VFS Charcha

IRMA held a VFS Charcha featuring Mr. Sandip Yadav, head of BAIF Development Research Foundation’s Uttarakhand State unit on 03 October 2024. Topic of his discussion was "Leading Sustainable Change through Impactful Solutions and Partnerships to Empower Rural Communities." Mr. Sandip, an IRMAN of PRM37 batch, shared his valuable insights into how BAIF implements sustainable practices within rural communities, focusing on innovative solutions and strategic partnerships. He highlighted the organization's long-standing commitment to empowering these communities, which has allowed BAIF to remain a leader in rural development. The session emphasized the role of sustainability in fostering long-term growth and resilience of people in rural areas. BAIF Development Research Foundation has played a significant role in IRMA’s village field segment in recent years.

On 03 October 2024, as part of the VFS Charcha series, Shri Jagadanand Ji, co-founder of Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD) and former State Information Commissioner of Odisha, delivered a session on “Participatory Governance: Nurturing Young Leaders in Tribal Areas”. The discussion explored the dynamics between passive and active citizenship, emphasizing the cornerstones of participatory governance: participation, inclusion, accountability, and transparency. Shri Jagadanand Ji shed light on the transformative role of the Right to Information Act, 2005, underscoring its uniqueness and the crucial link between exercising the right to information and fostering active citizenship. He further highlighted CYSD's efforts in nurturing young leaders through the ‘Young Community Leadership Programme’, which aims to empower youth in tribal areas to take active roles in local governance, community planning, and monitoring public services. The interactive session encouraged participants to reflect on their roles as active citizens in strengthening democracy.

Shabnam started her journey with GAP Foundation in 2007. She was more into skill development in urban areas. In the initial stages, Shabnam was not aware of the intricacies in the sector, but her journey went through organizations like CARE India and Aatapi Seva Foundation. There, she got direct experience on community issues she was dealing with. Her work in rural settings showed her how sharply the projects told by donors differed from the needs of the communities. Shabnam emphasized inclusion and a community-driven approach, and she referenced her experience in setting up centers for collecting milk, led by women's SHGs. She challenged the development sector for lacing discourse with buzzwords like "inclusion" and "holistic development" and called for focus on actually doing something for real communities. Shabnam finally shared her technique to overcome resistance, especially when mobilizing women in rural areas. She reiterated the importance of involving the whole community, including men, towards an understanding and finally, patronage of work such as SHGs. In her story, she was provocative on development practitioners needing to work creatively within what given constraint was and to make sure that solutions really moved with what the community are looking for and propelled sustainable social change.

Bhavin Desai is an Institutional Development Officer, Valsad Milk Union, Gujarat, and he spoke about the cooperatives in advancing rural development, especially focusing on Vasudhara Dairy. He elaborated on the principles of the cooperative model as "for the people, by the people, through the people." Bhavin went on to speak about how Vasudhara Dairy had uplifted entire communities with its sustainable livelihoods. He drew out the three-tier structure of the dairy and how this impacts livelihoods in rural areas, particularly in the tribal areas of Gujarat. He refers to initiatives like the setting up of milk collection centers, self-help groups, etc. According to him, such approaches are very important in interventions based on bottom-up support and trust building. He refers to his case study on developing a honey farmer producer organization under government schemes. It shows how strategic partnership and perseverance in moving through bureaucratic challenges can be fruitful. Bhavin urged future development professionals to engage intensely with communities during the fieldwork; the results can be a meaningful, sustainable design of the solutions of development. In this regard, he highlighted the crucial role of practical, community-oriented interventions much like those by Vasudhara Dairy, which will help sustain social and economic transformations in the long term.

As part of the ongoing VFS Charcha series, in a session held on 20 September 2024, two scientists from National Remote Sensing Centre, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Hyderabad, namely, Dr. Anjum Mehtab (Sci SG, Head, Rural Development & Watershed Monitoring Division (RDWM) division) and Dr. Stutee Gupta (Sci SF, RDWM division) participated as resource persons.

They provided insights of the applications of the Bhuvan and Yukthadhara portals. The session emphasized the Bhuvan portal's utility in accessing satellite imagery, land-use mapping, disaster management, and resource monitoring. Dr. Anjum explained how Bhuvan plays a critical role in sectors like urban planning, agriculture, and environmental conservation, providing detailed geospatial data to support various initiatives. Dr. Stutee elaborated on the Yukthadhara portal, which complements Bhuvan by focusing on grassroots-level planning and decision-making. Yukthadhara integrates geospatial data for better project formulation under government schemes such as MGNREGA, facilitating more efficient resource allocation and decentralized development planning. This session showcased how these ISRO-developed platforms contribute significantly to sustainable development, effective governance, and planning, particularly for local authorities.

As the part of the session the winners of PRM 44 VFS Mela and Theme Paper poster presenters were awarded. The awardees also shared their experience with the PRM 45 batch.

A VFS Charcha session was conducted on 19 September 2024 with Mr. Dhrubajyoti Sarma, Scientist E, Geo-Spatial Technology and Services division, National Informatics Centre (NIC), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. He provided an overview on the GramManchitra Application developed by his team at NIC.

His presentation highlighted significant evolution of GIS technology in India, particularly its application in rural development. Since the 1990s, GIS has transitioned from desktop-based systems to web-based applications, enhancing accessibility and usability.

He then gave a detailed demonstration of Gram Manchitra, a tool designed to aid in rural development planning. The integration of AI and ML with GIS has further revolutionized the field, enabling efficient data extraction from drone imagery and improving the accuracy of asset mapping and resource allocation. To fully leverage the potential of GIS in rural development, it is essential to verify the accuracy of data, encourage Gram Panchayat adoption of Gram Manchitra, assess water sufficiency, evaluate solar installation potential, and identify road quality improvement needs.

From Influence to Impact: The Role of Social Engineering in Community Development

In this VFS charcha event our speaker was Mr. Rahul Bharodia, Project Manager from CARE India Solutions for Sustainable Development. He made the session interactive and shared various experiences of community development interventions. During the discussion, he highlighted the constraints faced by rural women. Mr. Rahul emphasized on the importance of creating supportive office environments, including introducing creche facilities to support working mothers, implementing power nap sessions post-lunch, and fostering a sense of community even among the employees' children. He also floated the idea of recognizing and supporting male champions, and couple champions. A key takeaway from this session was the necessity of educating men and the people around women to drive societal change. The participants gained a deeper understanding of the importance of gender dialogue and the dynamic nature of the women empowerment framework, which must adapt to the evolving needs of different communities. Mr. Rahul passionately urged that tools and strategies for change must first be applied to oneself before being implemented in a community. His message was loud and clear “Change indeed starts at home, with ourselves, and every employee has the potential to be a leader in this journey towards community development.”

A Manager’s Daily Journey in navigating Realities and Myths of Women's Empowerment through Collectives

In this charcha event, Mr. Sanjeev Kumar, an alumnus of IRMA, shared his on-field experience and the challenges he faced while working towards bringing a positive change at the grassroots. He highlighted how women are better leaders when it comes to cooperatives and explained various levels of cooperative. He firmly believes that, despite the obstacles, women are capable leaders who can drive significant social and economic change when they come together. The event provided attendees with a grounded understanding of the complexities involved in promoting women's empowerment through collectives, while also highlighting the immense potential of such initiatives when implemented effectively.

Challenges and Opportunities of Participatory Development

In this charcha event, Shri Naveen Patidar, an esteemed IRMA alumnus and Chief Executive Officer of the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), discussed the different levels of community engagement. He emphasized that leaders can be built in any community by providing skills training. These leaders then become ambassadors of change and long-term architects driving transformation in their communities. He also highlighted the importance of perseverance, contextual knowledge, and techno-managerial skills in the developmental sector. Shri. Naveen also stressed on intergenerational transformation as a key factor in achieving sustainable community development outcomes. The participants gained valuable insights into the deeper meaning and purpose of working in the development sector and the challenges of spurring grassroots community mobilization.

Beyond Productivity and Populism: Understanding Agrarian India

In this VFS charcha event featured Dr. Richa Kumar and Mr. P.S. Vijayashankar, and it was moderated by Professor Shambu Prasad. The speakers briefed on the findings of the State of Rural and Agrarian India Report 2020. They apprised the participants on the flip side of the conventional approach to agriculture which prioritizes high productivity through excessive use of chemicals, water, and high-yielding variety seeds. This trend has not only affected adversely soil fertility, water table, and human health on account of chemical infusion in the food chain but also pushed the small and marginal farmers into distress as they were typically left out in the process. The speakers covered a few alternative ideas of farming that are socially just, economically stable, ecologically sustainable, and politically democratic. They emphasized ecologically and locally appropriate agriculture, decentralized policy, alternative metrics for measuring development, and recognition of ecological services on one hand and climate change on the other.

Lab to Farm and Farm to Market

The charcha event featured Dr. Swati Nayak, an alumna IRMA and a scientist at the CGIAR International Rice Research Institute. Dr. Swati, the 2023 Borlaug Field Award Winner from the World Food Prize Foundation, shared her remarkable journey transitioning from a management graduate to a renowned agricultural researcher. Dr. Swati’s expertise in agriculture and rice research shed invaluable light on the intricate processes involved in taking scientific discoveries from the lab to the farm and ultimately to the market. Furthermore, she shared her valuable experiences in engaging women and communities in technology scaling and targeting programs, highlighting the importance of inclusive and participatory approaches in agricultural development. The session was a testament to Dr. Swati's outstanding contributions and dedication to the field of agriculture.

Drafting a Rural Story

This charcha session was anchored by Mr. Sanket Jain, who is a senior fellow at the People's Archive of Rural India, extensively reported on critical issues such as climate change's impact on mental health, human-wildlife conflict, the agrarian crisis, etc. His lived experiences with everyday people serve as the foundation for his storytelling through pictures. During the session, Mr. Sanket demonstrated different ways of storytelling, particularly through the effective use of visuals. His insights proved invaluable for the participants as they prepared for their village field segment journey, offering them opportunities to enhance their storytelling skills and effectively communicate the stories of rural areas. He further, emphasized the importance of patience, compassion, and ethical consideration when engaging with local communities.

Weaving Development through Women Collectives

In this VFS Charcha, the speaker Ms. Switha Vijaya, an alumna of IRMA and founder of Chitrika Foundation, shared her inspiring journey of establishing Chitrika Foundation in 2005 to revitalize weaver producer enterprises and transform them into sustainable business ventures. Her philosophy of "The poor should not be served poorly" resonated deeply with the participants, emphasizing the need for equitable development and an egalitarian society. Ms. Switha's personal experiences at VFS inspired her to embark on a collective mission to empower impoverished communities. Her insights encouraged participants to explore innovative ideas and adopt novel approaches to uplift underprivileged sections of society.

Perspectives on Sustainability and Rural Development

This VFS charcha session was anchored by Mr. Shrashtant Patara, the CEO of Development Alternatives. The session was moderated by Professor Shambu Prasad. The speaker delved into the concept of sustainability within the realm of rural development, emphasizing its multifaceted significance. He highlighted the necessity of adopting a holistic approach that encompasses environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Through some examples, Mr. Shrashtant illustrated how sustainable practices can effectively address poverty, environmental degradation, and enhance the well-being of rural communities. From initiatives focusing on renewable energy, organic farming, waste management, to skill development, the speaker, drawing from Development Alternatives' projects, shared several case studies that demonstrated examples of sustainability in action.

Microplanning for Village Development

In this charcha event, Shri Meher Gadekar, an IRMAN, shared his three-decade-long experience of working with Cooperative Federations, International Development Agencies, Corporates, and Govt. Organisations. His talk focused on how microplanning developed in India as an alternative to the top-down approach and how the same is being used in village development. He introduced the students to the basics of microplanning including its process and steps of preparation. By giving examples of a few model villages, he demonstrated the application of microplanning in achieving a decentralized and flexible development through rural institutions catering to the needs of the last person in the queue. The VFS charcha committee moderated the session.

Remote Sensing Applications: For Rural Planning

At this chacha event, two scientists from the National Remote Sensing Centre, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), namely Mr. A Lesslie and Ms. Kushboo Mirza steered the discussion. They showcased the transformative applications of satellite technology for rural development. Participants were introduced to various indigenous applications of Geographic Information Systems and Space-Based Information systems, highlighting their role in decentralized village planning. The scientists demonstrated how these technologies support the achievement of localized sustainable development goals (LSDGs) set by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India. The LSDGs are getting reflected in gram panchayat development plans (GPDPs). The speakers showed some cases of ISRO applications' contribution to some of the GPDPs. The VFS charcha committee moderated the session.

Gram Swaraj - A Gandhian Concept of a Self-Sustained Village

This VFS charcha was anchored by two Gandhians: Professor Prasad Gollanapalli, Managing Trustee of Gandhi King Foundation, India and Dr. Christian Bartolf, President of Gandhi Information Centre, Germany. This charcha on Gram Swaraj was moderated by Professor Saswat Biswas. The speakers highlighted the intrinsic self-reliance of Indian villages and passionately advocated for the vision of Mahatma Gandhi's swaraj. The speakers argued that modern society has inadvertently diminished the true essence of village life, emphasizing the urgent need to uplift and empower rural communities. Both the speakers supported their claims with compelling historical references, underscoring the significance of villages as independent entities within India's social fabric. They called for a societal introspection and a realignment of priorities, stressing that village development should be guided by the unique needs of rural areas rather than external demands. They advocated for nurturing the holistic growth of rural areas to break the cycle of generational farming and create diverse opportunities for individuals to thrive.

Anchoring Change - Seventy Five Years of Grassroots Intervention That Made a Difference

This VFS Charcha session featured Ms. Neelima Khetan, former Chief Executive Officer of Seva Mandir and Ms. Sunita Nadhamuni, Chairperson of Araghyam. The session focused on the impactful and transformative work of NGOs like Pratham and Seva Mandir Organization, which are dedicated to uplifting marginalized communities. Ms. Neelima Khetan, an esteemed IRMA alumna emphasized the critical role of the Village Fieldwork Segment in shaping the visions of IRMANs. Both the speakers shared their experiences in terms of leadership roles in some of the leading development organization of the country. They emphasized that unlike corporates, where the sole motive is to have a bigger profit, development organizations have multitude of goals; hence complex and more challenging; and more fulfilling too. Professor Shambu Prasad, who moderated the session, initiated a discussion on the book ‘Anchoring Change: Seventy-Five Years of Grassroots Intervention That Made a Difference’ which is co-edited by Ms. Neelima Khetan. The book has 24 organizations which have anchored an alternative, grassroots-based, sustainable development model. Participants were encouraged to draw inspiration from these models to drive positive change in their own careers.

Development Journeys: Communities and Consultants

This VFS charcha session was graced by Mr. Prema Gera, a veteran development sector professional having experiences with several national and international non-government organizations. The session was moderated by Professor Shambu Prasad. Ms. Prema highlighted that a fulfilling career in development is vastly different from the corporate world, where success often comes from pursuing promotions and appraisals. Instead, she explained that the development sector presents a unique path filled with unexpected surprises and challenges. Her session encouraged participants to embrace these challenges and stay committed to their mission, underlining the rewarding nature of a career dedicated to community development and social impact. Further, drawing from decades of work across various roles, she emphasized the importance of practices such as regularly updating field journals.

Issues in Water and Sanitation – A Rural Perspective

In this VFS Charcha, three discussants participated: Ms. Malligai M.K. and Mr. Ethiraj Murugan – both from MYRADA and Mr. Utkarsh Dwivedi from Shramik Bharati. The discussion focused on the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program, focusing on safe drinking water and sanitation services under the Swachh Bharat Mission. Professor Indranil De moderated the discussion. The speakers addressed technological gaps in structured toilets and shared their experiences with various WASH challenges. From their field experiences, the speakers highlighted use of Participatory Rural Appraisal activities such as transect walks, social and resource mapping, and conducting focus group discussions to identify challenges and finding solutions. The speakers emphasized the importance of a holistic approach, combining community awareness activities, water infrastructure development, school hygiene education, and strong grassroots governance to drive positive change. Participants gained valuable insights into effective strategies for improving WASH services and fostering community-led development.

Issues and Challenges of Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO)

In this edition of VFS Charcha, 25 functionaries from 11 FPOs across Madhya Pradesh discussed about the different issues and challenges of running Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). The session was moderated by Ms. Sarah and Mr. Rajesh - two managers at the Incubator for Social Enterprises and Entrepreneurs for Development (ISEED), IRMA. The FPO functionaries shared their experiences regarding the formation of their companies, the composition of their membership, and the various technologies they employ. The session was held in question and answer mode. The discussions provided a platform for the functionaries to highlight the unique challenges they face in their operations, from organizational hurdles to technological adoption. Through their shared experiences, attendees gained valuable insights into the practical aspects of establishing and managing FPOs, along with strategies to overcome common obstacles.

Working with Collective Enterprises

This Charcha event featured two IRMANs: Ms. Gijivisha Khattry and Mr. Rajat Tomar. Ms. Gijivisha works as a development professional at WASSAN (Watershed Support Services and Activities Network), Hyderabad, Telangana. Mr. Rajat Tomar is the CEO of Ram Rahim Pragati Producer Company Limited, Bagli, Madhya Pradesh. The event was moderated by Professor Shambu Prasad. Ms. Gijivisha and Mr. Rajat shared their first-hand experiences and challenges encountered while working in the development sector. Their narratives highlighted the realities of on-the-ground development work and the importance of building strong, collective enterprises to drive community progress. They also recollected their involvement in Village Field Stays (VFS), detailing how they adapted to village life and effectively managed their responsibilities. They also emphasized how VFS motivated their course at IRMA and shaped their career in development sector.

Innovations in Development Interventions

This charcha event focused on different innovative strategies the development organizations adopt to steer through the uncertainties in field and achieve the desired objectives. Mr. Sandip Yadav from the BAIF Development Research Foundation provided an in-depth look at BAIF's origins, vision, and mission. He highlighted how the organization has achieved its goals through a combination of development and research, utilizing local resources, extending appropriate technologies, and enhancing specific skills and capabilities with active community participation. Mr. Ankit Mudgal from Development Alternatives presented innovative approaches to entrepreneurship, focusing on creating eco-solutions that benefit both people and the planet. His session underscored the importance of innovation in developing sustainable and impactful solutions for the communities. This was the second and last charcha event hosted under the Institute – Industry cell.

Development Interventions: Conception to Realization

In this Charcha, Mr. Ishan Agrawal from the Foundation for Ecological Security and Ms. Shubha Khadke from the Development Support Centre shared their outlook of working in development projects. The main thrust of both the speakers was on empowering communities through local participation in development. The key topics included were the establishment and strengthening of self-governance institutions and the promotion of people-led and collective action processes. The speakers provided their insights of different steps in project execution: effective project proposal writing, strategies and planning, resource allocation, and monitoring tools essential for successful project implementation. Participants also benefited from the speakers' real-world experiences, shared through detailed case studies of a few interventions. To a question, “How much commitment do we need for the development of the community?”, one of the speakers gave a convincing response, “Lifelong”. This is the first VFS charcha event hosted under the Institute – Industry cell.