Overview & Leadership:
Shri Vivek Pandit was born on 23rd August, 1957, in Mumbai. He completed two bachelor’s degrees—in Sociology and Sanskrit—from the University of Mumbai with distinction. He is a renowned social activist, policy advocate, and grassroots leader dedicated to grassroots empowerment, human rights, and evidence-based governance in Maharashtra in last four decade’s. He founded Samarthan – Centre for Budget and Policy Studies to bridge the gap between grassroots realities and legislative policymaking, ensuring state budgets, government spending, and public policies serve marginalized communities.
Key Roles & Institutions:
Founder–Shramajivi Sanghatana & Kamgar Sanghatana: Spearheaded mass grassroots movements liberating and rehabilitating thousands of bonded laborers, securing land rights, minimum wage compliance, and dignity for tribal communities (Adivasis) and unorganized workers.
Founder–Samarthan: Established Samarthan as a premier civil society institution analyzing Maharashtra’s state budget, tracking social sector spending, and providing evidence-based policy briefs to state legislators and civil society networks.
Chairman–State-Level Tribal Area Review Committee (Government of Maharashtra): Appointed by the Government of Maharashtra with the Status of Minister of State (MoS) to evaluate tribal welfare schemes, monitor malnutrition, health infrastructure, and forest rights implementations across scheduled areas.
Founder/Trustee–Vithu Mauli Charitable Trust: Actively drives dedicated welfare initiatives focusing on child health, malnutrition mitigation, rural education, and livelihood support in remote tribal belts.
Former Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA): Represented the Vasai constituency in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (2009–2014), championing public accountability, transparency, and the rights of toiling masses.
Major Contributions & Global Recognition:
Anti-Slavery & Human Rights Advocacy: Conferred the prestigious International Anti-Slavery Award (1999) by Anti-Slavery International for his pioneering work in eliminating bonded labor and modern slavery.
Policy & Legislative Impact: Instrumental in formulating systemic interventions regarding the Forest Rights Act (FRA), Right to Food, PESA, MGNREGA execution, and tribal development plans.
Author & Thought Leader: Authored extensive publications, including research papers and books on human rights, atrocity prevention, and budget monitoring (Manus mhanun Jaganyasathi, Muke te Janmle Hote , Bandhmukti, The Fury of Hunger, Fearless Minds).