Anil K. Rajvanshi

Anil Kumar Rajvanshi is an Indian academic, mechanical engineer, and pioneering researcher in the fields of sustainable rural development, renewable energy, and frugal innovation. Operating at the intersection of high-technology engineering and grassroots socio-economic development, Rajvanshi serves as the Director and Honorary Secretary of the Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), a non-governmental organization based in Phaltan, Maharashtra.

Regarded as a foundational architect of India's Electric rickshaw revolution and decentralized rural energy policies, Rajvanshi has dedicated over four decades to engineering solutions tailored to the resource constraints of rural populations. His interdisciplinary approach bridges mechanical engineering, agricultural ecology, and ancient Indian philosophy, earning him the moniker of a "spiritual engineer". In recognition of his contributions to the application of science and technology in rural India, he was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honor, in 2022.

Early life and Education Rajvanshi was born and raised in Lucknow, India. He completed his higher secondary education from St. Francis' College, Lucknow in 1966. He obtained a B.Tech (1972) and M.Tech (1974) from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. His Ph.D in mechanical engineering was completed at the University of Florida, in 1979.

Career He has been the director of NARI at Maharashtra, India since 1981. Prior to taking this position he served on the faculty at the University of Florida. Rajvanshi has more than 45 years of experience in renewable energy research, rural and sustainable development. He has more than 350 publications and 7 patents to his credit.

Awards Rajvanshi has been inducted into the Solar Hall of Fame (1998). He has received the Jamnalal Bajaj Award in 2001, the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) award in 2002 and an Energy Globe Award in the AIR category in 2004. In 2009 he received the Globe Award for Sustainability Research. In 2014, he became the first Indian to receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Florida. He has been given the Distinguished Alumnus Award, 2022 by Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. In 2022 he was given one of the highest civilian award of India Padma Shri.

Books and writings 1970s America - an Indian Student's Journey Nature of Human Thought Romance of Innovation - A human interest story of doing R&D in rural setting A Life of an ordinary Indian - An exercise in self-importance Exploring the Mind of God Exploring Deep Science in Patanjali Yoga Sutras What is Thought?-Neurobiological and Physical Basis of Its Production, Transmission and Interaction with Matter Deep Science in Ancient Indian Philosophical Thought

Rajvanshi is a regular blogger for Times of India (Speaking Tree), Huffington Post, Thrive Global and South Asia Monitor. He is also a regular podcaster.