# Sandhya Mendonca

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**Sandhya Mendonca** is an Indian writer, author, biographer, editor and publisher. Born in [Bengaluru](/source/Bengaluru) (Bangalore) in the state of Karnataka, India, she gained a BA in Economics, Political Science & Sociology from St. Joseph's College of Arts & Science and an MA in Political Science specialising in International Relations from [Bangalore University](/source/Bangalore_University). She has a Diploma in Public Relations from the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. She lives in Bengaluru.

## Career

Sandhya Mendonca worked as a journalist [1] for over sixteen years before co-founding a media company with her husband and veteran journalist Allen Mendonca (1960 - 2009), Raintree Media,[2] of which she is the Managing Director & Editor-in-Chief. She is also the mentor at [TheGoodCity.in](http://thegoodcity.in/), a web and mobile-based curated content platform, and the Festival Director of [Under The Raintree women's cultural festival](https://www.undertheraintreefestival.com),[3] India's first multi-arts festival curated by women.

A native Kannadiga, Mendonca is a chronicler of the cultural history of the state of Karnataka through books published by Raintree Media such as *Karnataka - A Cultural Odyssey,* *Raj Bhavan Bangalore - Through the Ages*,[4] *Marvels of Karnataka & more* and many others*.* She is the co-author of *Marvels of Mysore & More*, published in 2012. This book has been hailed by author [Shashi Deshpande](/source/Shashi_Deshpande), and editor-in-chief of *[Outlook](/source/Outlook_(Indian_magazine))*, Krishna Prasad. In 2015, *Marvels of Karnataka & More*[5] was translated into Kannada as *Karnatakada Vismayagalu* (ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ವಿಸ್ಮಯಗಳು).

Her book *Disrupt and Conquer - How TTK Prestige Became A Billion Dollar Company*[6][7] co-authored with Mr. TT Jaggannathan (Chairman of [TTK Group](/source/TTK_Group)), was published by [Penguin Random House](/source/Penguin_Random_House) in 2018.[8] It featured in Amazon Editor's picks of Memorable Books of 2018, and Best of Business & Leadership of 2018.

Random House also published her earlier book on the REVA electric car *Reva EV - India's Green Gift to the World* (co-authored with Dr. SK Maini), in 2013.[9] Her autobiographical stories are published in the *Chicken Soup for the Indian Couples' Soul* & *Chicken Soup for the Indian Singles' Soul* series, both a part of the international [Chicken Soup for the Soul](/source/Chicken_Soup_for_the_Soul) series, published in India by Tata Westland in 2012.

In 2019, she edited and published the Augmented Reality embedded *Innovate Bengaluru*,[10] which features the top 100 innovators and enablers in Bengaluru's ecosystem. The book was launched in April 2019 at the Innovate Bengaluru Festival,[11] which brought together over 300 Icons, Inventors, Entrepreneurs, Emerging Leaders, Enablers and Investors.

She co-authored with [Nafees Fazal](/source/Nafees_Fazal), the latter's memoir, 'Breaking Barriers - The Story of a Liberal Muslim Woman's Passage in Indian Politics' published by Konark Publishers in 2022.[12]

She co-authored ‘Busted - Debunking Management Myths with Logic, Experience And Curiosity’ with Ashok Soota, a pioneer of the Indian IT industry and Peter de Jager, a Canadian management consultant. It was published by HarperCollins Publishers / Harper Business in 2023. [https://www.amazon.in/Busted-Ashok-Soota-ebook/dp/B0CB97C5J4](https://www.amazon.in/Busted-Ashok-Soota-ebook/dp/B0CB97C5J4)

She extensively edited the autobiography of Justice Shivaraj V Patil, former Supreme Court judge, Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court and judge of the Madras and Karnataka High Courts. It was published by Sparsh Foundation in 2024. [https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2024/Jan/22/justice-shivaraj-patil-releases-memoir](https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2024/Jan/22/justice-shivaraj-patil-releases-memoir)

Mendonca hosts a podcast and talk show "Spotlight with Sandhya" that features one-to-one conversations on inspirations and journeys. She writes a fortnightly column, Female Gaze, for The Sunday Guardian.[https://sundayguardianlive.com/user/sandhyatsggmail-com](https://sundayguardianlive.com/user/sandhyatsggmail-com)

## Arts

Mendonca is an amateur actor and has acted in an original play about child sexual abuse *Shadows on the Wall* written and directed by [Vijay Nair](/source/Vijay_Nair_(author)) and a comedy about golf *Sliced Balls* written by [Poile Sengupta](/source/Poile_Sengupta). She most recently acted in *Robi's Garden* directed by veteran director Vijay Padaki of [Bangalore Little Theatre](http://bangalorelittletheatre.org)[dead link].[13] She has written lyrics to a ballad **In This Moment**, set to music by Sriram Aravamudan.

In 2009, Mendonca started an informal initiative in memory of her husband, Under the Raintree,[14] that hosted play readings, artistic interactions and concerts. Starting with the dramatised reading of [Anita Nair's](/source/Anita_Nair) *Nine Faces of Being* when it was a work in progress to concerts and talks, this initiative engages artistes with audiences in informal, intimate settings.

In 2015, Mendonca was inspired to form the [SHE Collective Hub](https://www.facebook.com/SheCollectiveHub/), giving expression to the voices of women through poetry and art for social good. In sync with artists like Shan Re and Romicon Revola, poets Poile Sengupta & Kavita Rajshekar, among others, she offered the forum of SHE Collective Hub to [The Casa Foundation](http://casafoundation.in), [the House of Hope](https://www.hutindia.org) and the [Dream India Network](http://dreamindianetwork.net/). The House of Hope provides 24-hour care to over a hundred AIDS-affected orphans and their siblings. Dream India Network nurtures the most vulnerable and socially excluded children and provides them a safe haven.

In 2017, both these initiatives coalesced, and Mendonca created [Under The Raintree women's cultural festival](https://www.undertheraintreefestival.com).[15] Held over three days in Ravindra Kalakshetra, Bengaluru, the festival had more than 200 participating artistes. More than 6000 people attended the festival.[16][17] The 2nd edition in Nov 2017, was registered at the United Nations Partnerships for SDGs,[18] and provided the stage for 42 events across 7 stages, featuring the voices of over 150 Writers, Poets, Musicians, Artists and Scientists.[19][20][21][22]

## Speaker Events

Mendonca frequently speaks and moderates panels at literary, industry and corporate events such as:

- Speaker at Graduation Day 2023 of The Yenepoya Institute of Arts, Science, Commerce, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University, Mangaluru, October 2023
- Expert Talk at Garden City University, Bangalore, October 2023
- Workshop at Indus Business Academy, September and October 2023
- 4th Dr Maya Rao Kathak & Choreography Conference, May 2022
- 'Aura with Author', Dayanand Sagara College of Engineering, June 2022
- Mompower, July 2022

- The inaugural session of Dell Women Entrepreneur Network (DWEN) on: "Innovation through Collaboration"[23]
- "Are we truly winning in this rat race", a panel discussion organised by GoFloaters in 2019
- "Is this the easiest time to be a woman?", a panel discussion organised by the [Inner Wheel Club](/source/Inner_Wheel_Club), Bengaluru, in 2019
- TEDx Ramaiah Medical College, speaking about "Culture as a Change Agent" in 2018[24]
- (WO)Manifesto, a discussion about women's representation in politics in 2018[25][26]
- The release of *Lingayata Philosophy*, authored by Basrur Subba Rao in 2016
- "U25 LIT Fest", organised by the Under25 Club in 2016
- "Forging Links, Leveraging Networks - An International Business Convention for Entrepreneurial Women", organised by eMERGE in 2016
- "Celebrating International Women's Day", hosted by [Accenture](/source/Accenture) in 2015
- The release of *A Lifetime in Choreography*, the autobiography of [Maya Rao](/source/Maya_Rao) in 2014 [27]

## Awards and recognition

- Sandhya Mendonca was conferred the Desha Snehi award from the India Development Foundation for qualitative journalism and humanitarian concern in November 2015.
- She received the Global Achievers Foundation award for outstanding contribution to national unity & economic growth in February 2016.
- The Institution of Engineers, Karnataka State Centre, felicitated her for yeoman service to society in March 2016.[28]
- She received the Shrama Saadhana Shining Star award for achieving success through professional excellence from the ISBR, ELCIA & PRCI in May 2016.
- [Garden City University](/source/Garden_City_University) honoured her as an inspirational woman on International Women's Day, 2019.
- She was conferred the 'Distinguished Leadership Award' at the 'Corporate Excellence Awards 2022' by the University of Engineering & Management and the Institute of Engineering & Management in September 2022.
- She was presented with the title 'Global Woman Leader' at the 10th World Women Leadership Congress in February 2023.
- She's the charter president of the Rotary Bangalore Social and a past member of the Rotary Club of Bangalore, Mendonca is also a [Paul Harris Fellow](/source/Paul_Harris_Fellow) of the International Rotary fellowship.

## References

1. ["Checking out election campaigning at Ulsoor Lake -"](http://bangalore.citizenmatters.in/articles/checking-out-election-campaigning-at-ulsoor-lake). *Banglaore.citizenmatters.in*. 10 April 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2017.

1. ["Female Entrepreneur: Sandhya Mendonca – MD & Editor in Chief of Raintree Media - WeAreTheCity India - Events, Network, Advice for Women in India"](http://wearethecity.in/female-entrepreneur-sandhya-mendonca-md-editor-in-chief-of-raintree-media/). *Wearethecity.in*. 14 November 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2017.

1. ["Arts festival that's all about women"](https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2017/oct/31/arts-festival-thats-all-about-women-1688650.html). *The New Indian Express*. Retrieved 2018-02-13.

1. ["Snapshots of a Historic State"](https://www.newindianexpress.com/lifestyle/books/2013/nov/26/snapshots-of-a-historic-state-541827.html). *Newindianexpress.com*. Retrieved 14 December 2017.

1. ["'Marvels of Karnataka' Released"](https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2015/jan/22/marvels-of-karnataka-released-708190.html). *Newindianexpress.com*. Retrieved 14 December 2017.

1. Jagannathan, T. T. & Mendonca, Sandhya (2018-05-16). *Disrupt and Conquer: How TTK Prestige Became a Billion-Dollar Company*. Penguin Portfolio. ISBN 9780670090174.

1. ["Disrupt and Conquer - Buy Disrupt and Conquer Online at Best Prices in India - Flipkart.com"](https://www.flipkart.com/disrupt-and-conquer/p/itmf3jeyndmzmgzn). *Flipkart.com*. Retrieved 2018-05-17.

1. ["7 Reasons Why a Business Degree is Not Important to Run a Business"](https://upgrad.com/blog/7-reasons-why-it-is-not-important-to-have-a-business-degree-to-start-a-business/). *UpGrad Blog*. 2018-05-16. Retrieved 2018-05-17.

1. ["Sandhya Mendonca unveils the story of Reva"](https://bangalore.explocity.com/article/sandhya-mendonca-unveils-the-story-of-reva/). *Banglore.explocity.com*. Retrieved 14 December 2017.

1. ["AR-embedded book on Bengaluru innovators"](https://www.deccanherald.com/city/top-bengaluru-stories/ar-embedded-book-on-bengaluru-innovators-728575.html). *Deccan Herald*. 2019-04-14. Retrieved 2019-05-23.

1. ["Deccan Herald E-Paper"](https://web.archive.org/web/20241219032611/http://www.deccanheraldepaper.com/?pub=pp3-20190414_2&article=913889505). *www.deccanheraldepaper.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.deccanheraldepaper.com/?pub=pp3-20190414_2&article=913889505) on 19 December 2024. Retrieved 2019-05-23.

1. {[https://www.amazon.in/BREAKING-BARRIERS-Liberal-Passage-Politics/dp/8195678688](https://www.amazon.in/BREAKING-BARRIERS-Liberal-Passage-Politics/dp/8195678688)

1. ["Series of comedies - Bangalore Mirror -"](http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/lounge/series-of-comedies/articleshow/60451987.cms). *Bangalore Mirror*. Retrieved 2018-02-13.

1. ["Under the Raintree: Teased by teen taal, held in trance by Bhairavi"](https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2013/aug/01/under-the-raintree-teased-by-teen-taal-held-in-trance-by-bhairavi-502590.html). *Newindianexpress.com*. Retrieved 14 December 2017.

1. ["Claiming her space - Times of India"](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/claiming-her-space/articleshow/62445226.cms). *The Times of India*. Retrieved 2018-01-22.

1. ["A cultural festival by women, for women, will be hosted in Bengaluru"](http://www.indulgexpress.com/life-style/society/2017/nov/11/a-cultural-festival-by-women-for-women-will-be-hosted-in-bengaluru-4678.html). *The New Indian Express*. Retrieved 2018-01-22.

1. R, Shilpa Sebastian (2017-11-15). ["Attend a festival, curated by women, about women, but open to all"](http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/art/attend-a-festival-curated-by-women-about-women-but-open-to-all/article20451147.ece) (in en-IN). *The Hindu*. [ISSN 0971-751X](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0971-751X). Retrieved 2018-01-22.

1. ["Under The Raintree Women's Cultural Festival - United Nations Partnerships for SDGs platform"](https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/partnership/?p=32793). *sustainabledevelopment.un.org*. Retrieved 2019-12-09.

1. ["Clipping of Express Publications - The New Indian Express-Bengaluru"](https://epaper.newindianexpress.com/c/44901512). *epaper.newindianexpress.com*. Retrieved 2019-12-09.

1. ["Cultural festival to empower women - The Times Of India - Bangalore, 10/18/2019"](https://epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/TimesOfIndia/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=TOIBG/2019/10/18&entity=Ar01909&sk=0B2D4364&mode=text#). *epaper.timesgroup.com*. Retrieved 2019-12-09.

1. ["Feminism and a fest - Bangalore Mirror, 10/23/2019"](https://epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/MumbaiMirror/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=BGMIR/2019/10/23&entity=Ar02502&sk=8EFA72AB&mode=text). *epaper.timesgroup.com*. Retrieved 2019-12-09.

1. ["#undertheraintree Festival 2019 After movie - women's cultural festival"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6GHKM9daPw), retrieved 2019-12-09

1. ["Dell Technologies Announces the Launch of Dell Women's Entrepreneur Network (DWEN) Chapter in India"](https://www.businesswireindia.com/dell-technologies-announces-the-launch-of-dell-women-entrepreneur-network-dwen-chapter-in-india-64048.html). *www.businesswireindia.com*. Retrieved 2019-07-10.

1. TEDx Talks (2018-08-20), ["Culture- A Change Agent | Sandhya Mendonca | TEDxRamaiahMedicalCollege"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evyWIXk9Hi8), retrieved 2019-05-23

1. ["Women come together in Bengaluru to prepare manifesto with gender lens |"](http://bengaluru.citizenmatters.in/women-come-together-in-bengaluru-to-prepare-manifesto-with-gender-lens-24347). *Citizen Matters, Bengaluru*. 2018-04-30. Retrieved 2018-05-17.

1. ["Women for the win"](https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/opinion/sunday-read/women-for-the-win/articleshow/64045253.cms). *Bangalore Mirror*. Retrieved 2018-05-17.

1. Narayan, Shoba (26 July 2014). ["How Kathak breached the north-south divide"](http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/hPoqKRykCDhyxQHaXCT19N/How-Kathak-breached-the-northsouth-divide.html). *Livemint.com*. Retrieved 14 December 2017.

1. ["Archived copy"](https://web.archive.org/web/20171214183615/http://ieiksc.org/currentnews/Apr2016.pdf). Archived from [the original](http://ieiksc.org/currentnews/Apr2016.pdf) on 14 December 2017. Retrieved 2017-03-28.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Sandhya Mendonca](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandhya_Mendonca) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandhya_Mendonca?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.