About Us

History

Created by the late Rajeshwar Dayal (1909–99), the Rajeshwar Susheela Dayal Charitable Trust (RSDCT or Dayal Trust) has sought to eradicate poverty and its associated disadvantages since the Trust’s inception in June 1986.

Rajeshwar Dayal, a former member of the Indian Civil Service, retired as Foreign Secretary to the Government of India. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1969 in recognition of an exemplary career as diplomat and international civil servant.

Susheela (c. 1916–2001), his wife, was the talented daughter of industrialist Sir J. P. Srivastava. 

A family affinity with the Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand has inspired much of the Trust’s work in this region of northern India, in partnership with several remarkable personalities and organisations that share its vision.

The late Ravindra (Ravi) Dayal, one of RSDCT’s original Trustees until his untimely death in June 2006, was an outstanding publisher and recipient of a posthumous Padma Shri award. With his profound knowledge of the region and love for the Kumaoni people, his ideals continue to inspire and guide the Trust’s ideals.

The Trust has a deep sense of gratitude to the late Ratan Dayal (an original Trustee and former Managing Director, Shell India), who served as the Trust’s Chairman from 2002 to 2014. During these years, benefiting from his wise and gracious counsel, the Trust evolved the pattern for its present programmes of assistance and consolidated its relationship with its operational partners.

The wide-ranging experience and acumen provided by Virendra Dayal (Padma Bhushan; former Under-Secretary-General, United Nations; and former member, National Human Rights Commission) has led the Trust to greater heights, where relationships are valued and partners trusted. He was Chairman from 1914 to 2020.

Ashok Dayal (former Director, Deutsche Bank) has brilliantly marshalled the resources of the Trust and tirelessly guided its daily management. The Trust and our partner organisations are indebted to his sagacity.