Theme

November 4, 2017

From the Field Diary of a Development-wallah: Arriving at a Cacophonic Harmony

Struggling to make inroads into a new community, the development practitioner swings between despair and hope, optimism and pessimism, enthusiasm and self-doubts, till perseverance pays off. Three years on, as many as 2000 women have been impacted by these efforts
November 3, 2017

Integrated Soil Fertility Management: Converting Subsistence Farming to Productive Farming

Maintaining or improving soil health is essential for sustainable and productive agriculture. ISFM strategies assist farmers in following a scientific process for cultivation without eroding the soil’s inherent capacity to produce more by maintaining its fertility level
November 2, 2017

The Dehuri: In Search of an Identity

Calling itself the ‘Dehuri’, the Hill Khadia tribe, the hero of this tale is in search of a space for itself in agrarian setting. Their confusions, struggles, perceptions of society and the desired role of intervention agencies constitute the body of the narration
November 1, 2017

Swimming against the Tide: Maramai Kisku

Tracing the life of Maramai Kisku, a landless Santhal, who progressed from being a ‘labourer’ to a confident and assertive Ward Member of her panchayat, this article touches upon the changes in her attitude and style of functioning once she becomes a successful farmer, and leaves us with the searing quote, “The oppressed, instead of striving for liberalization, tend to become oppressors.”
October 7, 2017

MGNREGA: Rights and Entitlements

Making work such as the construction of toilets under MGNREGA conditional upon meeting the Swachch Bharat Mission targets puts villagers in diffiuclties till the SHG women become aware of their rights and entitlements, which they then proceed to collectively ask for, winning the admiration of the officials
October 5, 2017

When the Ravaging Flood Waters Recede

Hearing about floods and actually experiencing the death and destruction it wreaks are totally different; the PRADAN team realizes this as it struggles to find solutions to counter the devastating effects that the receding waters leave behind for the villagers
September 9, 2017

The Best Two Years of My Life !

Cherishing memories of initiating the Tasar Project and remembering the people instrumental in the promotion of tasar as a livelihood among the poor tribals and other villagers of Godda takes us back almost three decades
September 5, 2017

Julekha Bibi’s Journey as a Leader for Change

Working with SHG women on various issues faced by the community transforms the shy and soft-spoken Julekha Bibi into a vocal and active spokesperson, displaying hither to untapped capabilities for tackling the day-to-day problems villagers face
September 5, 2017

Menstruation: Social Conditioning and Barriers

Taboos, superstitions, lack of awareness, lack of infrastructure, shame and embarrassment about menstruation are barriers to the confidence, self-esteem and dignity of girls and women, affecting their well-being and health as a consequence
September 4, 2017

Tasar Silkworm Rearing in Rajdah

Rearing tasar worms is a precarious and fragile practice that the Santhal tribals and other villagers engage in, both because this has been their traditional occupation and because a good harvest provides them a much-needed economic support