I do – We do – You do” methodology

    Achievements So Far

    Created a safe, inspiring environment for rural children to build confidence, teamwork, and aspirations.

    Launched Language and Analytics & Reasoning classes to strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

    Motivated students to explore scholarships and higher education beyond government school pathways

    Next Phase (FY 26–27)

    Expand to 8–9 additional rural schools, reaching 400+ students

    Introduce Digital Skills Training: Python, no-code/low-code technologies, and digital literacy

    Enhance Scholarship Readiness: Competitive exam coaching and analytical skill development

    Continue Holistic Learning: Creativity, cultural exposure, and values-based education

    Tally Prime (Online)

    A 8 week practical certification course in Tally Prime, equipping learners to manage real-world accounting, taxation, and inventory operations confidently.
    Course Content :
    Fundamentals of Accounting & Bookkeeping
    Day-to-Day Transactions, Ledgers & Journal Entries
    GST, TDS & Tax Computation through Tally Prime
    Inventory & Stock Management, MIS Report Generation
    Digital & Communicative English
    Who It’s For:
    Students & graduates building a career in accounting or finance.
    Jobseekers in accounts, admin, or operations Small business owners managing their own books Professionals looking to upskill in accounting software

    General Duty Assistant (Nurse Assistant / Care Taker)

    A 12-week hands-on healthcare program that trains learners to support nurses, assist patients with daily and medical needs, and deliver compassionate eldercare while building critical workplace skills.
    Course Content :
    Healthcare Skills – Assisting Nurses, Insulin Injections, IV & Oxygen Management
    Emergency Care – First Aid & Critical Response Procedures
    Elderly Support – Relief and Assistance for Senior Citizens
    Personality Development – Spoken English, Life Skills, Communication, Workplace Readiness, Interview Preparation
    Who It’s For:
    Class 10 pass students, school leavers, or career seekers looking to enter the healthcare and eldercare sector with a balance of clinical and soft skills.

    Banking, Financial Services & Insurance (BDE–BFSI)

    A 12-week intensive program preparing learners for entry-level business development roles in BFSI. It blends financial domain knowledge with sales, digital tools, and communication to thrive in client-facing careers.
    Course Content :
    Domain Knowledge – Banking & Insurance, Stock Markets, Mutual Funds
    Sales Skills – Lead Generation, Sales Processes, After-Sales Services, CRM Tools
    Digital Skills – MS Office, Google Docs, Canva, SQL, Python, Power BI, Financial Planning
    Communication – Spoken English, Email Writing, Human Skills, Call Handling
    Workplace Readiness – Resume Building, Interview Skills, Grooming
    Who It’s For:
    Fresh graduates, final-year students, or early-career professionals aiming to enter financial services with strong foundations in sales, finance, and client engagement.

    Data Analysis & Web Technologies

    A 24- week future-ready program that develops full-stack developers and data analysts, blending coding, data visualization, and career readiness skills for IT and analytics roles.
    Course Content :
    Full Stack with Python – HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, JavaScript, ReactJS, Flask
    Data Analysis with Python – Pandas, NumPy, Matplotlib, Seaborn
    Business Intelligence Tools – Advanced Excel
    Who It’s For:
    Fresh graduates, jobseekers, and professionals seeking careers in IT, web development, or data analytics.
    Purpose CodeP1303
    Name of the Beneficiary MITRAz Foundation
    Account Number :   41341984321
    Bank:                              State Bank of India
    Branch:                           11, Sansad Marg, New Delhi Main Branch (NDMB) – 110 001
    Branch Code :              00691
    IFSC Code:                    SBIN0000691
    SWIFT Code:               SBININBB104
    Purpose Code:               : P1303 (It is mandatory)

    QR Code

    Our UPI ID

    Our Bank Account Details

    May 2021- RISING TO THE CHALLENGE

    Free Vegetables delivered at home for the needy

    In May 2021, we initiated a free service to purchase and deliver fresh vegetables to underprivileged COVID+ patients in quarantine or isolation in the village areas surrounding Puttaparthi. We also started supplying medicines and serving Sai Protein to patients admitted at the Dharmshala Covid Care Centre in Puttaparthi. Both initiatives have significantly contributed to the well-being and successful recovery of dozens of poor patients.

    Free online yoga and wellness classes

    On May 18th 2021, the Foundation started free online wellness classes. Classes include yoga, breathing exercises and acupressure sessions and take place every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 5 pm for 30 minutes. These fun-filled interactive sessions are aimed at improving the physical health and emotional well-being of participants and are open to all. We are thrilled that the classes are being attended regularly with such an overwhelming number of enthusiastic participants. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81089339228

    Andhra Pradesh COVID Helpline

    On May 6th, 2021, in partnership with Sai Krushna Trust, MITRAz Foundation set up the Andhra Pradesh COVID Helpline ( 040-48213300). This service provides verified news related to COVID-19 and authentic information on oxygen support, hospital bed availability and ambulance services. It also provides tele-consultation and counselling to Covid patients with the help of volunteer doctors and certified counsellors. We have helped hundreds of needy people since setting up this helpline and have been widely appreciated for this service.

    Breaking the barriers – The story of a young man on the path of growth

    He saw success around him, but he didn’t have access to it.
    He knew the life he wanted, but didn’t know where to start.
    He was undeterred by failure, but language was a barrier.
    His thinking was defined, but his presentation was not refined.