Dr. Ramaswami Balasubramaniam (Balu) is a development scholar, author, public policy advocate, and leadership trainer, known for his pioneering development work with rural and tribal people in Saragur and Heggadadevana Kote Taluks of Mysuru in Karnataka, India. He founded the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), a development organization based in Saragur, at the age of 19. After spending 26 years in development work among rural and tribal people, he pursued academic degrees in leadership, organizational development, and public policy. He was the Frank H T Rhodes Professor at Cornell University from 2012 to 2014 and continues to hold academic positions at Cornell University and other universities. His books 'Voices from the Grassroots' and 'i, the citizen' are compilations of narratives and reflections of a development expert and have been globally acclaimed. He is also the Founder of Grassroots Research And Advocacy Movement (GRAAM), a public policy think tank based in Mysuru. He currently serves as a full-time Member-HR in the Capacity Building Commission of the Government of India. Inspired by the message of Swami Vivekananda, he considers his life's mission to be building a resurgent India by inspiring leadership among the youth of the country.

He is currently the Chairperson of the Social Stock Exchange Advisory Committee of the Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI).