Inspiration
The story of New India in Amrit Kaal- "Atmanirbhar Bharat" as envisioned by our Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi is a combinatioh of "Modern, Progressive, Impactful, Inclusive, Compassionate and Courageously striding forward outlook" & "Cherishing the ancient tradition, culture and legacy as our backbone". A glimpse of the same can be seen in the New India's Indians who are filled with confidence and energy to "Think, Dream and Act Big"
Shashank Mani is one such Global Desi who has been working incessantly towards the goal of "Atmanirbhar Bharat" inspired by the iconic leaders of the century Swami Vivekananda, Deendayal Upadhyaya, and PM Narendra Modi. He brings ideas from the best of both worlds- "the calmness of Gandhi & the fervour of Mangal Pandey" & the best of both ages- "Modern Technology" and "Ancient Traditions & Culture". Interestingly, Shashank Mani hails from the land of Mangal Pandey, Purvanchal, which has produced many revolutionaries who stood up against East India Company in 1857 and later too marking an indelible contribution to independent India
Travelling through India & gaining ideas and courage
Growing up in a small town "Deoria" in Purvanachal gave Shashank a Dabangai attitude when it came to exploring the landscape around. He was just not afraid to venture out and around, even if the scenery was unfamiliar. He would accompany his grandfather Surtinarayan Mani Tripathi to explore his village, Pachpherwa in Gorakhpur near the Nepal border just to savour the majestic view of Himalayas. His family's tradition of serving the nation inculcated in him a deeper stronger bond with 'Deoria' and 'Bharat Mata'. His grandfather Surtinarayan Mani Tripathi served as the District Magistrate of Goarkhpur and was the founder member of Gorakhpur University while his father Lieutenant General Prakash Mani Tripathi served as the Member of Parliament twice. He loves India, beyond rhetoric. He discovered this love every time he would travel to any farthest or lesser-known corner of the nation and would get mesmerized by the beauty of the land and the simplicity of its people. A "Ghumakkad" since childhood; Shashank travelled to Kanyakumari in class Xl; way before he actually read and identified with the 'Ghumakkad Shastra' written by celebrated Indian writer Rahul Sankrityayan. He revisited the place when he started identifying with the philosophy of Swami Vivekananda at a deeper level.
Such was his passion to explore that he was the head of the Trekking and Mountaineering Club and also was the It's difficult to say whether curiosity made him a traveller or travelling gave him interest but this combination did push him to walk the path less trodden, without or despite fear. He, along with his IIT friends, became the first to raft in Narmada at the Jabalpur-Bhedaghat circuit. His team made a raft with bamboo sticks and tire tubes and even went to Rishikesh to understand and practice the art and science of rafting. Adventures like these enriched his life with experiences and lessons that he has shared in his first book "India: A Journey Through A Healing Civilization".
Exploring the world and an inspired Homecoming
His campus recruitment in Schlumberger post his B.Tech in IIT Delhi took him to several countries like Singapore, Yemen, Scotland, England, Greece, Nigeria, and many others. It was his enthusiasm and passion that took him to places and pedestals. This relentlessly curiosity introduced him to his ideal Swami Vivekananda's journey across the length and breadth of the nation and he decided to organize "Azaad Bharat Rail Yatra" in 1997 as part of India's golden year of independence celebrations. This YATRA became his reason for homecoming. He decided to return back to India and pay back to his motherland.
Coming back, he decided to work for the people of Deoria, Kushinagar, Purvanchal and India guided by the slogan "Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached" of Swami Vivekananda. Spending countless evenings under the famous and the oldest 'Vat Vriksh' - the Bargad (Banyan) Tree in Deoria and mulling over the idea of Arise and Awake' led him to the concept of Jagriti'- a Movement & an Organisation with a mission to "Build Middle India that hails in the Tier 2/3 cities through Enterprise-Led-Development" by creating networks & institutions and inspiring leaders in Middle India with a focus on "Inspiration, Innovation, and Incubation".
His idea of Jagriti took form of Jagriti Sewa anshtan(JSS) in 2001. JSS was a skill raining and mentorship institution aiming o provide outcome-based skills to local esidents of Purvanchal in order to nhance their employability. Started with ust one center in Deoria town, Jagriti has ow expanded to 15 outreach centres in Deoria district alone and has trained over 30,000 people impacting 20 lakh lives.
Discovering his own heroes and sheroes
Shashank has been inspired by many iconic heroes of India throughout his life. Inspired by Milkha Singh, Shashank started taking a keen interest in running from his teenage days when he got the chance to train with the railways athletic team. He would run with them matching their pace and energy without realizing that one day he would be part of IIT Delhi's relay team that would win the Gold medal in the IIT Sports Fest defeating the ever-champion IIT Kanpur. Under his leadership as Deputy General Secretary, Boards of Sports Activity, IIT Delhi secured its first ever victory in the history of Inter IIT Sports Annual Competition. He still manages to do a 5 Km run as Sub-30 twice a week. He believes the celebration of International Day of Yoga at the global level is one of the greatest contributions of PM Narendra Modi in regaining the glory for Yoga and sensitizing people towards physical fitness and wellness.
Inspired by Deendayal Upadhyay's concept of "Antyodaya" that calls for equal opportunities for even the last man standing, Jagriti focused on impacting every section of socirty directly through skill training and livelihood-focused programmes. Shashank has been mighty impressed with how 'Bharat' the nation and its small Tier 2 and Tier 3 district towns have marked their remarkable contribution in both the independence movement and in rooting the flourishing vernacular culture. He has been equally impacted by PM Modi's leadership and visionary ideas of "Collective Action" that initiated and succeeded mass movements like "Swachh Bharat Abhiyan" and has named his office in Deoria- 'Sabke Prayaas se Sabka Vikas Karyalaya'. His book "Middle of Diamond India"(MODI) is a tribute to India's Amrit Kaal and the ever-persistent and committed Middle India that makes and sustains India as the superpower of the world.
As a proud father of two daughters ‘Tarini’ and ‘Isha’ and a staunch believer of “Nari Shakti”, he idolises Rani Laxmi Bai or Manikarnika as an empowering role model for women across the globe symbolising the Indian tradition of “Nari Tu Narayani”. Her remarkable legacy stands as a timeless testament to the strength and potential of women to rise above adversity. He sees Manikarnika’s indomitable spirit, courage, and resilience as an inspiration for women to break societal barriers, fight for rights, and stand against injustice. As an opinion leader in real life and practitioner of women’s equality, he even organized “Upanayana”, the Janau Ceremony for his two daughters as a function in Deoria graced by Kiran Bedi, India’s first IPS officer and Former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry. His mother Shashi Mani founded Jagriti Sewa Sansthan that has been working incessantly for women's empowerment in Purvanchal. In 2015, Jagriti under chairmanship of Shashank spearheaded a Google India project ‘iSathi’ in 7 districts of Purvanchal that provided 17 lakh woman with digital literacy skills and created a network of 2300 women leaders who are now spearheading a transition in thought process of “Women Development to Women-Led-Development'' in New India.
OUT
NOW
Amazon hot release no. 1
MIDDLE OF DIAMOND INDIA
Middle of Diamond India proposes a revolutionary idea - that India has long ignored its largest and most talented segment, citizens in the Tier 2 and Tier 3 districts, its Middle.
The book reveals the hidden stories of those in its Middle who have been ignored owing to their location and language. By examining India's revolutionary past, its culture, its citizens, its innovators, and its spirit, the book illuminates this Diamond shaped India.
LEARN MORE BUY NOW