Shri Raghupati Singh
Founder Member & Executive Chairman
Confederation of NGOs of Rural India (CNRI)
Shri Raghupati Singh is one of the distinguished Founder Members and the present Executive Chairman of the Confederation of NGOs of Rural India (CNRI). A committed Gandhian social worker, institution builder, and rural development practitioner from Bihar, he has devoted his life to empowering marginalized communities through voluntary action, participatory development, and grassroots institution-building. For several decades, he has remained at the forefront of civil society initiatives dedicated to improving the quality of life of rural citizens, particularly women, children, farmers, and disadvantaged communities.
Widely respected for his simplicity, integrity, and unwavering commitment to public service, Shri Raghupati Singh represents the enduring tradition of India’s voluntary movement inspired by the ideals of Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan. His work reflects the philosophy that sustainable national development can only be achieved by empowering villages, strengthening community institutions, and encouraging citizens’ participation in governance and social transformation.
As the Executive Chairman of CNRI, Shri Raghupati Singh provides strategic leadership to one of India’s leading national networks of voluntary organizations. Since the organization’s inception, he has played a pivotal role in expanding CNRI into a broad-based platform that connects thousands of grassroots organizations across the country. Under his stewardship, CNRI has consistently promoted participatory governance, rural development, social justice, public policy advocacy, disaster resilience, community empowerment, and partnerships between civil society and government institutions.
His leadership has been instrumental in strengthening CNRI’s engagement with national and international institutions while preserving its core mission of representing grassroots voices. He firmly believes that voluntary organizations are indispensable partners in nation-building and that sustainable development must be driven by local communities through transparency, accountability, and collective action.
Beyond CNRI, Shri Raghupati Singh serves as the General Secretary of Samta Gram Seva Sansthan, a respected voluntary organization committed to rural development, community mobilization, women’s empowerment, livelihood enhancement, education, and social welfare. Through this institution, he has led numerous initiatives focused on improving the socio-economic conditions of vulnerable populations and promoting inclusive development across rural Bihar.
His dedication to public health is equally noteworthy. As President of the Bihar Voluntary Health Board Society, he has worked tirelessly to improve healthcare awareness, preventive health services, and community-based health interventions, particularly among underserved and economically weaker sections. His efforts have consistently emphasized the importance of accessible healthcare as a fundamental pillar of rural development and social equity.
Throughout his public life, Shri Raghupati Singh has remained deeply inspired by the ideals of Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan, embracing the principles of selfless service, decentralization, people’s participation, and ethical public leadership. His approach to development reflects the Gandhian belief that villages are the foundation of India’s strength and that social transformation begins with empowered communities. Rather than pursuing political office, he has dedicated himself to building institutions that enable ordinary citizens to become active participants in the development process.
His leadership style is characterized by consensus-building, inclusiveness, humility, and a steadfast commitment to the welfare of society. Colleagues and fellow social workers recognize him as a mentor who has inspired generations of voluntary organizations to uphold values of integrity, service, and community leadership.
Over the years, Shri Raghupati Singh has actively supported initiatives in rural livelihoods, women’s empowerment, public health, education, capacity building of civil society organizations, disaster response, environmental awareness, and participatory governance. His contributions have strengthened collaborations among voluntary organizations, government agencies, and development partners, creating a more coordinated and impactful civil society ecosystem.
As India advances toward the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, Shri Raghupati Singh continues to advocate for a development model that places communities at its center. He believes that empowered citizens, vibrant voluntary institutions, and socially responsible leadership are essential to achieving inclusive growth, social harmony, and national progress.
His lifelong dedication to grassroots development, unwavering adherence to Gandhian and socialist values, and tireless efforts to strengthen India’s voluntary sector have established him as one of the respected senior leaders of the country’s civil society movement. Through his continued leadership of CNRI and his enduring commitment to public service, Shri Raghupati Singh remains an inspiring force in advancing rural development, social justice, and community-led nation building.
