Shola Fellowship
In memory of
Shrikant Joshi & Shipra Gupta
The Shola Fellowship is a network (that means that they talk to each other fairly regularly) group of concerned (about each other and the world around)people (not professionals nor organisations) who are primarily friends (rather than adversaries or competitors) and come together annually to spend some time with one another along with their families. They come from different backgrounds and fields of endeavour and hence the variety to thinking and talking about life, systems, development…The Fellowship is not a formal entity, just a powerful binding spirit, with a core group of about 12 persons at its center, and regular and irregular invitees who join in each meeting. The strength of the group is in its will to be part of an adventure, to think, experience and create – and then transport bits and sparks into our lives. Each Shola has a theme (livelihoods, lifestyle, happiness, fear, wealth, ….) and children run their parallel activities too….
The fellowship was born in the Sholas (pristine natural rainforests of South India) in 1996 when it met in Northern Hay, Kotagiri. It has met thirteen (13) times in different parts of the country including the Kumaon Himalayas, coastal Karnataka, Rajasthan, Sunderbans, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
The Shola Fellowship network runs the Endowment Fund. Shola Fellowship: news, meetings & support over the years. The Fund has been supporting groups and individuals through word of mouth and calls for proposals. Many times, these small grants and timely, flexible amounts have been pivotal for organisations, that have later become bigger social and environmental players.
The Shola Fellowship Endowment Fund lives on in memory of Shrikant Joshi and Shipra Gupta, whose lives and values continue to inspire its work.
Shrikant Joshi
Shrikant Joshi was a quiet force in the world of grassroots development—deeply committed to human values, ecological thinking, and people-led change. His work spanned land and water, forest rights, education, and livelihoods, always guided by humility, integrity, and care for the underprivileged.
Shipra Gupta
Shipra Gupta brought together warmth, intellect, and quiet strength. From renewable energy initiatives to building spaces of hospitality and learning, she nurtured both people and ideas with unwavering faith. Known for her generosity of time and spirit, she remained curious, open, and engaged until the very end. The Fellowship honours their memory by carrying forward their spirit of service, empathy, and thoughtful action.