Education and Sanskar
Developing Young Researchers and Leaders Through Study, Practice and Social Responsibility
Location
Saurav Shaikshik Samajik Sansthan, Buldhana, Maharashtra
Domain
Education and Sanskar
Primary Focus
Interdisciplinary research, leadership development and practical learning
About the Project
The Lakshy Fellowship Program is an intensive residential learning initiative in Buldhana, Maharashtra, designed for young scholars interested in psychology, sociology, economics and human consciousness.
Students of psychology, sociology and economics often learn through separate academic disciplines. However, real human challenges rarely fit neatly within one discipline.
Questions related to happiness, inequality, conflict, education, livelihood and social responsibility involve the individual, family, society, institutions and the natural environment at the same time.
The fellowship therefore follows an interdisciplinary approach. It encourages participants to study these subjects together and examine how they may be understood through Jeevan Vidya–Sah-Astitva.
Core Work
Rationale
Young people entering research and social-development fields are expected to understand complex human problems. Yet academic training alone may not always prepare them to understand the deeper assumptions influencing human behaviour and social systems.
Program Structure
The fellowship was designed as a highly immersive programme with an approximately thirteen-hour daily schedule.
Interdisciplinary Research
A distinctive feature of the Lakshy Fellowship Program is its attempt to connect multiple academic disciplines through a common human-centred framework.
Impact
The Lakshy Fellowship Program aims to foster a new generation of researchers and leaders grounded in interdisciplinary understanding and ethical practice.
The programme's direct beneficiaries are young scholars, particularly those interested in psychology, sociology and economics, who will apply their learning in research, education, and development organizations.
SHAPE Foundation supports the fellowship under its Education and Sanskar domain. SHAPE’s support helps create opportunities for intensive learning and research that may not be available through conventional academic programmes.
1,440
hours of interdisciplinary research and study
1,680
hours of practical community activities
13 hours
approximate daily schedule
2024-2025
documented programme period
Leadership
The fellowship is not limited to academic research. It is also intended as a leadership-development programme.
Its understanding of leadership is not based on authority or organisational position, but rather on the capacity to build trust, take responsibility, and make humane decisions.
The residential and intensive nature of the programme creates opportunities for participants to practise these qualities in daily life.
Future Scope
The documented programme period concluded on 30 September 2025. Future communication should clearly distinguish between the completed programme cycle and any proposed or continuing phase.
The fellowship model has the potential to develop further through future cohorts, structured interdisciplinary modules, and field studies.
Documenting the completed cohort’s research, practical work, and learning outcomes would strengthen the programme’s credibility and provide a clearer foundation for future editions.
Launching future fellowship cohorts
Developing clear selection and eligibility criteria
Providing structured research mentorship
Designing structured interdisciplinary modules
Publishing fellow-led research papers and studies
Building collaborations and partnerships with universities
Young people entering research and social-development fields are expected to understand complex human problems. Yet academic training alone may not always prepare them to understand the deeper assumptions influencing human behaviour and social systems.
Economic growth does not always create prosperity for every family, and education does not automatically result in clarity or responsibility. Similarly, psychological knowledge does not always resolve conflict in relationships.
The Lakshy Fellowship Program creates space for participants to examine these gaps, exploring the relationship between understanding, conduct, family systems, and social justice.
What are the fundamental aspirations of a human being?
How are individual wellbeing and social wellbeing connected?
What is the relationship between understanding and behaviour?
How do family and community structures influence human development?
What makes social and economic systems just?
How can research contribute to sustainable and humane solutions?
What qualities are required for responsible leadership?
The fellowship was designed as a highly immersive programme with an approximately thirteen-hour daily schedule.
Its structure included around 1,440 hours of research and study, and 1,680 hours of practical activities.
This substantial time commitment reflects the depth of engagement expected from participants. The combination of research and practice helps fellows understand that knowledge becomes meaningful when it contributes to responsible conduct.
1,440 hours of interdisciplinary research and study
1,680 hours of practical, community-based activities
Daily schedule of approximately 13 hours
Reading seminars, discussions, and research documentation
Community participation, agricultural, and production work
Field observations and direct interaction with local families
A distinctive feature of the Lakshy Fellowship Program is its attempt to connect multiple academic disciplines through a common human-centred framework.
Psychology: Helps participants examine behavior, thought, emotion, and relationships, connected with self-understanding and harmony within the individual.
Sociology: Enables fellows to examine families, communities, social structures, and explore how trust, justice, and cooperation build stronger social systems.
Economics: Examines production, resource distribution, and livelihood, connected with prosperity, responsible production, and the fulfillment of human needs.
Psychology (Individual conduct and behavioral harmony)
Sociology (Social structures, trust, and family justice)
Economics (Responsible production, fair exchange, and sustainability)
The fellowship is not limited to academic research. It is also intended as a leadership-development programme.
Its understanding of leadership is not based on authority or organisational position, but rather on the capacity to build trust, take responsibility, and make humane decisions.
The residential and intensive nature of the programme creates opportunities for participants to practise these qualities in daily life.
Understanding situations with objectivity and clarity
Building trust and working cooperatively with others
Taking complete responsibility for actions and outcomes
Listening carefully to different perspectives
Connecting conceptual knowledge with responsible action
Contributing consistently to collective wellbeing
The Lakshy Fellowship Program aims to foster a new generation of researchers and leaders grounded in interdisciplinary understanding and ethical practice.
The programme's direct beneficiaries are young scholars, particularly those interested in psychology, sociology and economics, who will apply their learning in research, education, and development organizations.
SHAPE Foundation supports the fellowship under its Education and Sanskar domain. SHAPE’s support helps create opportunities for intensive learning and research that may not be available through conventional academic programmes.
Stronger research and documentation capability
Greater clarity about human and social questions
Ability to connect multiple academic disciplines
Experience in practical and community-based learning
Greater responsibility and sensitivity in leadership
Deeper understanding of Jeevan Vidya–Sah-Astitva principles
Launching future fellowship cohorts
Developing clear selection and eligibility criteria
Providing structured research mentorship
Designing structured interdisciplinary modules
Publishing fellow-led research papers and studies
Building collaborations and partnerships with universities
Organising public seminars and alumni presentations
Publishing cohort outcomes and case studies
FAQ
Contact Us
Students, researchers, universities, and institutions interested in future fellowship cycles, research partnerships, or support opportunities can connect through SHAPE Foundation.
Phone: +91 75064 33814
Email: info@shape.earth
Apply & Support
Help support future cohorts of young researchers and leaders exploring interdisciplinary social sciences.