Village Stay Report

A Report on the Village stay at BHOGENAGARKOPPA,  Kalghatti Tq

 

I reached the village around 4.00a.m.In the evening, I walked around the village with the youth. I discussed with various persons. I also observed that groups of youth were playing a gambling game in the school premises. After having conversations with various persons, I felt that youth have optimistic attitude when compared to aged persons.

On the second day, I planned to conduct a group discussion involving with various sections of the village.

Based on our observation & discussion, I felt that improving economic priority is their first priority. This is evident, when I observed many youths working in the nearby factories to get better income. Another reason for migrating cities to work is that they have very small land holdings. Due to division of assets between brothers in a family, each family has an average of 3-4acres only.

Though my area of concern was on appropriate technologies, I felt that villager’s priority should be given importance. I planned to do a brainstorming session with the group to identify the income generating activities, they are interested. I was not able to succeed because only women’s came in large number with 3-4youths & a middle aged man. I introduced and all the group members also introduced. Initially villagers did not open up. As the discussion proceeded, they participated. But the brainstorming session was not possible because villagers began to talk about problems. I continued with the general discussion to understand the villager’s view of issues.

After the discussion, I visited PHC, which is 1km away from the village. In the night, I visited a self-help group meeting and observed their activities.

•       Make decisions quickly:  I was amazed to see how people taking decisions quickly. When the resource person BAIF asked a family to provide accommodation for the two girls’ fellows & me the decision was taken very quickly.

•       Relationship with neighbors:  The relationship between the neighbors was so close that we were unable to identify them with the houses they belong.

•       Respect for outsiders: The respect given to outsiders was such that they did not allowed us to sit without bed sheets. The respect came from their heart and it was not to please us.

•       Culture of sharing: Villagers have a very good culture of sharing. They share happy and sad moments with each other. Even children’s also shares with each other.

•       Belief in God and Ancestors :  The villagers have a great belief on God and Ancestors. We can find photos  of God & Ancestors  in front of the houses.

 

Role of social entrepreneur-Prakash Bhatt, BAIF

Mr.Prakash explained the role of a social entrepreneur with a small beautiful story. A king had 17 elephants and decided to give ½ to first son, 2/3 to second son and 1/9 to third son. A social entrepreneur came and added a elephant and made it 18. He gave the elephant accordingly and took back the remaining elephant.  Mr.Prakash said social entrepreneurs should plug those things which are missing and train people to manage for future missing links if occurs. But most of us implements our agenda and wants people to depend on ourselves.

Gururaj Deshpande on Enterpreneurship

Interaction with Mr.Desh & Family

Mr.Gururaj Deshpande

 

 

Mr. Gururaj observed that skill set is required to minimize the risk we take. Most NGO’s suffer because they are individual driven & not process driven. Due the course of time their weakest link will be exposed. He suggested living with the idea and running with the idea. In Social Entrepreneurship, E-is the ability to make things happen & S- is where we should intervene. NGO’s should set appropriate milestone and know where they want to reach and should continuously motivated. Maintaining balance between work & family is like juggling a lot of different balls. Crystal balls represent work related aspects and glass balls represent family, friends & relatives. Glass balls once broken cannot be got. So we should be carefully prioritize.

 

 

 

Social Enterpreneurship

Mrs. Jayshree Deshpande, Trustee, Deshpande Foundation

       Mrs. Jayshree gave insights on various aspects related to the development sector. Rapid globalization & Advancement in technology have created the world into have and have not’s. The same forces can be used to create equal opportunities in the world. Collaborative efforts of free market economy & NGO sector are needed. NGO sector in India lacks competition and there are no demands by the clients. We should develop the ability to look at issues without biased. Analytical and good execution skills are needed. Idealistic approach to life is the greatest strength and we should not give up our ideas. We should walk into situations and Innovations can have both societal and economic impact.