About Prime Point Foundation

Founded December 1999 | 25+ Years of Public Service

Prime Point Foundation is a non-profit public trust dedicated to communication excellence, positive journalism, digital awareness, and civic engagement. Founded in December 1999, the Foundation has completed 25 years of voluntary, non-commercial public service — nurturing five independent initiatives, publishing 60-plus books, and bringing together hundreds of eminent citizens, scholars, parliamentarians, and professionals in the service of society.

Our Origin

Prime Point Foundation was inaugurated on December 20, 1999 at Hotel Palmgrove, Chennai, by Dr M.S. Swaminathan — the globally renowned agricultural scientist and architect of India's Green Revolution — and T.S. Raghavan, former Chairman of Indian Bank. The name "PRIME POINT" was thoughtfully suggested by S. Narendra, former Information Advisor to the Prime Minister of India, who has been a guiding force for the Foundation since its inception.

The Foundation was formally registered as a non-profit public trust on July 5, 2000, with recognition from the Income Tax department. It was established at a pivotal moment in India's history — the post-liberalisation era of the early 1990s and the dawn of the internet age — with a clear mission to build communication awareness, develop leadership, and promote quality journalism.

A Pioneer in the Internet Age

When India's internet was running at a mere 18 kbps, Prime Point Foundation was already organising seminars and workshops on how the internet would transform media, communication, and governance. As early as June 2000 — when the internet was barely accessible to most Indians — the Foundation conducted its first workshop on "New Media Content and Communication" at Anna University, Chennai, for working journalists and media students.

In August 2000, Prof. Sree Sreenivasan of Columbia University addressed a Foundation gathering, predicting that the internet would redefine communication as we know it. In December 2000, T.S. Krishnamurthy, then Election Commissioner of India, addressed political leaders on effective communication. Even before Yahoo launched its Groups platform, Prime Point Srinivasan had connected global communication professionals online through onelist.com and egroups.com. The Foundation was also among the first in India to adopt podcasting in 2006, and was selected in 2003 by the United Nations as its Nodal Organisation for celebrating International Volunteer Day.

Inspired by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

The Foundation's deepest inspiration has been the late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India. It was on his suggestion that PreSense eMagazine was launched in 2006 to promote positive journalism. Dr Kalam himself inaugurated the first edition of the Sansad Ratna Awards in May 2010. He wrote the foreword for the PreSense 100 Digest, launched the "Prince" cartoon character in PreSense in 2008, and personally guided the Foundation on multiple occasions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a message appreciating the Foundation's work in 2018. The Foundation has also been blessed by His Holiness Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, the Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam.

Our Five Initiatives

eMagazine PreSense Launched in March 2006 on Dr Abdul Kalam's suggestion, PreSense is India's longest-running digital-only eMagazine for positive journalism, with 230+ monthly editions published entirely through voluntary effort. Recognised by the India Book of Records. Carries no advertisements.
www.corpezine.com →

Sansad Ratna Awards Instituted in 2010, these are the only awards by Indian civil society to honour top-performing Members of Parliament, based on data from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats and PRS Legislative Research. 143 awards presented across 15 editions. Inaugurated by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. Recognised by the India Book of Records.
www.sansadratna.in →

Digital Journalists Association of India (DiJAI) Founded in 2017, DiJAI equips journalists with digital skills and raises public awareness about digital journalism and its implications. Conducts workshops, seminars, and conclaves with domain experts from India and abroad.
www.dijai.in →

Next Gen Political Leaders (NGPL) Operating since 2018, NGPL conducts workshops and interactive sessions for young political aspirants, with participation from Ministers, Parliamentarians, legislators, and retired constitutional authorities. Organised a 7-day certificate course with IIT Madras attracting 1,000 participants.
www.ngpl.org.in →

Education Loan Task Force (ELTF) Established in 2010 to raise awareness about education loans among students and parents across India. Over 30,000 queries were responded to, and more than 5,000 serious complaints were taken up with banks for redressal. ELTF does not facilitate loans — it advocates for students.
www.eltf.in →

Key Milestones

1999 — The Foundation was inaugurated by Dr M.S. Swaminathan at Chennai
2000 — First workshop on New Media and Internet at Anna University
2003 — Selected by the United Nations as Nodal Organisation for International Volunteer Day
2004 — Addressed World Assembly of Youth, Malaysia (UN wing)
2006 — Launched PreSense eMagazine on Dr Abdul Kalam's suggestion
2006 — Became media partner for 5th World PR Conference, London
2007 — Received Golden Triangle Award from Brahmakumaris for digital journalism
2010 — Inaugurated Sansad Ratna Awards with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
2013 — Interviewed Vinton G. Cerf, "Father of the Internet", for podcast
2015 — PreSense 100th edition released; Dr Kalam wrote foreword for digest
2016 — Received inaugural Narada Award for Digital Journalism from RSS
2022 — India Book of Records recognition for PreSense and Sansad Ratna Awards
2024 — 25th Anniversary; photo session with Hon'ble President and Vice President of India

Our Values

Non-Commercial Voluntary No Advertisements Free Publications Positive Journalism Youth Focused Civil Society Public Interest

All five initiatives of Prime Point Foundation are run entirely by volunteers and dedicated professionals. The Foundation has never carried advertisements in PreSense or any of its publications. All 60+ books published by the Foundation are available free of cost as digital downloads. Every initiative is driven purely by a commitment to social impact, democratic values, and communication excellence.

Eminent Associations

Over 25 years, Prime Point Foundation has been privileged to be associated with some of India's most distinguished citizens — Dr APJ Abdul Kalam (former President of India), Dr M.S. Swaminathan (agricultural scientist), T.S. Krishnamurthy (former Chief Election Commissioner), Dr M. Veerappa Moily (former Chief Minister and Union Minister), Dr Y.S. Rajan (co-author of India 2020), Sam Pitroda (architect of India's IT revolution), Vinton G. Cerf (Father of the Internet), Prof. Sree Sreenivasan (Columbia University), Hansraj Ahir (Chairman, National Commission for Backward Classes), Prof. Sudarsan Padmanabhan (IIT Madras), and many more eminent parliamentarians, jurists, journalists, and academicians.