V. R. Hari Balaji
| |
| V. R. Hari Balaji in 2025 | |
| Born | 02 May 1979 (age 46) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | Pursuing Doctor Of Philosophy in Management ( 2025 - 2028) MBA (Hospital and Health Systems Management)(2010 - 2012) PG Diploma (Hotel Operations Management)(2000 - 2001) BSc (Hotel Management & Catering Technology)(1997- 2000) |
| Alma mater | Saveetha School of Law, Chennai, India Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Educational Research, Chennai, India |
| Occupation | Urban Sanitation Leader, Disaster Management Expert, Public Speaker |
| Years active | 1997 – present |
| Known for | DBFOT HAM - Solid Waste Management (IEC) DBFOT HAM - Public Toilet Management |
| Notable works | Framework for Strengthening Inter-Agency Coordination for Efficient Disaster Management in Chennai (Research Thesis) Urban PCT Three Pvt Ltd – DBFOT Public Toilet Management Model (Chennai, GCC Package-3) |
| Awards | Humanitarian Award 2024–2025 by Indian Icon
Super Hero 2025 Award (Researcher Category) by F-SIA |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Parents | Mr. V. G. Ramaswamy (father),
Mrs. R. Sarasakumari (mother) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Website | www.haribalaji.com |
V. R. Hari Balaji is an Indian disaster management expert, urban governance strategist, and sanitation reform leader based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Recognized for his pioneering work in inter-agency coordination, sanitation system design,[1] and public-private partnership execution, he has emerged as a leading voice in civic transformation. His thought leadership combines global exposure with grassroots impact, blending Swiss precision, American resilience, and Indian pragmatism.
Early Life & Education
Hari Balaji was born in Mylapore, Chennai, in 1979. His early education in Chennai instilled in him both discipline and cultural rootedness. Pursuing hospitality studies at SRM Institute of Hotel Management, he later expanded his worldview in Switzerland at the Swiss Hotel Management School, where he absorbed global standards of precision and operational excellence.[2] Returning to India, he pursued an MBA at SRIHER (Sri Ramachandra University) and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Madras, creating an academic foundation that bridged hospitality, management, and strategy.[3]
Career
Hari Balaji’s career spans multiple domains—from hospitality and healthcare management to disaster response and civic governance.[4][5]
- Hospitality & Healthcare (2001–2010): He began his career in global hospitality and later transitioned into healthcare management, applying precision-driven service models. His resilience was tested while reviving a hurricane-hit hotel post-Katrina in the U.S., shaping his views on crisis management.
- Disaster Management & Public Health (2010–2020): He specialized in pre-disaster preparedness, post-disaster humanitarian response, and inter-agency coordination. He became a National Consultant in Disaster Management, advising governments across India.
- Urban Governance & Sanitation (2020–present): V R Hari Balaji took a leadership role in Chennai’s SWM & sanitation transformation. Currently he spearheads the DBFOT-HAM Public Toilet Project through concessionaire under Greater Chennai Corporation. His structured approach is redefining sanitation as fiscal infrastructure with dignity, discipline, and delivery at its core.
- Thought Leadership & Communication: As a strategist, he designs citizen engagement campaigns such as Flush to Flourish, aligning civic infrastructure with behavioral change communication.
Awards and Recognition
- Humanitarian Award 2024–2025 by Indian Icon
- Super Hero 2025 Award (Researcher Category) by F-SIA[6]
Notable Works
- Research Thesis: Framework for Strengthening Inter-Agency Coordination for Efficient Disaster Management in Chennai[7]
- Conservancy IEC: DBFOT-HAM SWM’s IEC execution in assigned zones of Chennai
- Sanitation Governance: DBFOT-HAM PCT management execution in assigned zones of Chennai
External Links
References
- ↑ Rapid response team to handle urgent situations . In The Times of India . Retrieved 28 September 2025
- ↑ Lock Nagar in Chennai to be made model for source segregation of garbage . In The Hindu . Retrieved 28 September 2025
- ↑ “1/125051500577” . In Business Standard . Retrieved 28 September 2025
- ↑ Preparedness key to disaster management . In The Hindu . Retrieved 28 September 2025
- ↑ Be prepared to manage emergencies without time loss . In The Hindu . Retrieved 28 September 2025
- ↑ 59926- . In Hindu Tamil . Retrieved 28 September 2025
- ↑ For Chennai slum residents, access to flood relief depends on luck and muscle power . In Scroll.in . Retrieved 28 September 2025