Modern Architects for Rural India (MARI) was started by a team of young professionals with social work backgrounds having a desire for heralding change towards an egalitarian society. The founding members of the organization come from rural and tribal areas; who have undergone various hardships to complete higher education in social work.

They made a conscious choice of investing their professional knowledge, skills and experience for improving quality of lives in rural areas, in particular marginalised people, to achieve sustainable development. Immediately after establishing of MARI, R. Murali, Executive Director of MARI received one year fellowship (1989-90) from Gandhi Peace Centre (GPC).

The fellowship was used to select project area and identify needs and priorities of local communities. Parvathagiri mandal, a remote and backward mandal, in Warangal district was selected for initial intervention of the organisation. The GPC fellowship, thus, laid foundation for initiating organisational activities.

Additionally, in-depth study was carried out on the experience of the NGO sector in dealing with development action; and gathered experts’ inputs on developmental priorities. All the above helped MARI to better inform and equip on issues and concerns of the poor and marginalised sections, and find solutions thereof. The strategies, approaches and interventions of MARI were thus evolved based on infelt needs of people. In the process, it could influence people centric policies and programs.

During the course of more than 28 years journey, MARI has implemented a range of programmes to help people manage their own affairs sustainably, whilst simultaneously focusing on improving their living standards. MARI has also consciously made effort to link its work with other processes. Hence, macro-political and economic policies are closely observed, studied and assessed for understanding their impact on MARI’s work and its target population. In the process, it could influence people centric policies and programs.