Before I start narrating my experience, let me clarify that ‘SRIDA’
(Society for Resource Integration and Development Action) is an NGO, registered
in 1993 under Society Registration Act, and working in Madhya Pradesh, India to
which I was one of the founding trustees. ‘SAI’ (Sustainable Agro Inc.)
is a Private Limited Company incorporated at Mumbai in 2013 under Company Act,
1956, in which I am instrumental in developing the concept and getting it
incorporated. ‘SRI’ in Sanskrit means Goddess of wealth, whereas ‘SAI’
a common word in Japanese, Hindi, and Persian. In Hindi, its mean a ‘Saint’; in
Japanese it is ‘ability or talent’ and in Persian it is ‘Peer or Fakir’, similar to
Saint.
In my note below I would be mentioning the name of few persons who know
about SRI and my involvement with it. This is dark chapter of my life which I
had closed two decades ago, never shared with anybody. Only, those 4-5 people
mentioned in the note below knows about it. I am hiding the name of people with
whom I established that NGO, as they are still working and I do not wish to
jeopardize their work.
Those, who read my article ‘Lessons from Life: Knowing your
True-self’ might be aware that after leaving my Ph.D. halfway at Banaras
Hindu University (BHU) I came to Pune. I had joined a Post Graduate (P.G.)
Diploma course in Development Planning & Management at Centre for
Development Studies and Activities (CDSA) under Pune University during
1991-93. There I met two people who were
one year senior to me. We three were influenced by Prof. Christopher and
Prof. Aneeta Benninger, founders of CDSA. They were source of inspiration
for our dream of establishing an NGO.
During my time in Pune, I also came in
contact with Dr. Vilasrao Salunke of Pani Panchayat and spent good time
in learning his work. He was my ‘Guru’ in rural development who greatly
influenced me by his simplicity and dedication to work. I was a frequent
visitor to his home at 113, St. Patrick Town, Hadapsar, Pune. Prof M.A.
Ghare of AFARM and Dr. Dinker Rao of National Institute of Bank
Management (NIBM) were other great personalities from whom I learned and
took Baptism in social work. Dr. Dinker Rao later wrote famous book (Taking Banking to the People - NIBM's Role, K Dinker Rao, 2002).
In 1992 we three decided to establish an NGO. We shared our idea to Prof
Ghare, Dr. Salunke and Dr. Rao. Dr. Rao and Dr. Salunke agreed to become
trustee of the NGO. Prof Ghare had good contacts with donor agencies and he
suggested that if we work in Madhya Pradesh we will have greater opportunity to
get funding. Prof. Ghrare introduced us to Mr. Anil Shidore, Regional Manager
Oxfam (UK) at Nagpur that time, who informed that Oxfam is looking for a good
NGO to work in Mandla district. The seven people (I and my two college friends,
Dr. Salunke, Dr. Rao, Retd. Lt. Col Bali (father of one of my friends) and one
local person from Bhopal, also relative of one of my friends) became 7 trustees
to form that NGO.
This was the period when I was still doing my P.G. Diploma course at
CDSA, finding time somehow to pursue this dream. It was agreed that we three
would be President, Secretary and Treasurers, as well as form Board of
Directors, where one of us would take Executive Director Position in turn, and
other two would be Directors.
As soon as we learned about Oxfam’s priority area we packed our bags and
took the train to Jabalpur (neighboring Mandla). From Jabalpur we took famous
Chakda Gaadi (frog shaped auto) to neighboring block in Mandla
district-Bijadandi. There we went to Block office, got preliminary data and
then ventured into the neighboring tribal villages. As such we got required
information to meet and discuss with Mr. Anil Shidore (Oxfam) about our idea.
As Anil was looking for such NGO and we had backing of Prof. Ghare, Dr. Salunke
and Dr. Rao he immediately agreed to finance us to do a study and prepare a
project proposal on integrated rural development in selected villages of Mandla
district.
Since our NGO was still in the process of getting registered he hired
us as Consultants to Oxfam (UK) on a monthly fee of Rs.5000/- each. We decided
to rent a residence-cum-office at Barela (around 30 kms from Jabalpur towards
Bijadandi, Mandla). We also agreed that we will take only our subsistence
allowance, and put rest of money for building the NGO. As I remember, at that
time Rs.3000-4000 was sufficient for all three of us to pay the rent of house
and meet our food and related expense. We started saving more than Rs.10,000/-
per month to invest in building our NGO.
It was around January, 1993 and I had entered into my last Semester of
P.G. Diploma course which was devoted for field work and dissertation/ thesis
work. My supervisor (Prof. Aneeta Benninger) suggested me to do research on
‘Land Propensity’ and prepare land use plan in that area (Mandla district). As
I was busy in my study my other two friends volunteered to pursue NGO
registration works. The NGO finally got registered somewhere during
February-March, 1993. When the registration paper came I realized that though I
was retained only as founder trustee my name was removed from Secretary
Position and another trustee was given that position. When I asked they
informed that the Registrar for Society Registration told them that one person
cannot hold two positions. They could not explain that how they retained
Directors position as well as President and Treasurer Positions if that was the
case. They also opened joined bank account to which both were Signatory. We had
a big fight but I continued with them as we were working for greater cause.
The person who took over as Executive Director suggested that we all
three will prepare separate project proposals/plans, and whosoever
proposal/plan is best, will be selected for submission to Oxfam (UK). Though I
did not agree and suggested to divide our work and prepare one report, but was
vetoed by other two. The project area was difficult and far away from Barela. I
had to take a Bus to nearest road-head and from there walk down another 10-15
kilometers (one way) to those four tribal villages. I had to also keep time
check as last bus used to return around 8 pm. I had befriended the Driver and
Conductor, and they started stopping the bus nearer to my entry point to
forests/villages though there was no bus stop there, from where I used to walk.
The other two avoided going to the villages for one or other reasons (NGO
registration, meeting with officials, etc.). One of the persons was Graduate in
Geography, and he said that he will first prepare a big Map of the area which
he will put in the office-cum-residence. It turned out to be his only
contribution in preparing the proposal/plan. As it was my thesis work also, so
I started doing all donkey’s work-meeting the villagers, mobilizing them,
conducting PRAs, collecting and taking soil samples to Jabalpur Agricultural
University, measuring water recharging capacity in the wells, preparing the
report, etc..
Finally, after all the hard work I was able to prepare my report as well
as integrated development plan for those four villages for submission to Oxfam.
The other two made excuses and told that since I have completed the report,
they don’t feel the need to prepare it separately. Anyway, we submitted the
draft report to Anil at Oxfam who appreciated it highly and agreed to fund the
project (worth Rs.80,00,000 at that time in 1993). He also informed us that he
and other officials will be visiting the project area soon. It was great news
for us.
Then, the worst truth came out. I was traveling with the Bank Manager where
we had account. He asked me when our next money will come. I
told him that there is already sufficient money in the bank account, and our
head-office (Oxfam) will transfer the money later. The Manager informed
that other two persons had visited the bank recently and withdrew all the money
(Rs.70,000) after leaving the minimum necessary amount. It was a big shock to
me. Instead of going to the field I turned back to office-cum-residence and
questioned them. They told that one of them had emergency at home, therefore
they withdrew and sent the money to his home. I called Dr. Rao and Dr. Salunke
from the field, and to my surprise they even did not know that we/SRIDA had got
work from Oxfam. I was told by other two that they had been informing &
consulting regularly with other trustees.
I hadn’t suspected them and focused
on my consultancy and thesis work. After learning all these, I had a big
argument with them, as how they could use NGO money for personal use without
informing me and other trustees. I went back to Pune to discuss this issue with Dr. Salunke and Dr. Rao.
They suggested me that since it is beginning of my career, I should not get
associated with such NGOs and leave it immediately. They also called other two
to Pune to discuss this issue. One of them immediately came down to pacify
them, but they said that they cannot be involved with such kind of NGOs. As it
was also beginning of career for other two persons they asked them to mend
their ways, and suggested me to complete my work with them.
We three (I, Dr. Salunke and Dr. Dinker Rao) resigned from trusteeship
and gave one month notice to remaining four trustees to replace us, as seven
people were needed. I remained there to complete my work and organize the visit
the Oxfam people. Parents of one person (a girl) also came down to stay and
resolve the issue. Her father was also one of the trustees (Retd. Lt. Col.) and
I was like their son. They persuaded me to stay back, but I could not convince
myself to stay further.
My last day with the NGO was most memorable one. I had agreed to stay till
the visit of Oxfam people. As there was no hotel or other place to stay at
Barela we had arranged the forest guest house near to Bijadandi block office
(around 20 kms from our office at Barela). The other two people left for the
guest house to welcome Oxfam people, whereas I stayed back at the
office-cum-residence with her parents. Anil and one of his colleagues, instead
of going to forest guest house, came directly to office. I explained the whole
project and the work completed to make the report/proposal. He got highly
influenced and immediately announced that he has increased the budget to
Rs.10 million (Rs.1 crore).
He later visited the field and met other two on the way. Her parents
were surprised and told me that they were apprehensive that I would tell
negative about the NGO and other two people. For me it was my duty, and what I
did that last day was for those rural communities with whom I spent six months,
sharing their sorrow and joy, understanding the hardships they undergo. I also
thought that after getting scolding from people like Dr. Vilasrao Salunke (a
Padhmshree and fatherly figure in development work) and Dr. Dinker Rao they
will mend their way. But for me that journey was over.
I took the first bus to Jabalpur and then train to Pune immediately
after leaving of Oxfam people, and never turned back. Her parents told them
that they don’t know what they are going to lose.
Though I got a bad experience, but it was a very good learning in my
life. It had reiterated my
faith of working with local community. It had also given me a vision. After
completing my course at CDSA I returned back to Bihar/Jharkhand, started living
in remote village, staying and working with rural people. During one such day I
got news of my Irish fellowship, and then continued my learning process.
As Padraig (my teacher at UCD, Dublin) mentioned recently, when I
arrived at UCD in Ireland to pursue my course in Rural Development my vision
was clear and I was very much focused on what I wanted to learn and how I
would use my learning. After completing my course there I came back to India
and started working in rural development sector.
I have been a keen observer and retrospect very frequently on impending
issues in this sector. Most of you would agree that the development context
has changed greatly in Asia region over last decade. There are two
associated issues we face. Many of our predecessors who worked in rural
development field produced outstanding results and their projects had great successes.
But these successes were short-lived, and as soon as the projects were
over those outstanding project results crumbled, and at many places the
communities were not better-off if not worse.
The second issue is related to the team who made great sacrifices
to make the project success. Whether it’s in Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia,
Bangladesh, India, Iran or other places the story is same. We, the
experts and senior staff migrate to other projects/jobs though many of us may
have temporary set-backs but what happens to local staff? They can’t
move, they remain unemployed, some of them try to use the project learning and
enhanced capacities, but then they don’t get desired support. I have learned
real stories of Sahyoginis (women field workers) in Maharashtra when one of
them could not attend the last rites of her son, as he died when she was
away on a mountainous village with no access. She learned after three days when
she returned back. What happens to those sacrifices? Her project will end this
year (in 2014), and she most probably will be unemployed, like many of other
local staff/animators all over the world.
Do we have answers to these issues or can we develop a mechanism to
safeguard these? For the
later two issues I was working for last 10-12 years. There were some
experiences of field animators or para veterinarian in other projects, who were
selected from villages themselves, trained and employed by the projects to
sustain the project activities. I started working further on this concept to make
it self-financed and self-sustainable. It was first conceived in CARE in
Jharkhand India, practiced at SDC-IC in Odisha, replicated by RCDC, MAVIM and
then later with IFC-JKPM. I had developed a field manual also in 2010 which was
translated a published by MAVIM in vernacular language.
In last few years, shortage of funding to support rural development work
became a reality. Many of donors withdrew from Asia region in recent years.
Darwin’s principle of ‘Survival of the Fittest’ followed, and many small
NGOs died prematurely though they did excellent work. As I was continuously
following and updated myself on this trend I learned well before in early 2000
that current situation will come.
Besides international funding, there are two other major sources for
funding rural development work: Government & Private Sector, Foundation or
Corporate. It was this reason that
replication of CARE-WISH (Women’s Initiative for Self-help) project to whom I
was in-charge, was with support from two private sector companies: Aditya Birla
Group from India, and Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation from USA. It was this
reason that after my work with CARE, I moved to Odisha and took charge of
bilateral programme of India and Switzerland government. My supervisor at SDC
Ms. Lucy Maarse has clearly mentioned in my 2005 performance appraisal that my
main reason of working with SDC-IC was getting experience of working with
government.
I moved to the Philippines in 2007 to get international exposure and
experience through International Institute of Rural Reconstruction
(IIRR), but with a clear self-commitment that I will be back to India in two
years time.
After returning back to India I got two biggest opportunities of
my life. UNDP-Iran and Government of Islamic Republic of Iran invited me
to design a project for ‘Global Environment Facility’ (GEF) in 2009, which I
did with my all sincerity and dedication. The MENARID project design was
readily accepted by GEF, and when the project implementation started in 2011 I
was invited to become its ‘International Chief Technical Adviser’. After
initial hurdles (please refer my note ‘Inspirational Experience’) the
project started doing extremely well, and MENARID-Iran is now emerging as
leader of government led integrated and community centred development work in
Western Asia and MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region (my note on MENARID-Visualization
& Realization).
In 2011 I got another big opportunity. International Finance
Corporation (IFC), World Bank Group selected me as Community Coordinator to
its Farm Forestry Project with Private Sector (four Pulp and Paper Industries)
in India. This gave me opportunity to work closely with private sector and
learn from them.
As such I was able to work with all three funding sources: International
funding agencies; government and Private Sector. During my work I had never
took off my eyes from finding solution to resolving first issue i.e.
developing an alternative model which can continue working with poor &
marginalized people while addressing declining international funding source.
Many of you know that last year in March (2013) I took almost one month
off. I used that time to reflect on all my learning and finding their relevance
in getting the solution. I applied teaching of one of my Guru ‘Napoleon
Hills’.
He told that ‘when you are
faced with a problem that needs a solution, regardless of how perplexing it may
be:
1. Ask for Divine Guidance. Ask for help in finding the right solution
2. Think
3. State the problem. Analyze and define it
4. State to yourself enthusiastically ‘that’s good’
5. Ask yourself some specific questions, such as
a. What’s good about it?
b. How can I turn this
adversity into a seed of equivalent or greater benefit?
6. Keep searching for answer to these questions until you find at least one
answer that can work.
7. Act immediately on that answer, don’t wait
It was during this period when I visited Vaishno Devi in Jammu &
Kashmir that all the pieces started coming together and the concept of ‘SAI Pvt
Ltd’ came to my mind. As per advice of my Guru I acted immediately and got the
‘SAI Pvt. Ltd’ incorporated in July, 2013. I also put INR 1 million and
committed my time to develop the concept further and turn this into reality. As
my major time were taken up by two long term consultancies: UNDP-Iran and
IFC/World Bank-India, I quit the later one in September, 2013.
My other Guru ‘Rhonda Byrnes’ taught me that “the Universe
has immense capacity to turn your dream into reality if I follow a
definite principle, i.e. Ask, Believe and Receive. She told that
when I ask I must be very specific that what I want, I must quantify and give a
definite time period. I must believe that the Universe has fulfilled my demand
and behave as I have already received that. She told me that Universe is a
mirror and if we follow the first two principles sincerely with full faith, we
will receive it in reality, most probably before the time we have mentioned.
As per her advice I developed the mission of SAI Pvt Ltd as “Ensure
food, nutrition and income security of 10,000 marginalized farmers and their
families by December, 2018 from 1 acre of cultivable waste/neglected land and
1000 sq feet (40 feet x 25 feet) of homestead land by promoting self financed
& self sustainable model. I estimated that SAI will have to generate
Rs.1000 million to meet above demand through its self-financed model.
I further went forward and stated that “SAI will continue to work
& expand its generic model to hopefully reach 1 million people by 2028
without any discrimination on the basis of race, religion and geographical
boundaries”.
The model is culmination of my learning from
CARE, SDC-IC, IIRR and IFC. I took two learning from CARE i.e.
nutrition garden and crop diversification models; two learning from SDC-IC i.e.
Participatory Technology Development (PTD) & ‘Community Resource Persons
(CRP) models; two learning from IIRR i.e. community led development & local
to global; and two learning from IFC i.e. working with private sector &
agro-forestry/farm forestry model. I have been also associated with Tarun
Bharat Sangh in India, and take the learning on Gandhian principle of Gram
Swaraj or Village Self-rule/reliance.
SAI has heart of Saint and mind of Scientist.
It follows 4C. The first two ‘Cs’ Compassion and Character come from
Heart of Saint, whereas other two ‘Cs’ Creativity and Competence come
from Mind of Scientist.
I have been visiting, explaining and getting ideas
to strengthen this model. Recently, I visited Hyderabad to discuss and get
ideas from Mr. Vijay Mahajan, who is like my Guru in micro-finance; and to
ICRISAT to discuss with world renowned scientists including Dr. Shyam Nigam and
Dr. Pooran Singh Gaur. I am also visiting different social enterprises in India
to observe, discuss and learn from them.
I shared my model to my old time friend ‘Ajay
Desai’ in Mumbai who is President &
CFIO of premier Indian bank and Mr. R.K. Kapoor, ex Principal Chief Conservator
of Forests (PCCF), Himachal Pradesh, who implemented first Clean Development
Mechanism (CDM) project in India. They found it very simple and interesting.
Through all my knowledge and experience what I know is that any model or
formula has to be simple and follow universal law to be successful.
Whether its Susan Grove, working in USA with Poughkeepsie Farm Project, Amelia in China working on biodiversity, Matt Zimmerman working in
Cambodia on organic vegetable and herb farm, Gopal da working in Bangladesh;
Khun Somying in Thailand working on forest based livelihoods; Arega in
Ethiopia, Steve and Janja in Latin America; Mahdieh, Sara, Dr. Farahpour, Jazi
and others in my MENARID team; Sammy, Emily, Marise Shielah in the Philippines
and many others which I cannot name. We all are one working for the same cause:
to make the world a better place to live. SAI is a universal concept of self
financed, self-sustainable approach, working on same principle which may bind
us together in time to come.
I would end my note with the Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226
AD), “God! Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the
courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”.
