Seva Mandir is a
situated
in the
socioeconomically
disadvantaged
state of
Rajasthan,
India.
Recognized
as one
of the
world's
most
innovative
and effective
organizations,
it is
dedicated
to tackling
resource
management
challenges,
improving
livelihoods, and
enhancing
village-levelgovernance.
Pioneering
with a participatory approach and social
lens,
Seva
Mandir
empowers
local
communities
to address
complex
issues
and uplift
themselves,
fostering
sustainable
development
and
transforming
lives in
rural
Rajasthan.
As part of the State Bank of India’s Youth for India fellowship program, we spent 1.5 years
addressing
issues
around
and
,
with a focus
on
tribal
women
farmers.
The project focused on:
1.
Promoting
by repairing
and
maintaining
water
harvesting
structures,
creating
public
awareness
around
usage,
and
documenting
indigenous
knowledge
2.
Boosting the
by introducing water-efficient agriculture,
scaling up
interventions
through
value-addition,
and
creating
more
profitable
market
linkages
We partnered with the Indian government’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CSIR - CIMAP) to make the agricultural portion of this project possible.
A holistic rural development project, oriented in place-based natural resource management
30-40% increase in annual income of participating farmers
The famous Adivasi slogan of Komaram Bheem, jal, jungle, jameen (water, forest, land), provides the framework of this holistic rural development project. What started as a water management project eventually grew to cover livelihood and community development. Our project touched:
In addition to primary project work, we also did extensive cultural documentation, grassroots awareness on sexual assault and legal recourse, and research on caste and gender disparities.
During my tenure at Seva Mandir, I spearheaded a successful fundraising strategy by writing grants to major global funders, securing a remarkable 15 crore INR (approximately 2.5 million USD) in contributions.
Additionally, I conducted extensive grassroots research to identify areas of greatest need and formulated a comprehensive 5-year plan for allocating funds across three major regional blocks in Rajasthan, ensuring the most effective utilization of resources to uplift rural communities and foster sustainable development.
Through diligent grant writing and strategic engagement with donors, we achieved significant financial support, enabling the organization to continue its impactful work in addressing critical social and developmental challenges in rural Rajasthan, India.
During my tenure at Seva Mandir, I spearheaded a successful fundraising strategy by writing grants to major global funders, securing a remarkable 15 crore INR (approximately 2.5 million USD) in contributions.
Additionally, I conducted extensive grassroots research to identify areas of greatest need and formulated a comprehensive 5-year plan for allocating funds across three major regional blocks in Rajasthan, ensuring the most effective utilization of resources to uplift rural communities and foster sustainable development.
Through diligent grant writing and strategic engagement with donors, we achieved significant financial support, enabling the organization to continue its impactful work in addressing critical social and developmental challenges in rural Rajasthan, India.
In my mini-project, I conducted a detailed analysis of water budgeting and management practices at the village level in Parwat Kheri, Rajasthan. This comprehensive study delved into the community's water resources, consumption patterns, and conservation efforts, aiming to identify potential challenges and propose sustainable solutions to enhance water availability and usage efficiency in the region. The project shed light on the significance of localized water management strategies to address water scarcity and support the well-being of the residents in Parwat Kheri.
Our academic paper, co-authored with Laxmi Thakur and Varsha Rathore, explores the critical importance of providing rural women in Southern Rajasthan with leadership spaces, alongside capacity-building training. By presenting our research at the conference "FUTURE OF WOMEN ’20: The Next Generation of Women: Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities, and Equal Participation," we shed light on the significance of empowering women to become fully realized leaders within their communities. The paper advocates for a holistic approach to gender equality, emphasizing the need for both skills development and opportunities for women to take on leadership roles, fostering a more inclusive and progressive society.
