Recently, Priyanka Gandhi highlighted a report by Blume Ventures, claiming that among India’s 150 crore people, 100 crore are living paycheck to paycheck. She suggested that the middle class is suffering under the Modi government’s policies.
Let’s take a closer look at the origins of this report and what it might really mean.
1. The Source
Blume Ventures, founded by Karthik Reddy and Sanjay Nath, is backed by several family offices, including those of notable business families like the Munjals, Hemendra Kothari, and Kris Gopalakrishnan, a co-founder of Infosys.
2. The Connections
Pavan Munjal leads the Hero family office, which has ties to Pankaj Munjal, the Managing Director of Hero Cycles. Pankaj has been involved with Congress events, like the “Ideas for India” conference in the UK. This conference has seen the participation of influential Congress leaders, showing a clear connection between these entities.
3. The Funding
Kris Gopalakrishnan’s trust, Prathiksha, has supported significant educational initiatives, including neuroscience research at the Indian Institute of Science. Interestingly, this institute has received longstanding support from the Ford Foundation.
4. Charitable Ventures
Sudha Murthy’s chair linked to Gopalakrishnan’s initiatives shows how closely intertwined these organizations are with various funding sources, including foreign charities.
5. Financial Impact
Hemendra Kothari, a prominent figure in investment banking, runs the Kothari Foundation, which backs several charities and trusts that also receive funds from international sources like USAID and the Tides Foundation.
6. The Bigger Picture
DASRA Foundation, where Aditi Kothari serves, has a board that includes members connected to influential philanthropic networks. Their funding sources include major organizations like the Gates Foundation and Omidyar Network.
7. The Overlap
DASRA is closely linked to Aangan Trust, revealing a network where funds are cycled among different non-profits, raising questions about transparency and actual impacts.
8. International Ties
Shuchi Kothari, another key player, is linked to the EPIC Foundation, which has notable international connections, including individuals closely aligned with American political figures.
It seems the Congress party is leveraging these connections to push their narrative. But as more people become aware of this, it raises concerns about their motivations and strategies. The landscape is complex, with influences coming from various sectors and international funders.
People are becoming increasingly aware of these behind-the-scenes connections. It appears that Congress may need to reconsider their approach, as many are questioning their motives and the information they disseminate.
