[18] In the 1990s, as Project Director of the District Primary Education Programme (DPEP)[19] and Secretary, Department of Education in the Government of Karnataka,[20] Anita played an important role[21] in bringing the Nali Kali (or joyful learning) approach to learning to Karnataka's primary schools.

[6][7] Developed with UNICEF assistance, the Nali Kali strategy adopted creative learning practices in a joyful, affirming, non-threatening environment that helped significantly improve enrollment, particularly of girls, in rural primary schools in Karnataka.

[22] Since 2000, the Nali Kali-inspired, joyful learning strategies have expanded to several Indian states, including Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.

[23] Academic studies[23] have shown that the Nali Kali reforms provided striking insights into how schools can deal more sensitively and effectively with issues of social inequality and exclusion.

[24][25][26] Started in Ernakulam district in 1989, the 'TLC model' of mass literacy constituted the principal strategy of eradicating illiteracy in India during the 1990s.

[32] The Fourth Anita Kaul Lecture was delivered on 23 October 2021 by Pamela Philipose, senior journalist and Ombudsperson, The Wire and chaired by Dr. Harish Khare, former media advisor to the Prime Minister of India and former Editor-in-Chief of The Tribune.