Founder & Chairman

Dr. P.K.S. Madhavan is the founder and chairman of AWARE, the parent organization of RVTC. A prominent Indian social worker and visionary, he has devoted his life to the upliftment of tribal communities, harijans, and the poorest of the poor across rural India.

Dr. Madhavan studied post-graduation in Anthropology and briefly joined civil services before resigning to become a wandering Hindu monk, spending years in the Himalayas in meditation and study of ancient scriptures. Returning home in 1974, he took up teaching and pursued a doctorate in anthropology. While researching rural tribal communities near Hyderabad in 1975, he was moved by the poverty and exploitation he witnessed — and chose to dedicate his life to liberating and empowering these communities instead of merely studying them. This decision gave birth to AWARE (Action for Welfare and Awakening in Rural Environment) on 5th November 1975.

Under his vision and leadership, AWARE grew into one of India’s largest development organizations, working across thousands of villages and establishing hospitals, colleges, and vocational training centers — including the AWARE Rural Vocational Training Centre at Aswaraopet, established in 1979, where RVTC continues his mission of empowering rural youth through technical education.

Dr. Madhavan has served thrice as a Commissioner of the Supreme Court of India on issues relating to bonded laborers and atrocities on Dalits, and has represented AWARE at international forums including the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. He draws no salary from AWARE, having dedicated his life entirely to the service of the poor and needy.