First Immersion

An account of the initial immersion into the grassroots. Fellow’s encounters with diverse realities, unfamiliar terrain, and new relationships

A Matter Of Semantics

A Matter Of Semantics

A trip from Delhi to Tumkur in Karnataka, got the author in an interaction with a media activist who explains what it means to accept that the community knows better

Where Is The Village Of My CBSE Textbook?

Where Is The Village Of My CBSE Textbook?

Growing up in Delhi, my understanding of Indian villages was largely shaped by the CBSE textbooks. These books painted a picture of serene landscapes, close-knit communities, and a simpler way of life.

Down to the Last Rupee

Down to the Last Rupee

Discover the harsh realities of rural poverty in India, from coping with emergencies to navigating high-interest loans

An Unfamiliar Side Of Deccan And Its Wool Chain

An Unfamiliar Side Of Deccan And Its Wool Chain

Since the day I started working with the Centre for Pastoralism (CFP), I have been travelling more frequently to new places. At CFP, we have divided the locations of our work with the pastoral communities, based on the climate/geography. The Himalayas, Semi-arid or...

A Tale of Two Analogous Events: Sickle Cell Anemia

A Tale of Two Analogous Events: Sickle Cell Anemia

As a fellow, the excitement of a field visit is unparalleled, especially before one has experienced it. This is largely due to the underlying fact that the human mind is curious for the unknown. In my case, the first month of the fellowship was about constantly...

मेरी नज़र में दिल्ली

मेरी नज़र में दिल्ली

इण्डिया फैलो मिड पाॅइन्ट कार्यशाला के लिए मेरा १० दिन के लिए दिल्ली जाना हुआ। वैसे मैं पहले भी दिल्ली जा चुका हूँ पर इससे पहले कभी इतने दिनों तक वहां नहीं रूका और न ही इतना घूम सका। मैं सवाई माधोपुर, राजस्थान में एक छोटे से गाँव मखौली में रहता हूँ।...

जब किशोरियाँ सवाल पूछती हैं

जब किशोरियाँ सवाल पूछती हैं

हमेशा किसी भी कार्य की शुरुआत होती है एक सवाल से! किसी भी विचार में, बात में, विवाद में, चर्चा में या आंदोलन में। एक सवाल जो उठता है चिंगारी की तरह और थोड़ी हवा मिलने पर बड़ी और चमकीली लपटें पकड़ता है। जरूरत होती है बस उस चिंगारी को जगाए रखने की। भुज, कच्छ में ऐसा ही...

Conversations About Boundaries

Conversations About Boundaries

"I think women's tolerance to male entitlement has come down as compared to our mothers' generation", said Rohini* sitting on one side of the canal. We were five India Fellows who had come to this beautiful village called Noor* for our rural immersion. Two other...

Meenakshi Devi and Her Never Give Up Attitude

Meenakshi Devi and Her Never Give Up Attitude

A still from Meenakshi Devi's classroom My anticipation from the first field visit during our induction training was largely based on my stereotypes of villages. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie puts this across eloquently in her TedTalk 'The Dangers of a Single Story' She...

Redefining My Idea Of A Village

My father grew up in a village named Purana in Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha. My grandmother, whom I fondly call bou (mother, in Odia) still lives there. As a child, I visited and stayed there during summer and winter vacations. However, most of my ideas about the...

Last Mile Delivery of Products & Services

As a part of training program at India fellow, I got an opportunity to visit the rural parts of Udaipur. The visit was intended merely for observing people and surroundings. Madar - the history of this village is older than the foundation of Udaipur itself. It was a...