Pradan Glimpses from Research

Glimpses from Research
April 2020

From Chakai to Norwich: An exploratory journey

“The exchange visit not only helped me to critically analyse research work but also helped me build linkages with the global developmental world. Being a practitioner, I work at grassroots and articulate the contextual knowledge from there, but through the visit I got an opportunity to share the contextual knowledge with renowned universities of the world.”

-Shuvajit Chakraborty, Executive, PRADAN

To read more about Shuvajit’s journey Click here

Assembling my learning from the TIGR2ESS General Assembly

"The five days of the Assembly were full of memories and experiences of learning new skills and getting introduced to interesting topics and perspectives. Interactions, discussions and deliberations with a wonderful group of people is something where lies immense possibilities for future research and collaboration. I feel assemblies like this should be an essential part of multi-stakeholder projects and programmes to harness the full potential of the diversity and have enriched collaboration."

-Astha Bharadwaj, Research Associate, PRADAN

To read more about Astha’s experience and learning Click here

Rangoli art: A tiny but modern step towards modern science

"We observed the women filling up the lamp outline with colourful grains, pulses, vegetables and eggs. We experienced the nitty-gritty of the process; the earnest discussion and consensual decision making of what to add and where to add it. We watched, spellbound, as the beautiful design appeared on the floor before us."

-Shuvajit Chakraborty, Executive, PRADAN

To read Shuvajit’s blog Click here

Exploring applications of Q-GIS for Mapping Natural Resources.

"After creating a Digital Elevation Model for Chakai in the workshop, now my aim is to create contour maps for Chakai which will help view variables in agricultural practices across seasons and suggest interventions for agriculture, soil and water management. This will aid the research on seasonality of food systems under the ongoing TIGR2ESS project, in Chakai."

-Anju Bhaskaran, Research Associate, ISDM

To read more about Anju’s exploration,
click here

A Week in Bihar: Laying the Foundations for Field Research

"Our colleagues at PRADAN were incredibly helpful. With their vast and rich knowledge of the Bihar region, they were able to aptly introduce me and my research to communities, expose me to new cuisines, and new languages. I plan to return to India for an extended period later this year. I can't wait to come back. "

-Charlotte Milbank, PhD student, University of Cambridge

To read more about Charlotte’s experience,
click here

CHIRAG Project:
Residential Workshop on Photography and Videography

A 2-day residential workshop was organized in Deoghar under the CHIRAG project by two facilitators, Christine and Alex from University of East Anglia, UK. Participants from different locations of Chakai, Shikaripara and Godda attended the workshop which gave them a better understanding of videography, camera operations, handling techniques and composition skills. The workshop was an ultimate guide to learn about the basics of videography through GoPro and bridge camera. It was followed by practical experience in the forest area of Dighariya Pahadi where the workshop participants came up with really brilliant clicks and stories reflecting a particular socio-cultural context. In the pictures, we can see Alex training Nisha, our Lahanti fellow to use the digital camera and Pooja didi recording a video. Possibilities of conducting future workshops on video editing to enhance capacity of the villagers as digital entrepreneurs were explored.