Vishnu Navda will be riding for the Biligiriranga Hills Tribal School run by the Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra

Vishnu Navda is a researcher at Microsoft Research India, where he works on problems related to mobile and wireless systems. He recently helped organize a workshop to discuss about the technical and policy issues pertaining to expanding Internet connectivity in India and other emerging regions.

“I am hooked to cycling as it turns out to be the most efficient means of commute in Bengaluru, more so during peak hour traffic. After BSA TFN09, I added a new dimension to my cycling routine¬¬. I realized that long rides can be fun too, especially when you are on a road bike with a peloton that is zipping through scenic countryside streets, and children are waving at you in every village you pass by. Now, 100 plus km in a day doesn’t seem that daunting anymore. This time around, I have the opportunity to not only ride 1000 km in 8 days, but also to make a difference in people’s lives. This is something I’ve never done before, and I’m quite excited with the prospect of helping improve education in the remote villages of BR Hills.”

He is a big fan of EPL football. He likes most animals and would fight for their rights, except the pesky pigeons and the cycle-chasing dogs.

Want to send him a snail mail?

Vishnu Navda
Microsoft Research India
“Scientia” 196/36 2nd Main
Sadashivnagar
Bangalore 560080
India
Tel : +91 (80) 6658-6000
+91 (80) 6658-6000
Fax : +91 (80) 2361-4657

Target Amount: INR 200,000
Collected Amount: INR 2,00,000

The BR Hills school for tribal children is located at the confluence of the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats. It is home to eco-systems that are unique to both the mountain ranges. The school which started with 6 students has now grown to a strength of 450+ students, and offers primary, secondary, high school, college and vocational training. Along with studies, the school imparts knowledge on the several plant and animal species that abound in the nearby forests and the children are taught to cultivate vegetables, medicinal herbs, poultry, bees and silkworms. Three among the first batch of tribal students have completed their post-graduation, with one of them holding a PhD.

This school has been set up by Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra (VGKK) an NGO that was founded by Padma Shri Dr H Sudarshan in October 1981. Most of the children who graduate from this school return to the community to help further education and other causes that VGKK stands for over 3 decades of experience that has enabled the school to adopt an integrated approach to tribal development in a sustainable manner.

The association of the Soliga tribe with the Doddasampige tree (Michelia champaka) is immortalized in their myth and they continue to revere it till date. VGKK believes in empowering tribal societies and achieving sustainable development through health, education, livelihood security and biodiversity conservation keeping their core culture intact.

Visit VGKK’s official website – http://www.vgkk.org