LLF is run under the inspiring leadership of its Founder and Executive Director Dr. Dhir Jhingran. A former IAS officer, Dr. Jhingran took voluntary retirement from services to follow his passion and commitment towards India’s education sector.

With an extensive engagement of over three decades in the primary education sector, both within and outside the Government, he has significantly contributed to the advancement of educational policies and programs. During his tenure in the Indian Administrative Service, he played instrumental roles in policy-making within the Ministry of Education at the national level.

His significant contributions extend to the development and implementation of early-grade reading initiatives in various countries across Asia and Africa, as well as the establishment of first language-based multilingual education programs in several Indian states. Notably, his work focuses on conceptualising and executing large-scale programs to bring about transformative and sustained improvements in the quality of school education.

As a member of the National Steering Committee for the development of the National Curriculum Framework, he actively participates in shaping the educational landscape of India. Dr. Dhir Jhingran has authored three books on primary education, drawing from empirical research, and has contributed to numerous books and journals, further solidifying his stature as a thought leader in the field of education.