Early September, Sameer, Vikas and Akshatha from the Rainmatter team spent four days in Indore and surrounding rural areas where Rainmatter’s partner organizations are working actively in the climate space. The experience was both, inspiring and important for our work.
Some notes from the field trip in the words of Akshatha Narayana…
It was incredible to see how communities come together to solve their place issues with a strong sense of belonging and ownership; yet, there’s also a feeling of being lost in unfamiliar landscapes due to displacement. How young people can be the hope if they really understand their places better and be part of the solution-building. The intent of the trip was to understand Shivganga’s approach to place-based ownership and what comes after, to bring local organizations working with communities and young people to explore a coalition in Jhabua, Banswada and Bharwani, and to expand our understanding of the challenges, gaps and efforts of our partner organizations on ground.
Day 1 Overview
Day 1 began early at 7 AM, filled with curiosity about community ownership in Jhabua. Our first meeting with Maheshji introduced us to a collective of positive place owners actively engaged in various aspects of the village, including water management, soil conservation, agriculture, and health. We enjoyed locally grown Buttas while discussing their initiatives, which set the tone for a day of learning and connection.
Next, we visited a large lake that the community had successfully restored through their Halma traditions. Villagers from surrounding areas came together for 15 to 20 days to rejuvenate the lake, while others provided food and shelter. This collective effort resulted in improved groundwater recharge and better soil quality, positively impacting agricultural practices throughout the region.
After a delicious lunch with community members, we made several observations. The community lives harmoniously with nature, treating animals as family and showcasing rich biodiversity. We noted the importance of transferring traditional knowledge to address climate-related challenges and witnessed the market reaching the last mile, with a Tata ACE truck delivering essential goods to the village.
In the afternoon, we explored another village where Halma was used to solve local problems, such as constructing roads and conserving sacred groves. We learned about the tradition of inviting natural powers for guidance during tough times, which also fosters discussions within local panchayats to resolve legal issues. This approach emphasized the community’s commitment to collaboration and sustainable practices.
The day concluded at the Shivganga campus with a captivating skit performed by community members. The performance illustrated their struggles and collective efforts regarding Jan, Jungal, Jameen, Jal, and Janwar. We left feeling inspired by the sense of shared responsibility and the commitment to improving their community, further enriched by interactions with young leaders who led various focus groups.
Day 2 Overview
Day 2 began with an exploration of the profound impact of community collaboration in a hilly area near Jhabua. This region is carefully revived and conserved with an understanding of contours and water flow, showcases restored green patches and a resurgence of biodiversity. However, as we admired the landscape and enjoyed the morning sounds of nature, we were disheartened to see significant plastic waste, reminding us of the ongoing challenges of human existence.
Our next stop was the bamboo maker’s space and processing unit of Shivganga, where we witnessed the enthusiasm of school-aged children eager to learn and share their skills in bamboo crafting. We explored traditional methods of bamboo treatment and its various applications, prompting reflections on how education should empower individuals to pursue their interests rather than impose rigid paths.
After returning to the Shivganga campus for a breakfast with partners from Global Dev Incubator, TRIF, and Vaaghdhara, we focused on cross-learning and exploring potential collaborations. Nitinji from Shivganga emphasized the importance of creating awareness about one’s place in the community to foster a sense of belonging among young people. Initiatives like Gram Atlas and “Know Your Gram” were highlighted as efforts to bridge this gap.
Following lunch, representatives from various organizations gathered to discuss collaboration opportunities for Jhabua, Bhanswada, and Bharwani. The discussions centered around fostering ownership, understanding climate change in relation to social and economic security, and encouraging innovative, local solutions. As we concluded the day and set off for Bharwani, we reflected on the landscape we missed during our evening travel and felt a renewed sense of hope and urgency for the possibilities ahead.
Day 3 Overview
Day 3 started with a delicious breakfast as we headed to the last village in the Bharwani district. This community has faced displacement and a disconnection from their landscape due to the nearby Narmada river. With support from TRIF, the local collective is working to identify their challenges and potential solutions. During discussions, we recognized that losing connection to one’s place can also diminish confidence within the community.
After our discussions, we visited the village’s main market area to observe the entrepreneurial efforts of residents. Some villagers have started businesses, such as shops and shamiana services, while building their own houses. We were particularly struck by a beautifully constructed mud house next to a PMAY house, which was too hot to live in and being used for storage.
Next, we traveled to Bharwani city to visit the Youth Hub, a space dedicated to making knowledge, skills, and solutions accessible to young community members. This initiative, part of the Global Dev Incubator’s GOYN effort, aims to strengthen the local economy with a compendium of livelihoods tailored for the Bharwani district. Additionally, women leaders from Self-Help Groups (SHGs), who have successfully been elected to their panchayats, were receiving training to enhance their leadership skills and systemic thinking.
We then enjoyed a traditional lunch at the Youth Hub before continuing to Matla village, where we met a collective of women, known as local ministers, and the Sarpanch. They shared valuable insights about the community’s needs and priorities, emphasizing the importance of integrating these into the Gram Panchayat Development Plan. Their enthusiasm and commitment to their village highlighted how ownership and belonging can inspire collective improvement, bringing hope to our group as we set off on our journey to Khategaon, enjoying Poha as an evening snack along the way.
Day 4 Overview
Day 4 of our visit began with delicious aloo parathas and chai. Our first stop was a household in Khategaon that produces a natural fertilizer solution using five locally available plants. Initiated by women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and supported by Samaj Pragati Sahayog and HDFC Parivarthan, this initiative showcases the motivation of these women to turn their knowledge into a business, despite facing challenges in accessing market support.
Next, we visited the Sant Singhaji Educational Society, which focuses on nurturing young change-makers and entrepreneurs rather than adhering to a traditional curriculum. Here, students were introduced to community women and mentored on branding their natural fertilizer, improving packaging, and understanding market dynamics. It was impressive to see BCom students pitching the product and demonstrating their understanding of local industry opportunities, reinforcing the value of staying connected to their community instead of seeking prospects in cities.
As we began our journey back to Indore, we felt a mix of uncertainty about how to ignite imagination within the community, balanced by the uplifting interactions we had experienced with the young innovators. Once in Indore, we visited Raheja Solar, where we learned about solar drying as a method to reduce food waste, with promising implications for nutrition. We tasted various dried fruits and observed the ongoing testing processes, further highlighting innovative approaches to local challenges.
Our final stop was at Udhyam’s entrepreneur-in-residence, where we saw the creation of banana fiber food cups and Shakti Jhola bags made from upcycled railway cloth, enhanced with tie-dye techniques. These products exemplified creativity and sustainability. We also visited Tanmay’s tinkering space, which inspired thoughts about establishing a similar space at the Rainmatter Foundation for Friends of Rainmatter.
This visit rounded off our journey, prompting reflection on our experiences and the urgent need for action. As a result, we are now exploring the conceptual idea of a regional hub.