Ei Dialogues

Educational Initiatives
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EI Dialogues is a podcast series brought to you by Educational Initiatives, an organization working towards creating a world where children everywhere are learning with understanding. In this podcast, we speak to entrepreneurs, academicians, policy makers and education leaders to delve deeper into the most urgent and important questions on solving for quality and equity in education.

  1. 5X Social Impact Without Losing Integrity | Jayant Rastogi, Magic Bus India Foundation | Ei Dialogues

    JAN 16

    5X Social Impact Without Losing Integrity | Jayant Rastogi, Magic Bus India Foundation | Ei Dialogues

    Employee morale was low. Programs existed on paper but not always on the ground. Salaries were uncertain. Scaling felt necessary, but credibility came first. So how do you grow a social organisation fivefold without losing trust, culture, or purpose? In this Ei Dialogues episode, Jayant Rastogi, Global CEO of Magic Bus Foundation, reflects on his journey from two decades in the corporate and technology sector to leading one of India’s largest youth-focused NGOs. Drawing from real field experiences, Jayant shares how transparency, data, and people-first leadership helped rebuild systems and scale impact responsibly. He introduces his Four Ps framework, explains why adolescent years are critical to preventing dropout and unemployment, and discusses how technology can strengthen integrity, improve outcomes, and unlock inclusive growth. The conversation also explores why female workforce participation is central to India’s long-term economic future. For social sector leaders, funders, policymakers, and practitioners working to scale impact with honesty and accountability. Hosted by Pranav Kothari, CEO of Educational Initiatives.

    49 min
  2. How India Can Get More Women Engineers | Vandana Goyal (Co-CEO, Avanti Fellows) | Ei Dialogues

    11/27/2025

    How India Can Get More Women Engineers | Vandana Goyal (Co-CEO, Avanti Fellows) | Ei Dialogues

    Why do girls excel in school in the early years and suddenly start falling behind in High School? What will it take for India to have more women engineers?In this episode, Pranav Kothari speaks with Vandana Goyal, Co-CEO of Avanti Fellows and former CEO of The Akanksha Foundation, about the gender gap in STEM, what derails high-performing girls, and the cultural barriers shaping their futures.Together, they explore the 2% vs 15% admission odds between medicine and engineering, why many young women fall out of the workforce after failing NEET, and how scalable models can help more girls reach IITs and remain in the workforce longer.Follow for more evidence-based conversations on education and equity in India.#WomenInSTEM #GirlsInEngineering #EducationIndia

    52 min
  3. Improving Learning Outcomes in Schools | Omar Momin, CEO Godrej Foundation | Ei Dialogues

    11/11/2025

    Improving Learning Outcomes in Schools | Omar Momin, CEO Godrej Foundation | Ei Dialogues

    Teacher training programs often fail. Doubling salaries produced zero learning gains in one study. So what actually works?Omar Momin, CEO of Godrej Foundation, shares evidence from experiments across Indian schools on sustained teacher training, teaching students by learning level, measuring impact with counterfactuals, identifying gifted students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and using AI to personalize learning without creating dependency.For education leaders, funders, and policymakers working to improve student outcomes.Hosted by Pranav Kothari, CEO of Educational Initiatives.

    49 min
  4. Bringing 2M+ Girls Back to School: Gayatri Lobo on Quality, Learning Outcomes and Government Trust | Ei Dialogues

    10/30/2025

    Bringing 2M+ Girls Back to School: Gayatri Lobo on Quality, Learning Outcomes and Government Trust | Ei Dialogues

    How do you bring 2 million+ out-of-school girls back into classrooms and achieve 4x better learning outcomes? Gayatri Nair Lobo, CEO of Educate Girls, shares the real barriers keeping girls out of school, how to build trust with government systems, and why quality improved as they scaled to millions. Gayatri leads a decade-long mission to help 10 million learners unlock their right to education. Previously led A.T.E. Chandra Foundation, India School Leadership Institute, Teach For India, and Dalberg Advisors. Ei Dialogues is brought to you by Educational Initiatives.

    42 min
  5. What Makes People Give? Neera Nundy on Philanthropy, Gender & Flexible Funding

    10/16/2025

    What Makes People Give? Neera Nundy on Philanthropy, Gender & Flexible Funding

    Join Pranav Kothari in conversation with Neera Nundy, Co-Founder of Dasra, as they explore what drives philanthropic giving in India. From the psychology of generosity to trust-based funding and the rising role of women in philanthropy, this episode unpacks 25 years of insights on transforming India's social sector through strategic giving. #EiDialogues #Philanthropy #SocialImpact #India #Dasra

    39 min
  6. Transforming Livelihoods with Blended Finance | Priya Naik on CSR & Philanthropy | Ei Dialogues

    10/02/2025

    Transforming Livelihoods with Blended Finance | Priya Naik on CSR & Philanthropy | Ei Dialogues

    What does it take for philanthropy to move beyond charity and create lasting change? In this episode of Ei Dialogues, Priya Naik (Founder & CEO, Samhita) joins Pranav Kothari (CEO, Educational Initiatives) to explore how catalytic capital, blended finance, and CSR can transform livelihoods at scale.From unlocking 500–1000x resources with small grants to stories of dignity from women entrepreneurs, Priya shares bold lessons on why India’s development future depends on partnerships, complexity, and trust.

    50 min
  7. Shaping and Measuring Lasting CSR Impact in India | Sridhar N E on Ei Dialogues

    09/18/2025

    Shaping and Measuring Lasting CSR Impact in India | Sridhar N E on Ei Dialogues

    In this episode, Sridhar shares how trust, people, and partnerships can drive lasting change in education. Discover how CSR can go beyond compliance, and what it takes to balance strategy with real-world impact.

    1 hr
  8. Madhukar Banuri on Transforming Government Schools & Building Education Systems

    09/02/2025

    Madhukar Banuri on Transforming Government Schools & Building Education Systems

    What does it really take to transform education for millions of children in India’s government schools? In this episode, we unpack Madhukar's 15 years of experience working with state governments, district leaders, and teachers to create sustainable, large-scale education reform. You’ll hear about:- Why “building government capacity” is essential for lasting education reform- How to balance urgency with the reality that true systems change takes decades- The role of teachers, middle managers, and proven pedagogy in driving learning outcomes- Why LFE chose to stay in one state for 10 years before expanding- Using demand-led teacher training and data to improve classroom practice- Rethinking board exam questions to improve both equity and learning outcomes

    1h 13m
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About

EI Dialogues is a podcast series brought to you by Educational Initiatives, an organization working towards creating a world where children everywhere are learning with understanding. In this podcast, we speak to entrepreneurs, academicians, policy makers and education leaders to delve deeper into the most urgent and important questions on solving for quality and equity in education.

Information

  • Creator
    Educational Initiatives
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Educational Initiatives
  • Show Website
    Ei Dialogues