Read the opinion pieces from those at the sharp end of development world – from practitioners in the field to district officers and even ideators creating schemes for the future. Field Journal is the place for civil society groups to share their experiences and insights – their highs and lows – in their journey to put India on the path to progress.
Ground Report
Teaching beyond the textbooks in Rajasthan
An education support programme offers students in government schools a holistic approach, helping them imbibe lessons through practical and hands-on learning, and boosting their confidence through peer learning.
Of windmills and women
Wind farms are generally a beneficial source of renewable energy. But what happens when they cut through ancient tribal land, stoking fears of lost livelihoods and identities? India Fellow Aneesh Mohan finds out.
Weed wars – invasive plants battle it out
Aggressive and highly invasive plant species are destroying India’s forest lands and biodiversity. Sridhar Ananth and Sanjiv Phansalkar write about the scale of this issue and deliberate possible solutions.
The elephant and the honey bee: Are there lessons for Meghalaya and Tripura?
An ecosystem consisting of honey bees, elephants and rubber plantation is enabling additional income for tribal homes. Here K Sivamuthuprakash and Sanjiv Phansalkar describe the fascinating project which facilitates this ecosystem.
Whose idea of development is it anyway?
For two development professionals a field visit to a displaced village triggered a series of broader questions about development. They share their dilemmas about how development is perceived and practiced.
From the bladder of a cow
Natural farming based on the clever use of cow waste is transforming lives in Andhra Pradesh as Sanjiv Phansalkar of the VikasAnvesh Foundation discovered close up.
Rural theatre acts out vaccine hesitancy
Setting the stage to bust myths around vaccine hesitancy, tribal dance and theatre productions manage to convert the unvaccinated in Rajasthan, proving the power of tailor-made messaging.
Is digital planning working for India’s villages?
India’s villages are the last stop in the government’s drive to digitize administrative planning and ensure a more transparent allocation of resources. But how effective is this digital push? Development worker Jitendra Pandit tackles this in his Field Report.
The power of exposure trips
Four years ago, program officer Ankita Goyal accompanied a group of tribal women on their first trip out of their village. Little did she know this “exposure visit” would turn out to be a life-changing experience for her.