Gramya Manthan - Manthan for a
Cause
“Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.”
“Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.”
The
word ‘Manushyan’ (in Malayalam) synonym to ‘Human’ means ‘an entity who
thinks’, itself makes human beings unique among creations. While reading in
line with the thoughts of philosophers, thinking gives meaning for life and way
out in any impasse. The words of Bacon “Reading makes a full man, writing and
exact man and conference a ready man” is suffice to prove this fact. The basic idea
behind ‘The Gramya Manthan’ (GM), a Rural Immersion program I attended recently
was almost in compliance with this idea; churning; storming and thinking of
brains. Based on the founding theme ‘connecting youth with a cause’, youths
from different parts of India put their brain, mind, and body together for a
cause - inclusive development. While we are boasting on the demographic
dividend of India, Youth Alliance (YA) – a team of young minds strive to turn
this tremendous power in to a right direction. Showing the way, clearing the path
and leading millions, what else an individual or an organization can do for the
well being of human. Albeit in an infant stage, I believe Youth Alliance is
right in this direction.
About us
It
is important to say a few words about Youth Alliance, own and operate by a
group of vibrant and dynamic young minds from different parts of India, try
hard for inculcating the vision of national development in young minds, and always
seek for effective platforms to imparting the right vision for right people. It
obliterates a common psyche; social service is not a right profession for
talented people. Contrary to this believe almost all the members of YA are from
prestigious top Universities in India and abroad. This was from the realization
“We are one, We Will be One” and there is nothing better than lighting the
lives of our fellow beings. Mr. Prakhar Bartiya and Ms. Shefali, two young
IITians are the founders of Youth Alliance. Notwithstanding YA is in an
embryonic stage and experiencing trial and error learning, I am not daring to
predict the future of YA. The words of Margert Mead is more than enough to
explain this observation. “Never doubt
that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has”.
A
touching prayer chanted by the team recapitulates like
“No
matter where I go
There
will be more questions
Yet
more to believe
The
more I live, the more I learn
The
more I learn
The
more I realize the less I known
Learn
more and unlearn more”
Wherever
we are, be with the flag of love and care, lend your hands for affirmative
action’s, ready to face any lampoons and lambasts, and allzeit berit to elicit
the facts. Above all, it’s a part of our life; and obviously a lessons
learning. It is heartening to realize that “the real knowledge is the knowing
of the extent of our ignorance”. Learn more and unlearn the preconceived wrong
notions.
Before
moving to the ‘WALK’ with Gramya Manthan, I would like to bring your attention
to an awe inspiring quote about the purpose of life; Its “Love, Learn and Leave
a Legacy”. The question I put forward is “what kind of legacy you are going to
leave for your followers? And how people will remember you after your death? Will
your footprints guide your future generation to happiness? If it is not a challenging question for you,
it’s now your turn to averse from the matter of people with a cause. If it is
‘no’, I wholeheartedly welcome you to WALK with us, ‘a group of youth tries
hard to leave a legacy for the present and future’.
Don’t
come to an immediate conclusion and don’t search for an everlasting solution;
that was an advice for the ‘Change Agents (CA)’. Neither any conclusion nor any
solutions but for an evolution’!
There
were around 35 participants from 21 states and almost all were from some
prestigious organizations or institutions. The theme envisioned by the
organizers can be encapsulated as ‘WALK’
W
– Witness Nature
A
– Accept Constraints
L
– Love Yourselves
K-
Know others
Red Carpet Welcome
Mr.
Ajay, an young and magnificent person from Delhi University was at the board
with warm smiles, whole heartedly received all the delegates. He was
accompanied by a charming young man, Divas – a Gandhi Fellowship holder, cherished
the team with his eloquence and thoughtful expressions. The smile became warmer
when we reached at the camp, Abhilasha – Friendly, intelligent and sleepy,
Vibhoothi – wise, energetic, creative and smiley, Seema – calm, genuine and
helping and Pallavi – chatty, cheaty and fatty created an ambience of energy
and enthusiasm. Shashank is a smiling hero, Vibhor is a charming musical bee,
Kishan is a provoking ponder, and Amaresh the rooster whose action come first then
words are the other key persons worked hard to make this immersion a fruitful
event.
Kicked off
We
spent first two days for interaction, introduction and intensive brain
storming. Adored with creative and rigorous activities, we filled the premises
with one spirit and one vision. Anshu Gupta – a social leader makes dignity and
change with cloth was the special invitee for the inauguration. People listened
his awe-inspiring words with an absolute silence. With colors and coolers
opening ceremony inspired the minds of each and every one. The foot prints we
made with different colors on the board and on the tapestry was an eternal
pledge of Indian Youths for a better India. The rendezvous filled with energy
and enthusiasm when we were listening the National Anthem by an assembly of
differently abled students. With a whole hollipuration, ‘Yes’ echoed all around.
The dusty and rustic trails started, beyond caste, creed, region, religion and
language everyone gathered with a feeling of oneness. People from myriad backgrounds cheered with
one heart and one mind ‘unity in diversity!
Rustic trails
Now
we are in the village. The three
villages Ganga Deen Nevada (GDN), Tishti and Paliya in Uttar Pradesh, around
500 km away from Delhi and 80 km away from Kanpur city, and there are approximately
7000 people dwell in these villages without all proper facilities. To be more
specific, we are in a ‘Kilkari Centre’, a portion of a rural school occupied by
the Youth Alliance for organizing their permanent rural activities. Our team
consists of 15girls and 20 boys, and the space available for sleeping has the
carrying capacity of maximum 25. It is now around 12’O clock night and village
is in a deep sleep, but we wander there without light and way. At last we found
out a few class rooms, but that was with full of dusts and dirt. With a
combined effort we managed to find some platform form to sleep; someone lied in
that rough surface and some on slept in the Veranda.
Time
is around 4’O Clock morning, watching the traces of sunrise birds start murmur
and peacock hauls loudly. We wake up and search for a space to bath, wash and
latrine. People bath under a bore well hand pump and someone identified a
toilet. While time moves people queued in front of single toilet. That was a
well beginning for all, 50 people and one toilet. Fortunately, a severe rain
relieved us from the hot climate.
I struggled
I
was really struggling by the language barrier, climate and food because I was
the only person in the team without knowing Hindi. I felt ‘almost lost’
sometimes, some occasions I thought ‘I am like an ant in heaven’ and many times
I felt ‘headache’ when I forced to listen rhetoric speeches in Hindi without
understanding anything. I was missing almost all the funs because all those
were in Hindi. I glorified my land a ‘paradise’ and ‘God’s own Country’ and
desperately longed to speak in Malayalam. Yes; that was the ‘A’ – Accept
Constraints. But all my friends were with me to translate whenever I feel
trouble and they were consistently encouraging me to speak. Considering my
difficulty and to ease my constraint, YA Team decided to use English as a
medium for open discussions. That was also an ‘A’ for others and they managed
to use English in almost all discussions.
Even
though there is no match with Kerala cuisines, I like many North Indian dishes,
but the boiling sun spoiled my taste and taken away hunger. Albeit I didn’t
want too much daal, rasam and some other varieties, my taste buds and stimuli
was always salivating to have that delicious dishes. I tried to avoid food many
times and managed to end up with juice.
Water was very hard with high mineral content that was not suitable for
drinking due to its odd taste. But no one can survive there without drinking
water due to the high rate of dehydration at a temperature near 45 degrees.
Then,
we separated in to three groups and moved to the hinterlands of the villages.
Our focus was to find a place to dwell for at least one day, and to interact,
understand and learn the life style of village people. Our team was led by Deepu
Bhayya, an energetic youth in the Tishti village. He sent each of us to
different houses but the responsibility to convince the family for the need of a
space to stay remains lied with us. When my turn came, Deepu Bhyya sent me to
his house and his family welcomed me with joy and happiness. But I was like a
fish outside water, without knowing Hindi I failed miserably to communicate
with any of the family members. Even though I was troubling, I nodded my heads
to their talks as a response that prompted them to continue with their rhetoric
eloquence.
That
was a combination of two family and these brothers live their peacefully. Sri
Prem Tiwari is the family head, Pamidhani Devi, the mother, Deepu, Shiva,
Savindr, and Amkith are their children. They served food and I also gave some
sweets for the family. I spent some time with a group of kids in the evening by
playing some games. Even though we slept in the open terrace by experiencing an
uninterrupted gentle breeze, a mild train interrupted our deep sleep, so we
moved down.
There
is no electricity, gas connection and toilet in that house. When I enquired
about toilet, they showed me an open area above the ground level. Fearing the
danger of open defection and a strong mind of reluctance, I deliberately
controlled my food to reduce the output. I have approached a doctor in the
Primary Health Centre as he was the only solace for me because he knew English.
But he was not aware about any issues of that village. While I moved out the
PHC, an old man started to ask some questions and I was standing like an ass
because of the language barrier. Some children gathered there was laughing at
me by listening the jokes of that senior citizen. In between he raised various
concerns like the objective of people like me in this rural village by
criticizing that I am a tourist and I am getting some financial assistance from
government.
I
was astonished by meeting a young man who feeds, grazes, baths and takes care
of his 8 cattle even though he has only one leg and walks with the help of
a stretcher., that reiterates me the fact
‘count your blessings’. Whenever we blame on our ‘have not’s’ remember this
young man, then you will start count your blessings. It is our ‘haves’ and not
‘have not’s’ that we should consider and be thankful to God always.
Contrary
to my expectation, I was amazed by the curiosity, skill, intelligence and
energy of rural students that pronounces that they also can grow and achieve
highness. Amidst constraints and limitations, they maintain their interest to
learn and eagerness to study, now I remember the words of Wordsworth “Child is
the father of man”. The faces of Priya,
Hiamnshu, Anshu, Deepthi, Sachin and Sarmah are still in my memory.
We
spent three days in the village for observation and intensive interactions with
villagers and students to identify different issues of people and the major
impediments of growth. In order to make a YA impact and to inculcating the need
for health and hygiene, we organized medical camp, clean drive, street play,
and awareness campaigns; and spent a whole day with students in the Kilkari
centre by organizing certain games, moral stories and subject sessions.
We
had a session with Ravi Gulathi, Manzil on Moral values and an interactive
session with the founder of smile initiative Yes, I am the change; that
strengthened our values, morals and productive innovations. Quoting the words
of Gandhi, ‘the great problem after Independence will be heartless
intellectuals’; these persons with brain and heart exhorted us to see opportunities
in the midst of problems.
The
theme and structure was really spectacular especially for the new comers. I
believe the aim of the program was to trigger a ‘rethink’ in the youth – a
journey from ‘the self’ to ‘the other’, know yourself, know others, love
yourself and love others.
In to the rural hinterlands
35
People, 10 Days and 3 Villages. I believe issues are almost similar, but
solution may be different. Livelihood, health, sanitation, education, and
energy were the identified core areas of concern and intervention. One village
doesn’t have electricity; all others have power lines without electricity
supply. People get hardly 2 or 3 hours power supply in a week and that will be
in the midnight. People don’t have latrine facilities and those who have the
sanitation facility hardly use it, women remains in their houses without any
jobs, young people are wandering here and there without doing any productive
works. Animal husbandry and livestock are the integral part of their life and
almost all houses have 3 or 4 buffalos, and some people have agriculture lands.
Issue
of poverty is not a concern, but most of the girl children are lacking
nutritious food and drop out of girls is alarmingly high. As in all over India,
the gender disparity and adolescent girls issues are prevalent in these
villages that need to be consider with urgency. Students want to continue their
education but lack of finance and access for education remain a hurdle. Above all,
government is a far dream for citizens of these rural villages. Surpanch is
helpless and people are hopeless, landlords and certain rare power centers
control everything, and lack of able leadership is lingering problem.
While
proclaiming Right to Education (RTE), students don’t have necessary facilities
in schools. Issues like shortage of teachers, lack of information and exposure,
no toilets, and meager infrastructure are the impediments for education and Mid
Day Meal Scheme is a dream for these children. How our India will India grows
when millions of children struggle in the similar perils and when this plight
condition prevails in an around 7 lakhs of Indian villages? Many questions and
fewer answers!
While
my colleagues refute my opinion of the need for strenuous efforts to connecting
people and government by the ideology of ‘making a difference first then take
the success story to the government’, my serious concern is ‘how an infant
organization without fund and functionaries can make a difference in the
society without any government support? What kind of long term impact we can
make in these villages rather than building a good rapport between people and
government?
Certain realities – an impediment
to development
I
think, I should explain it with certain facts. The UN Secretary-General has
stated, “Good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in
eradicating poverty and promoting development.” In current usage, to govern
means to steer, to control, and to influence from a position of authority. In
1949, Dr. B.R Ambedkar said in a speech in the Assembly that on the 26th of
January, we are going to enter a life of contradictions. In politics we will
have equality and in social and economic life, we will have inequality ……. More
than 50 years later in India we still live this life of contradictions; the
reformers have paid little attention to the crucial problems of governance in
matters of achieving human development. Of course, decentralization of
governance which the 73rd and the 74th constitutional amendments in the early
1990s has raised hopes for better delivery of public services, sensitive to
local needs. But so far the progress in this respect has been disappointing in
most states, both in terms of actual devolution of authority and funds, and the
outcome variables of services actually delivered.
In India literacy of women is 65.46%, MMR is
212/100000 and IMR 49/1000. Child sex ratio has dropped from 927 in 2001 to 914
in 2011, participation women in Public Sector concerns is around 22% and total
proportion of women in any kind of paid work is no more than 15%. Sexual
harassment, dowry assault, biased health care, death, low literacy,
discrimination at work place and subjugation at home are a few disturbing
issues still prevail. 50% of Indian
children drop out reaching before 6, 36.22 complete secondary education. Of the
total infant mortality cases 59% are girls, 49.78 percent girls are married
before attaining 18, and about 40% of child marriage occurs in India. Child
labour, trafficking of girls for prostitution and kidnapping are a worrying
concern. Highest child labour is among scheduled tribes and Muslims followed by
scheduled castes and crimes against women is higher than population growth
Countries like India, people are poor
and infrastructures are not up to the mark. Under such condition it becomes
very difficult to provide government services to the people. There are number
of reasons for that- poverty, technical illiteracy, language dominance,
unawareness, lack of participations of society, inequality, infrastructure, , and operational reluctance.
In 2010, India ranked 119 among 192
countries across the world, with a medium level HDI of 0.52, moving one notch
higher as compared to 2005. According to United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) data, it is among the top 10 movers in gross domestic product (GDP)
growth. However, despite this, certain sections of society remain excluded,
especially in terms of improvements in human capabilities and entitlements.
This IHDR shows that the HDI has increased by 21 per cent between
1999–2000 and 2007–8 (the latest year for which it can be estimated). Equally
importantly, it shows that the increase in HDI in the states that are among the
poorest has been much faster than the national
The top 5 per cent households in rural
India owned 36 per cent of the total value assets, while the bottom 60
In some states, the status of hunger and
malnutrition is very worrisome. In 12 of 17 major states the condition is
‘alarming’ as stated in an International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
report of 2009. Sixty years after Independence, nearly half of India’s children
under three years of age are malnourished. In addition, India has the largest
number of malnourished children in the world. Hidden hunger indicators, or
micro-nutrient deficiencies show a situation that is even worse. Anaemia among
women has been increasing over the years in India. More than half of women aged
15–49 years suffered from anemia (55.3 per cent), an increase of three percentage
points over 1998–9. Incidence of anaemia was the highest for Bihar (78 per
cent), followed by Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh (74 per cent each).
Further, female malnutrition among SCs
and STs has been increasing over the years. The highest percentage of
underweight and stunted children was recorded for STs (54.5% and 53.9%
respectively) followed by SCs (47.9% and 53.9% respectively). Children
belonging to the STs had the highest percentage suffering from anaemia in
2005–6, followed by SCs. Among both SCs and STs, a high percentage of children
suffering from anaemia hail from states with a low per capita income, namely,
West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh,
and Bihar.
Unfortunately, our public expenditure on
education and health is lower than that in Sub-Saharan Africa, a region known
for its low human development indicators. Thus, the combination of low public
expenditure on both health and education has had serious, long-lasting adverse
consequences for India’s human development levels.
Way Foreword
While
thinking on the solution, the realization I have is that issues are complex and
there is no magic wand to cure it in a day. Obviously, it’s a long term process
that requires active support of local community and local self government.
Unless they accept these as their issues and own the agenda for development, all
the efforts will be in vain. Rather than endowment, providing empowerment for
the village people through grass root level interventions, continuous
awareness, and capacity building programs can make some meaning in the lives of
villagers. Setting up of an institutional mechanism to discuss and debate on
people issues is vital for the follow up and making plans sustainable. A
committee or council consists of core people with keen interest on social
development facilitated by a permanent change agent (educated visionary) is a
need of this hour for the implementation of long term plans.
Extension
of the activities of the learning centre and the livelihood centre established
by Youth Alliance seems a viable opportunity for the integration long term
plans. Identification of raw materials, possibility of value added products,
facilities for skill development and training, industry – community tie ups,
and rural innovations need to be explored and facilitated. In order to provide
exposure and knowledge for students, we need an array of useful books and
informative materials, IT education, and a part time advisor cum
councilor/mentor. Rather than ignoring government programs and schemes, the
facilitator should develop a community conscience and trigger a collective
movement to get the rights and privileges of people. Multitude of rural
development projects like Bharath Nirman,Nirmal Bharath, NABARD, RRB, IBRD,
MNREGA, Janani Surakhs Jojana, Naipunya Skill Development Scheme, Mid Day Meal
Scheme, loans, subsidies and financial assistance, Total Sanitation Campaign,
ASHA, RMP, etc. of Government of India are not merely for wasting the exchequer
but for the overall Human Development Index and the objectives of these
initiatives should reach at the people through a village information centre in
the Kilkari or any other source.
At
the same time, party and power centers located in the villages are emerging as
a major impediment for growth that act as a barrier to bridge the gap between
government and people. Even though situations are like this, it is not healthy
to maintain this condition while considering the aspiration for long term
sustainable growth. Here the challenging role of Change Agents (CA) should be
the link – up.
Education
1
|
Lack of
Infrastructure
|
While considering
the infrastructure constrains like desk and benches, black board, toilet,
drinking water, ventilation, electricity, etc. either strong intervention
from government or a strong support from Corporate/Philanthropists is
required. The permanent change agent in the village should take initiative to
convince the seriousness of this issue to the local people and political
parties and bring it in to the attention of authorities. In order to build a
fruitful rapport between government/agencies/corporate a strenuous effort and
leadership of local institution is very vital.
The issue of
quality education, lack of information and exposure, financial constraint,
attitude of parents, drop outs, health and hygiene issues of students, etc.
need to be addressed with the resource of Youth Alliance Team. Setting up of
an information centre in the Kilkari Centre with a sufficient number of
useful books, news paper, magazines etc. suffice to solve this issue in a
basic level. A book bank shall set up with support from local private
institutions/donation. As the commitment made by the Change Agents, YA can
ensure the availability of a member as counselor/mentor/trainer twice in a
month in the Kilkari Centre and they can update these students about career
opportunities, extracurricular activities, scholarships, competitions etc.
Continuous
awareness is an integral component for change and this is already being in
the commitment of CA. But someone from
Kanpur or YA should coordinate the teams in the villages to avoid clash,
reputation and discontinuity.
|
2
|
Issue of
quality education
|
|
3
|
Health and
hygiene
|
|
4
|
Scarcity of exposure
|
|
5
|
Lack of
information
|
|
6
|
Financial
constraints for higher education
|
|
7
|
Drop out of
girl children
|
|
8
|
Attitude of
Parents
|
|
9
|
Family back
ground and economic backwardness
|
|
10
|
Career
guidance, counseling, effective parenting, and child care issues
|
Health
1
|
Lack of sanitation facility
|
Teach, Teach,
Teach and Teach
Awareness
Components:
Awareness is the only successful strategy feasible for tackling manifold
health issues in these villages.
Training
Module
is essential for the implementation of training
Information on Janani Surakhsa Yojana,
Janani – Shishu Surakhsa Karyakrama, Nirmal Bharath, National Rural Health
Mission, RMP’s, ASHA’s and PHC’s
Rigorous Training in school on health
related practices (How to bath, how to use toilet, cutting of nail, washing
of hands, dress, behavior etc.)
Flies control and hygiene food
Issues of open defecation and
advantage of latrines
Awareness on communicable and non
communicable diseases, precaution and diagnosis, pregnancy care, effective
parenting, child care etc.
Information on generic drug,
immunization, HIV Awareness
Environmental hygiene and waste
management
Students
Oriented Strategy:
Target for awareness should be students and make them the herald of good
habits.
Women centered
Education
(Awareness) (women are better mangers than their male counterpart in the
promotion of rural sanitation, health and education) but men are the decision
makers.
Anti Tobacco Campagin:
Workshops, Hoardings, displays and
Notices
Issues of dehydration, hard water and
nutritious/balanced diet
Protection of children (5500 cases in
UP, 2011) and women from sexual harassments
Institutional
Mechanism:
Village Health and Sanitation Committee
Health day at Anganvadi
Coordination of PHC, RMP, ASHA and LSG
Committee
Action Components:
Artificial pond/water reservoir, rain
water harvest mechanism at least in schools
Bio Mass Transfer Technology,
Community Toilets
|
2
|
Lack of personal hygiene
|
|
3
|
Issues of environmental concern and
waste management
|
|
4
|
Special health concerns of women (STP,
RTI etc.)
|
|
5
|
Superstitious believes
|
|
6
|
In active RMP’s and ASHA
|
|
7
|
Meager condition of Anganvadis
|
|
8
|
Lack of parents consideration for
children health
|
|
9
|
Rare cases of anemia, malnourishment
and poverty
|
|
10
|
Women forced to be the ‘prisoners of
day light’ due to no access to a safe latrine facility in the day lights that
creates hard illness, assaults and low dignity
|
|
11
|
Drug/Tobacco addicted youths
|
|
12
|
Manual Scavenging (?)
|
Livelihood and Energy
1
|
Unemployed
Youth
|
Even though it
is in the clutches of corruption,
it is noticed that most of the
family depend on MNREGA Scheme for their livelihood. While livestock is the
other important source of income, a few find income from agriculture.
As an area
needs technical expertise, someone should take initiative to coordinate
farmers with the nearby KVK for
the exploration of possibilities in agriculture sector.
Irrigation: Strengthening of canal system, motor
pumps and mechanization.
Possibility of
precision farming and drip irrigation, Identification of adapted verities for
cultivation, Kisan Information Service, Value
added products from milk, and Promotion of vegetable cultivation
Vocational Training and Skill Development Work shop for
Youth: Imparting skills in plumbing, wiring, driving etc.
Employment Service Cell: Information
about job opportunities and industry interaction for affirmative actions
Competitive Exam Coaching: Training for
educated youth for Bank Exam, State/Union/Defense exams
Extension of
Livelihood centre: Focus on women
Social Enterprise Training for Women:
Cloth Bag, Paper bag, Embroidery, Paintings, snacks, pappad making,
handicrafts and souvenirs, sticking, home based contracts for
business/industry/corporate, etc.
Capacity Building for women
SHG’s: Seed money, equipments, facilities, training and skill development,
etc.
Industry Link- Up: It is a
challenging task for YACA’s to identify market for the products and
employment. Industry collaboration is very imperative for this project
As power lines
exist with hardly any supply, the possibility of solar power is a secondary
option. But it should be promoted in association with ANERT – MNREGA as a
sustainable energy source. It is a most possible project to produce energy
from bio mass as bio mass is a common raw material in every house, that will
ease the cooking effort of home makers.
|
2
|
Lack of skill
development training
|
|
3
|
Disguised
Unemployment
|
|
4
|
Water logged
roads
|
|
5
|
Lack of
irrigation facility
|
|
6
|
Lack of market
link up
|
|
7
|
Inadequate and
erratic electric supply
|
|
8
|
Women with lot
of spare time
|
|
9
|
Availability
of power/energy is a major concern for the villagers that affect the studies
of students, security of women and children. As the power line exists in the
villages, solution to this peril is not a herculean task if high level
intervention possible from the YA side. If there any technical reason, we
need to explore non renewable sources.
|
(YA should submit any the Youth
Alliance Change Agents (YACA) proposals to agencies like NABARD, DST, and any
other ministries for funding. That is the viable and effective way for
plausible intervention in the community)
This life I have
but once to live
I will give my
heart and soul
Let’s
start a grass root level intervention in these village with a long term plans
and visions, may be with small actions but that should have a long term impact,
and I believe “First they ignore you,
then they laugh at you, then they light you, and then you win”.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Some amazing
personalities I met in the Gramya Manthan
Akshitha Singal from Lady Shriram
College, Delhi
She remembered
me the last chapter of ‘The Animal Farm’; “all animals are equal but some
animals are more equal than others”. Akshita has some
specifics, laughs in a giggling mode with full involvement. When I met her first, she was
reading ‘The Animal Farm’ George Orwell’. She wished me with a peaceful smile,
I was curious to know her interest and philosophical dimensions. She reads a
lot, which makes her to think progressively and act seriously. Albeit we
discussed a little about industrialization and capitalism, I smelt that her
mind was eager to wander with the animals in the farm.
Next
day, while we were visiting the village, I asked her, did you complete reading the
Animal Farm? She said, No. I need to think and register the theme, and a fast
reading will not give any meaning. Her words prompted me to think and ponder
over the saying which I used as a facile remarks many times, “Reading without
understanding is similar to eating without digestion”. She thinks, digests and
registers what she reads. Awesome!
She speaks Hindi and English like a flowing river in different rhythm origin, young
and death stage. Hats off to her
patience and consideration, she was kind enough to translate a whole story in
to Hindi that I was trying to tell to the students. Anyhow Akshitha enticed all
eyes.
Pranshu Sharma from Manipal
The
Jocker of Gramya Mantha. Pranshu Sharma from Manipal is a man with
mixed feelings. He was a man with random effects. A
comedian focuses Philosophy, development, language and myriad
topics. I called him the Friend,
Philosopher, Guide, Lexicographer, Entertainer and The Comedian. He thinks and
expresses his idea.
Aditya Minocha
Aditya
Minocha, a Teach for India fellow from Delhi. He is running a school provides
quality education for poor students. The objective, vision and mission of
Adithya remain elusive for me. He intervened in the discussions many times.
Abhinav Saxena from HCL
Very
professional in look and talk. He was one of the active members of GM. His
opinions were straight to the point and crisp; hence I called him The CEO, Mr.
Professional.
Karan Bajaj, IIT BHU
Karete, Kumbhu ! A
man with lots of energy and enthusiasm, was equally friendly to all at the beginning and
friendlier to 'one' at the end. He encouraged me a lot with his soothing words.
We tried the lungi experience and discussed about certain social enterprise
business models. The break your heads initiative of Karan made him an active
social network campaigner, we hope to meet soon.
Arif Hussian
A
graduate from IILM School of Design, Gurgaon. Silent but very creative. Despite
he kept himself away from all discussions, he was the person behind the curtain
in his team with certain crafts and creations. He marveled everyone with his photography,
graphics and designing skills. The most spectacular moment was the creation of a
miniature autobiography that he wrote, published and released in 30 minutes.
Nikitha from Baroda
Voice
of Gramya Manthan! Her energy, vigor and passion, that’s awe inspiring,. She
reiterates, pronounces and convinces others with a rhetoric persuasion. She is
doing his LLB and plans for doing masters in Public Policy from US. This left
handed lady plays volleyball and makes friends. A strong, lovable and unique girl
in our Team.
Dhara, Mumbai
I
hardly spoke to her. She was like a dimming fluorescent, showed interest in development thoughts. She frequently shared her experience with the team.
Medha Bankhwal, West Bengal
We
lose our energy when we see her, that much feeble and tired. But we are wrong
in our prediction. She has a never ending passion for development and long for a change. She admits facts and thrills students.
She was the leading figure in our team with genuine concerns and
opinions. She draws and writes well. A unique kind of stuff I had ever met.
Neelakanda, Hyderabad
Working
in Thomas Reuters, wants to be active but struggles to get through. A good writer
Nivedita, Bihar
Friendly and humble. She always works with a gentle smile and
comes with specific opinions, but confused. Working as a Business Analyst in
TCS, but she wants to work in social development ventures.
Prakash Nikam, Mumbai
His
dreams are marvelous, and I want to see his deeds go in line with his words.
Running a software company aims for IT as medium for revolution in education.
We have shared myriad thoughts on education, vision and development.
Manu Paius
The
youngest participant of GM, a Plus Two students and my companion from Kerala.
He is an English Teacher with Make A Difference (MAD). He reads a lot and
interested in Psychology and Law. He was an active presence in GM
Samarth Bansal
He
is from IIT Kanpur. Smarth is an expert in Mathematics and programming. I
always hats off to his humility and mankind, and apropos to his concrete believes, "If I ever wanted to be someone at the age of 19, its
what I am today", Go ahead, Go ahead and Go ahead. I still remember the
apology you made at the time of reflection. I have deep respect in his passion at 19's.
Rahul Aggarwal
He
was the eldest member in the team, but around 45. A Chartered Accountant (CA)
turned to a Change Agent (CA). A man at young in heart, with lots of enthusiasm
and sportsman sprit. Albeit he was the senior, there were no traces of junior
senior feelings. Hats off to Rahul,
an emulating model for young Indians.
Ridhi Agarwal
Wife
of Rahul, a young modest and gentle lady with lots of experience. Rahaul and
Ridhi plan to step in to their own innovations, to provide a different kind of
education experience for students in rural areas. She is a Teach for India
fellow , kind enough to listen, humble and simple. her strategies can make sustainable
impact. I have a deep respect in her passion and attitude. She was in the lead
position of our team.
Kirti
Bharadwaj
Ah
Lalla Monu…. A good actor with all the liveliness
A
different species! She leads a simple and easy life. As a politics graduate
from Delhi University, she has some craze in people lives and now plan to pursue
LLB. She was very friendly to all with omnipresence. She speaks well, acts well
and plays well. We also had some nice time. Her presence gives us joy and
peace. An amazing lady I had ever met!
Purva Gupta
Silent
and Sleepy has clarity in her ideas, works with Global March against Child
Labor. We have shared some development thoughts. Her interest in policy making
and loyal attitude make her a different among others.
Saswath, Lady Shriram College,
Delhi
Very
nice and genuine person. I am thankful to his considerations and honesty. He
was there to prepare himself for a new job and he believes GM enhances his
value and morals. I wish all the best in
his new job.
Raman Chinni, Vijayavada
Environment
Graduate from U.K. has deep foundation in his area. Always go with selected
friends and tries keeping him away from mass.
Deepanshu
My
friend from Meerut. He was not very alive but active in times of need. We had a
series of personal discussions. His approach and ideas do justice to him; he
never goes with the populace or popular. He makes his own conclusion from
everything,
Sunny
The
master sunny of the GM. He is an active campaigner and leader everywhere. Rich
with knowledge, grandiloquent and supportive.
Even though he was my roommate, we didn’t get enough time to talk. He
chants well and his moral sides are very strong. He is humble and always ready
to accept. He always crazes people with his mockery.
Ravi Kiran
A
man with very clear aim. Very genuine and has passion for inclusive
development. Even though he joined late, he was very active with his
outstanding opinions. .
Ranjeev, Bihar
Very hardworking. He was very open
Anushree
Charming
young lady. Very friendly to all.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
?????????????????????????????
I thank all my loving friends and
their inspiring comments on me.
The
most genuine guy in the team, with a heart as pure as diamond. Honor meting you
– Arif, West Bengal
Your
energy and enthusiasm is really great.keep doing good work and spread
happiness. Amaresh Delhi
Kerala……………..
Nice person with lot of clarity in thoughts. Prakash, Maharashtra
Not
a creative on as you are, so just few words here. It was great to meet you. You do great in
life.. Saty the way you are. All the best. VIBHOR,
Goa
It
was good to know you, your ideas and action plans. Amazing work. Keep it up and
in touch. Love. Abhilasha Delhi. Care
Paul
you are awesome person with random effects. You are the Kochin Express. Keep
serving people. Neel, Aandhra Pradhesh
You
are a silent warrior with a warm smile – Shashank,
New Delhi
We
are alike in many aspects especially in Hindi speaking. Lot moments we had with
our Hindi with villages. I wish your dreams come true. Ravi Kiran, Hyderabad
You
are one of the most genuine personalities I have come across in GM. SATYAT ITI.
Shaswath, Shri Ram College of Commerce
I
appreciate your courage, spirit and enthusiasm. Highly inspired. Nikitha, Baroda
Its
adorable how you observe small things and thank and appreciate the same. Hugely
appreciate your off heat opinions. Medha,
Darjeling
Your
incredibly nice person. Rare gift of God. Keep your spirits. Love and ATB. Niveditha TCS
You
are my love. Amazing person. Aditya
Minocha Delhi
My
friend, I have a deep respect for your honesty. Let’s make a fresh start in our
life. Sunny Delhi
We
may not have always been in the same page. But you taught me a lot nonetheless.
Akshitha
Great
to meet You. All the best. Purva, Global
March Against Child Labor
A
person with calm in nature and always helpful. All the best. Ranjeeth, Bihar
Dear
Paul, Love your humility, openness and acceptance. You are a source of
humility, humanity and humbleness. Love. Kishan
TCS, Gurgaon
You
are like the background score of a musical which needs to be technically sound
to make it a hit. Abhinav, HCL
Paul
go with your dream and do justice to yourself. Deepanshu, Meerut
Lungi
Boy, Buddy you are an incredible person – someone who’s extremely humble,
understanding, wise and mature. I am going to continue the lungi trend learnt
from you in Delhi ! And we will meet you soon. Cheers brother, Karan IIT Bhuvaneswar
I
find your smile really warm. keep do the little things you love. I hope you
always remember the simple pleasure of village. Have nice days. Anushree, Kanpur
We
need to talk a lot. I love your ideas. Let your long term plans make these
villages prosperous. Ridhi, Pune
Your
dreams are big and if you achieve it that means BIG !! Manu Kerala
A
very matured persons with respect to experience and thinking. Your commitment
towards making a world a better place is amazing. All the best for your future
endeavors. Youth Alliance.
Paul
V Mathew
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Reference
A
1. Anupama Hazare (2011), Establishing Good Governance
in Panchayath Administration: Shaping a Vibrant Future for Rural India,
Kurukshetra, August Edition
2.
Ambrish Kumar
(2012), Towards a Healthier India, Yojana, August Edition
3.
Arpita Sharma
(2011), Women Empowerment Mile stones and Challenges, Kuruksjtra, September
Edition
4.
Ministry of
Finance Department of Revenue Central Board of Direct Taxes New Delhi (2012),
Black Money, White Paper
5. Ajay
Kumar Bharti, Sanjay Kumar Dwivedi (2005), E-Governance in India – Problems and
Acceptability, Journal of Theoretical
And Applied Information Technology
6. Julius
Court, Assessing and Analysing Governance in India:
Evidence from a New Survey
7. Gupta M.C, Director, IIPA, New
Delhi, Governance in India: Vision 2020
8.
Pranab K.
Bardhan, University of California at Berkeley (2003), Political-Economy and Governance Issues in
the Indian Economic Reform Process
9.
IUCN, Regulatory and Governance Gaps in
the International Regime for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine
Biodiversity in Areas beyond National Jurisdiction
10. Montek S Ahluwalia (1997) Governance Issues in India's Economic Reforms (at Workshop on Governance Issues in South
Asia; Yale University)
11. UNDP
(2011), Human Development Report 2011
12. India Human Development Report (2011)
13.
Rumi Aijaz (2006), Challenges for Urban Local
Governments in India
B
1. Anand
Patwardhan (2012), Global warming and
India
2. Anupama Hazara (2011), Exploring the ‘Starving’
India, March, Kurukshetra
3.
Christine
Haigh & Bernadette Vallely for Women’s Environmental Network Women’s
Environmental Network (2010), Gender and the Climate Change
Agenda
4.
Dhurjati Mukherjee (2012), Agriculture and Climate
Change, Kurukshetra, June Edition
5.
Harendra Raj Guatham and Sharma H.L (2012),
Environmental Degradation, Climate Change and Effects on Agriculture,
Kurukshetra, June Edition
6.
Shivakumar L. Birdal (2012), ‘Environmental
Challenges and Issues of India Agriculture’, Kurukshetra, June Edition
7.
Swaminathan M.S. (2012), Do Ecology, The Yojana, May
Edition
8.
Singh T.P. (2012), Wheat Production in India, June
Edition, Kurukshertra
9.
Narendra G Agarwal (2010), Managing Human Resource
in Liberalized Economy, June, Yojana
10. Utpal Chattopadhya (2010), New
Initiatives in Skill Development, June, Yojana
11. Veerabhadran Ramanathan (2005) , Global
Warming
12. Singh
S.P (2011), Food Security in India: Key Issues, March, Kurukshetra
13. MoEF India (2011), Adaptation to Climate Change with
a Focus on Rural Areas and India
14. UNICEF
(2010), A Guide to Supporting the Local Actions of Children and Young People,
With Special Emphasis on Girls and Young Women
15. Katherine
M. Shea MD, MPH And Sophie J. Balk MD, (2005), Climate Change And Children’s
Health
16. UNICEF, Innocenti Research Centre, Climate Change
and Children a Human Security Challenge
17.
WHO Training
Package for the Health Sector, World Health Organization, Children's Health and
the Environment, www.who.int/ceh
18. State
Of The Gulf Of Maine Report, Climate Change and its Effects On Humans
19. William
Nordhaus (2007), The Challenge of
Global Warming: Economic Models and Environmental Policy
20. IFAD, Climate change: building the resilience of
poor rural communities, Enabling poor rural people to overcome poverty,
21. Noam
Mohr (2005), An EarthSave International Report,
A New Global Warming Strategy, How Environmentalists are Overlooking
Vegetarianism as the Most Effective Tool Against Climate Change in Our
Lifetimes
22. WHO,
Gender, Climate change and health draft discussion paper
23. Scott A. Mandia, Global Warming:, Professor of Physical Sciences
24. Hayanon, Y.
Noda, Y. Kamid, and A. Mizuno, What
is Global Warming?!
25. Global
Warming and Our Health (2008): Addressing the most serious health impacts of
climate change
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
