Our History.
1960s.
SRAI was conceived by a group of newly arrived Indian students and young professionals in the USA in the 1960s, who were in their 20’s and had experienced poverty in India directly or indirectly. The organization was started in Los Angeles area in 1968 as a chapter of similar organization the Bay Area of California. It had a lofty goal of helping India eradicate rural poverty. The pioneers, in fact, adopted a maiden name for the organization, Society for Rapid Advancement of India.
1970s.
Sometimes in late 1970s, the name of this society changed to Society for Rural Assistance in India. Many more joined the group and continued its work in to future years. The credit goes to Hasan Mulla, Asok Shah, Ajeet, Shah, Arun Ghosh, Jawahar Shah. Great kudos go to this latter group of individuals and their spouses who actually encouraged each other to continue the work to the current period.
The New Generation.
A few younger generations of members have a shown great interest in continuing these SRAI activities using the social media platforms and other modern techniques to raise funds and make more impact on the lives of India’s poor.
Young Director
Layla Raptis
In her freshman year of high school, Layla Raptis is a young member of our team who has taken a large interest in helping the organization.
Young Director
Tejas Nandi
Tejas Nandi is in his junior year of high school and has shows a lot of determination and passion for supporting the association and its activities.