Digest - Grassroots Chronicles
December 2024
EVENTS
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Flags Off Development Alternatives’ Safe Mobility Initiative in Gorakhpur
DA, represented by CEO Shrashtant Patara and Associate Vice President Kanika Verma, had the privilege of showcasing our Safe Mobility Initiative at an event organised by the UPSRLM on December 21, 2024, at Yogi Baba Gambhirnath Prekshagrih, Gorakhpur. The event was graced by Hon'ble Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and MP Ravi Kishan, who flagged off 10 women-driven e-rickshaws—a significant milestone powered by Cluster-Level Federations under the National Rural Livelihood Mission.
#SafeMobility
Design Thinking Session at Konvensyen Inovasi Sosial (KIS) 2024, Malaysia
On December 16, 2024, at the Konvensyen Inovasi Sosial (KIS) 2024, held at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Development Alternatives' CEO Shrashtant Patara and Associate Vice President Kanika Verma led an engaging session titled "Design Thinking: Creating the Future of Innovation." The session explored the synergy between Design Thinking and Systems Thinking in facilitating inclusive entrepreneurship for sustainable social and economic development.
#KIS2024
Where Grassroots Meet Green: The Journey of TARAgram Yatra 2024
TARAgram Yatra 2024 showcased community-led innovations in Circular Economy, Rural Livelihoods, and Climate Resilience across Bundelkhand. The event highlighted sustainable practices, ecosystem restoration, and entrepreneurship, fostering collaboration between grassroots, policymakers, and corporates to scale impactful solutions nationwide.
#TGY
16th GRIHA Summit on Accelerating Climate Action in Built Environment
GRIHA Council hosted the 16th GRIHA Summit on Accelerating Climate Action in Built Environment. DA was represented by Mr. Mohak Gupta, Assistant Programme Director, Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy in the panel of “Traversing through Social Strata & Community-based Adaptation”
Hashtag:#GRIHA
Empowering Trainers for Vocational Excellence
Enhancing vocational instructors' skills for impactful training delivery.
#VocationalTrainingExcellence
TARAgram Climate Yatra: Building Resilience
Showcasing community-led watershed management and climate communication.
#TaraGramClimateYatra
Inland Container Depot Interventions
Road safety workshop for truck drivers, enhancing skills, well-being, and safety.
#truckdriver
Training Session and Meetup of Air Pollutants and GHG Emissions
On December 19, 2024, the Product Development Domain (PDD) of Development Alternatives organised a successful training session and meetup in Patna, under the theme Hyperlocal Mapping of Air Pollutants and GHG Emissions. The event, held at Chanakya, witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 18 citizen scientists working on the project, along with two technicians.
#Pollution
TARAgram Mela 2024: Showcasing Local Green Enterprises and Cultural Heritage
TARAgram Mela at TARAgram Yatra 2024 celebrated ‘Local Green Enterprises’ as pathways to sustainable change through inclusive, community-driven, and regenerative business models. Inaugurated by Shri Lokesh Jangid, Hon’ble Collector and District Magistrate of Niwari, the event showcased the rich heritage of Bundelkhand and other regions of India through exhibitions of handicrafts and agricultural products.
#TARAgramMela
TARAgram Yatra 2024 – Enabling Circular Economy: A Pathway to Resource Efficiency Yatra
The TARAgram Yatra 2024, held in Bundelkhand, brought together diverse organisations to explore resource efficiency and sustainable development in rural areas. Participants engaged in discussions and field visits, including to Madore Village, where DA’s initiatives in eco-building and water accessibility showcased the transformative impact of resource-efficient practices. The Yatra emphasised the need for holistic community engagement to drive sustainable change in rural landscapes.
#TGY
#Conversation on Water : A programme inspire Young Water Champions
“Conversation on Water” program by the Society for Development Alternatives, empowers students with knowledge, skills, and citizen science tools to address water-related challenges. Through interactive sessions, demonstrations, and pledges, the program fosters young Water Champions ready to tackle water scarcity, pollution, and sustainability, shaping future leaders for environmental action.
#Water
TARAgram Livelihood Yatra 2024: An Immersive Journey into Rural Livelihood Creation in Bundelkhand
TARAgram Livelihood Yatra 2024, organised by Development Alternatives, offered an immersive experience into empowering rural livelihoods through social innovation in Bundelkhand. With tools like Kaun Banega Business Leader, participatory Comic Workshops, and the District Entrepreneurship Coalition, the Yatra showcased co-creation and collaboration in building sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems. Highlighting micro-movements of change, it emphasised knowledge sharing and inclusive growth, inspiring participants to drive meaningful community impact.
#TGY2024
Journeying Across the Himalayas by Royal Enfield Social Mission
Eicher Group Foundation hosted an inspiring 10 day Festival; Journeying Across the Himalayas. DA was represented by Chief Advisor Ms Zeenat Niazi on the panel of ‘Building in the Himalayas: Harmony in Design’.
#journeyacrosshimalays
STORY OF CHANGE
Prabha Rajput: Striving towards self-reliance and self-sufficiency
Prabha Rajput, a 36-year-old entrepreneur from Maharajpura in Niwari, has undergone a remarkable transformation in her livelihood.
PUBLICATIONS
GeoAI for Brick Kilns in Bihar: Learnings & Recommendations
Bihar tackles air pollution with GeoAI! A collaborative effort led by UNDP & DA uses satellite data to pinpoint non-compliant brick kilns, driving informed regulation and cleaner air for the Indo-Gangetic Plains.
PERSPECTIVES (Blog)
Women-Led Micro Movements: Shaping the Future of Work
In this blog, Shrashtant Patara addresses job scarcity and rural imbalances despite economic growth. He highlights DA's 'SAMUDYAM' initiative, which promotes inclusive entrepreneurship and empowers job seekers. Patara emphasises the vital role of women in community development and notes that DA's sessions create dignified job opportunities, leading to a high survival rate for supported businesses and the establishment of over 1,600 new enterprises each month, boosting local economies.
VIDEO
EP 4 | Why DA Made Sustainable Livelihoods it's Mission: The Big Why
Chairman, Development Alternatives Dr Ashok Khosla in a Tete-a-tete with CEO Shrashtant Patara in our Series: 40 Years of Sustainable Solutions- The DA Story. In this video, Dr. Khosla discusses why he homed in on "Sustainable Livelihoods" as the mission for DA. He emphasised the scale of the problem and the importance of applying better management practices and partnerships.