I am one of those privileged people who got introduced to Dr Vasudeva Sharma – affectionately called as Vasu by his friends and colleagues. Vasu and I had several occasions to work together on the issues of child rights, education, children, schools and ensuring entitlements for children and communities and so on. There were several occasions through the India Literacy Project (ILP), Rejuvenate India Movement (RIM) and host of other organizations we had interface with this wonderful personality.  There were village visits (me visiting CRT working villages in Gadag or Chikkaballapur areas in Karnataka on behalf of ILP), partners meet (Vasu representing CRT making his pointers in at the Annual ILP Partners meets), evaluation visits (we jointly worked on evaluating SNEHA Kudligi’s work), Vasu working as a Resource person to ILP sessions and so on. 

In all these there is one common agenda – a single minded approach -how to enhance the work that is being done for the welfare or development of children? Children are at the core of whatever he does, like Gandhi’s talisman, his acid test is in what way this will benefit children. At times we get irritated, fed-up or give up, but our dear friend Vasu never gives up – he pursues with patience, persistence and perseverance. 

During the SNEHA study we did in 2012, there were heated discussions, debates and deliberations. These were on the study team findings, the role of Gram Panchayats, SDMCs, how SDMCs and BVS have become watchdogs at the community level for service delivery rather than glorifying them as quality testing units. Of course, by then SNEHA had done commendable work with AWCs, SDMCs, convergence with the government support and so on. Even with a credible NGO’s work, we were involved in these kinds of discussions showing the depth of understanding and commitment Vasu has. 

Vasu used to be our “nilaya vidwan” – one of our regular resource persons for ILP Partners meet. He played this role before becoming a ILP partner and continued after becoming a partner and maybe now he will do after phasing out as well. Some of the topics he dealt with were interesting and in-depth on the subject. For e.g. in August 2006 Partners Meet held at Hyderabad, he handled a topic on “Five year Plans and Indian Children”.  He will continue his mission of how the strategic changes for the development of the child from the current level towards where it should be. In 2014, Vasu played a pivotal role in celebrating the silver jubilee of UNCRC. Again in 2015, Vasu handled a session on National Policy on Early Childhood Care and Education- Curriculum framework and Quality Standards. In 2017 and 2018 – there were wonderful sessions by Vasu on SDGs and monitoring SDGs at microlevel. 

The role of Vasu, his CRT team towards the Right to Education Task Force in Karnataka is something known to everyone. ILP can take pride in associating with CRT and Vasu on this mission. Nagasimha also deserves a mention here for his role in taking it up through media, government and other stakeholders. 

CRT and Vasu’s leadership has played a major role in observing Child Rights Grama Sabha a success in Karnataka, which I can say is unique to the state. In other states, though it is observed, no such serious efforts or grassroots level presence or getting the children to meet the elected representatives at Vidhana Soudha Bangalore and the sheer process of facilitating this from children to gram panchayats to government officials and elected representatives proves that he is committed for the cause. No excuses. 

Vasu always has his humane approach towards fellow members of the society, he identifies issues while driving on the roads, his social media postings sharing his anguish and concerns, sometimes he will video record them or will share pictures – i used to wonder how come he does all these in Bangalore traffic while driving his own vehicle (that I don’t drive at all adding to this amusement at my end). 

Vasu – a great leader, social activist, child friendly person – he believes in people, democracy, and processes that things will change. Vasu is a great family man – I know he had a few conversations about his beloved parents, spouse and Shraddha. I don’t have much acquaintance with the family members but I know that he is gentle, calm, composed and a great achiever who tries to excel himself step by step. 

Glad to note that Vasu is completing 60 during this child rights week of 2025 – may he have all the blessings of life. May his tribe increase to serve Mother India – may he take up more leadership roles in molding the future society as there is dearth for leadership and governance in the nation at different levels. 

I wish this incorrigible optimist all the very best!!!!!!!

With affection Ranga

I am among those privileged to have known Dr. Vasudeva Sharma — affectionately called Vasu by his friends and colleagues. Over the years, we have had many opportunities to work together on issues close to both our hearts — child rights, education, schooling, and ensuring entitlements for children and communities.

Our paths crossed often — through the India Literacy Project (ILP), Rejuvenate India Movement (RIM), and several other organizations. There were field visits (such as my visits to CRT’s working villages in Gadag or Chikkaballapur on behalf of ILP), partner meetings (where Vasu represented CRT and shared his valuable insights at ILP Annual Partners’ Meets), evaluation visits (like our joint evaluation of Sneha Kudligi’s work), and sessions where Vasu served as a resource person for ILP.

Across all these engagements, there was one constant — a single-minded focus on how to enhance the work being done for the welfare and development of children. Children are always at the heart of everything Vasu does. Like Gandhi’s talisman, his guiding question seems to be: “In what way will this benefit the child?”
While some of us may occasionally feel weary or disheartened, Vasu never gives up — he pursues every goal with patience, persistence, and perseverance.

I fondly recall our SNEHA study in 2012, which involved intense discussions and debates — on the study’s findings, the role of Gram Panchayats and SDMCs, and how these institutions had evolved into watchdogs of service delivery. Even when working with credible NGOs, Vasu’s commitment and depth of understanding stood out in every deliberation.

Vasu has long been our “Nilaya Vidwan” — a regular and much-loved resource person for ILP Partner Meets, even before CRT became an ILP partner and continuing thereafter. His sessions were always insightful and deeply rooted in ground realities.
For example:

• At the 2006 Partners’ Meet in Hyderabad, he spoke on “Five-Year Plans and Indian Children.”
• In 2014, he played a pivotal role in celebrating the Silver Jubilee of the UNCRC.
• In 2015, he handled a session on the National Policy on Early Childhood Care and Education — Curriculum Framework and Quality Standards.
• In 2017 and 2018, his sessions on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their monitoring at the micro level were highly appreciated.

Vasu and the CRT team have also been instrumental in strengthening the Right to Education Task Force in Karnataka — a contribution widely recognized. ILP takes pride in having partnered with CRT and Vasu in this important mission. (A word of appreciation is also due to Nagasimha, who carried the movement forward through the media, government, and other forums.)

Another remarkable initiative has been Children’s Gram Sabhas, which have flourished in Karnataka thanks to CRT’s leadership. The unique process of enabling children to engage directly with elected representatives — from villages to the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru — is a testament to Vasu’s vision and dedication.

Beyond his professional roles, Vasu embodies a humane and compassionate spirit. Whether it’s identifying social issues while driving through the city or sharing his concerns on social media — often with photos or short videos — his commitment to social causes is ever-present. (I often marvel at how he manages to do all this in Bengaluru’s traffic, especially since I don’t drive at all!)

Vasu is a leader, social activist, and a child-friendly human being who believes deeply in people, democracy, and the power of processes to bring change. He is also a devoted family man, who often spoke with affection about his parents, spouse, and Shraddha. Though I haven’t interacted much with his family, I know him as a calm, composed, and gentle person — a quiet achiever who constantly strives for excellence.

It gives me great joy to note that Vasu is turning 60 during this Child Rights Week of 2025. May he be blessed with good health, happiness, and renewed energy to continue his mission. May his tribe increase — for our nation needs leaders of integrity, compassion, and conviction.

I wish this incorrigible optimist all the very best in the years ahead!

With affection,
Ranga