MAM
On Purpose wins Central Square Foundation brief to school India in smarter education storytelling
MUMBAI: India’s education sector just got a lesson in sharp storytelling-and On Purpose is holding the chalk. The creative consultancy, known for its mission-driven approach, has been appointed as the agency on record for the Central Square Foundation (CSF), following a competitive multi-agency pitch.
The result? To crank up the volume on education reform conversations that matter-and to make sure foundational literacy isn’t just a policy footnote.
This partnership puts On Purpose in charge of strategic communications for CSF, a non-profit that’s been knee-deep in fixing India’s systemic schooling challenges for over five years. From building early learning muscle to turbocharging school governance, CSF has tackled the hard stuff. And now, with On Purpose riding shotgun, they’re planning to say it louder—and smarter.
“This marks our second collaboration with CSF, reaffirming our shared commitment to shaping conversations and driving systemic change in India’s education sector. We’re thrilled to partner with them again, an inspiring, mission-driven organization leading the charge to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive,” said On Purpose founder & CEO Girish Balachandran.
So what’s on the blackboard? On Purpose will drive CSF’s messaging around four critical pillars:
. Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), so kids stop falling through academic cracks
. Edtech access for all, because Youtube alone can’t fix learning gaps
. Early childhood education to prep the tiny humans for the big leagues
. School governance reform, where the real long-term magic happens
The consultancy’s mandate includes building urgency and salience around FLN and governance—two oft-ignored but absolutely mission-critical parts of India’s education puzzle.
“Finding a partner who understands the urgency of systemic reform and the transformative power of early learning was essential. On Purpose brings the right expertise, experience, and a deep understanding of our mission and landscape, making them the ideal collaborator to drive these critical conversations. We look forward to co-creating strategies that deliver lasting impact and improve learning outcomes for every child in India,” said Central Square Foundation director, policy & communications, Romonika D Sharan.
And they’ve got data to back the ambition.
CSF, a key player in the government’s Nipun Bharat Mission, has been rolling up its sleeves across 14 states—11 of them laser-focused on FLN. With partnerships across ministries, state governments, and education stakeholders, CSF is driving system-level shifts. But even the best reforms need the right spotlight—and that’s where On Purpose comes in.
Expect bold narratives, hard-hitting content, and a touch of creative sass as they tackle the biggest classroom India has: the public.
Brands
YES Bank hands the keys to SBI veteran Vinay Tonse as it bets on a new era
Former SBI managing director appointed as YES Bank’s new MD and CEO
MUMBAI: YES Bank is done rebuilding. Now it wants to grow. The private sector lender has appointed Vinay Muralidhar Tonse as managing director and chief executive officer-designate, with RBI approval secured and a start date of April 6, 2026 confirmed. The three-year term signals the bank’s intent to shift gears from crisis recovery to full-throttle expansion.
Tonse, 60, is no stranger to scale. Most recently managing director at State Bank of India, he oversaw a retail book of roughly $800bn in deposits and advances, one of the largest in the country. Before that, he ran SBI Mutual Fund from August 2020 to December 2022, a stint that saw assets under management surge from Rs 4.32 lakh crore to Rs 7.32 lakh crore across market cycles. Add stints in Singapore and four years leading SBI’s overseas operations in Osaka, and the incoming chief arrives with a genuinely global CV.
His academic grounding is equally solid: a commerce degree from St Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bengaluru, and a master’s in commerce from Bangalore University.
The appointment follows an extensive search and evaluation process by the bank’s Nomination and Remuneration Committee. NRC chairperson Nandita Gurjar said the committee unanimously backed Tonse, citing his leadership track record, governance credentials and ability to drive the bank’s next phase of transformation.
Non-executive chairman Rama Subramaniam Gandhi was unequivocal. “I am certain that Vinay Tonse, with his vast experience as a senior banker, will propel YES Bank to its next phase of growth,” Gandhi said, adding that the bank remains focused on strengthening its retail and corporate banking franchises and expanding its branch network.
Rajeev Kannan, non-executive director and senior executive at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, the bank’s largest shareholder, said Tonse’s experience across retail, corporate banking, global markets and asset management positioned him well to lead the lender. SMBC said it looks forward to working with Tonse and the board as YES Bank pursues its ambition of becoming a top-tier private sector lender anchored in strong governance and sustainable growth.
Tonse succeeds Prashant Kumar, who took the helm in March 2020 when YES Bank was in freefall following a severe financial crisis, and spent six years painstakingly stabilising the institution, rebuilding governance and restoring operational scale. Gandhi was generous: “The bank remains indebted to Prashant Kumar, who is responsible for much of what a strong financial powerhouse YES Bank is today.”
Tonse, for his part, struck a purposeful note. “Together with the board and my colleagues, I remain deeply committed to creating long-term value for all our stakeholders,” he said, pledging to build on Kumar’s foundation guided by his personal motto: Make A Difference.
Beyond the balance sheet, Tonse played cricket at college and club level and represented Karnataka in archery at the national championships — sports he credits with teaching him teamwork, situational leadership, discipline and focus. In quieter moments, he reaches for retro Kannada music, classic Hindi songs, and the crooning of Engelbert Humperdinck, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar.
YES Bank has its steady-handed rebuilder in Kumar to thank for survival. Now it has a scale-obsessed growth banker at the wheel. The next chapter starts April 6.
