“Change takes time. But, it also takes people.”
– Sharad Sagar
I deeply resonate with the profound words of Sharad Sagar, a globally renowned social entrepreneur, noted thought leader, and widely followed youth icon. His one of the famous quote, “Change Takes Time. But It Also Takes People,” encapsulates the essence of my recent journey. I realized that change is not just a product of time; it results from the collective effort of dedicated individuals, organizations and communities working together toward a common goal. This journey has been a testament to the power of community-driven change. It has reaffirmed my belief in the transformative impact that can be achieved when people come together, united by a shared vision and a commitment to creating a better future. As I traveled to two different corners of India, from the vibrant coastal towns of Tamil Nadu to the serene valleys of Ladakh, I witnessed firsthand the resilience, ingenuity and spirit of the people who are driving change in their communities.
AIF Fellowship and Professional Development Program
In April, as part of the AIF Fellowship, I secured a professional development grant opportunity for a site-cum-study visit to two organizations. I traveled to two opposite corners of India. One was Sittilingi village in the Sittilingi Valley of Dharmapuri district in Tamil Nadu, where I visited the Tribal Health Initiative (THI). The other was in Phyang village, about 16 km away from Leh city in Ladakh, where I visited the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Ladakh (HIAL).
Embracing Cultural Diversity
Despite language barriers and differences in food, faith, customs and culture, I was able to explore both remote and barely accessible locations with utmost enjoyment and satisfaction. From the 36 degrees Celsius humid heat of Tamil Nadu to the -6 degrees cold and snowy weather in Ladakh, it felt like both places accepted me as I am. This reminds me of the rich culture and civilization we have as a nation.
Picture Credit: Author
Experiencing True Hospitality
In these remote places with little or no internet connectivity, I found myself fully immersed in the local way of life. Walking alone, staying with the community, meeting people of all age groups, sitting by the seaside, and climbing snowy mountains, everywhere I went, everyone welcomed me with open hearts and lots of love. This is why India is known for “Atithi Devo Bhava,” which means the guest is equivalent to God.
The Essence of Community Connection
At both places, during my interactions with community members, most of them asked how much I liked the place and its scenery. My simple reply was, “Of course, I like the mountains and places, but these are secondary. The primary thing I like the most is the people—children, youngsters, women, and the elderly—who did everything possible to make me feel at home and like family.”
Picture Credit: Author
Integrating Indigenous Methods with Modern Mechanisms
At both organizations, I found a commonality. They were integrating indigenous methods with modern mechanisms. At the core of their work, I saw a deep-rooted approach to engaging and involving the community on a large scale. They don’t just follow a template; their methods are derived from the people they serve. They are working with under-resourced tribal and Dalit communities who are marginalized in society.
Engaging Communities for Effective Development
In the development sector, we often consider ourselves experts and, with our preconceived notions, identify problems that might not be issues for the community. Conversely, if there are problems at the community level, we think we are more educated and propose solutions without consulting the community. Then we realize our proposed solutions don’t work for that particular community. However, here I saw a different approach. The organizations engaged community members as much as possible to understand what they considered problems and what solutions they wanted. This helps bring real-time systemic and positive change.
Tribal Hospital: A Model of People-Friendly Healthcare
Through this PDG at Tribal Health Initiative (THI), an organization founded by Dr. Regi and Dr. Lalitha, I had the opportunity to explore the environment and people-friendly tribal hospitals they established in the Sittilingi Valley. During my interaction with the founders, I was impressed by their statement, “Doctors should not work for diseases; they should work for health.” It was great to learn that after working for 10 years, they brought down the infant mortality rate from 147 to 42 in the community. I have experienced people who don’t only see this just as a hospital but as a community to learn and hope for themselves. Being there I never felt like I was in a hospital. It felt like I was in some peaceful natural place because of its ambiance and the values they have built.
Picture Credit: Staff of THI
Reviving Traditional Practices for Sustainable Development
I also explored other initiatives of THI, like SOFA (Sittilingi Organic Farmer Associations), which started in 2004 with 4 farmers and now has 750. This initiative not only addresses socio-economic issues but also revives traditional organic farming practices, saving soil, water, and the environment. Farmers set the prices for their crops, most of which are nutrient-rich millets.
Additionally, I visited Thulir School (Thulir is a Tamil word that means sprout or first leaves of a plant), started by Anuradha and Krishna, friends of Sittilingi. This school emphasizes tribal and cultural values and hands-on learning about agriculture and the environment, providing a safe space for children to learn beyond the classroom.
I got the opportunity to visit their craft project center as well. They are working for the revival of the art and craft of the Lambadi tribe. The Lambadi, initially a nomadic tribe from north-western India, migrated southward about 300 to 500 years ago to avoid persecution. They eventually settled in some parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The name of the craft center is Porgai (Porgai in the Lambadi dialect means pride). As a result, now there are than 70 women artisans who have learned and are engaged in from the nearby village and earning good money while earlier, they were engaged in farm labor work where they faced uncertainties about their income.
Picture Credit: Author
Himalayan Institute of Alternative Ladakh: Innovating for the Future
At the Himalayan Institute of Alternative Ladakh (HIAL) in Phyang village, I explored their major initiatives like Ice Stupa, responsible tourism, energy and plantation. I was impressed by their building construction methods, using local bricks that are climate and weather-friendly. They helped the Indian Army build such buildings, reducing pollution and reusing waste material. Their campus runs entirely on solar energy, and they have a polycarbonate greenhouse for growing 100% organic items. I attended some of their meetings, brainstormed and gave inputs to the responsible & Eco tourism team. I met with Founding director, Sonam Wangchuk and Founder and CEO Gitanjali JB and other teams. I addressed the team in the morning introspection session and explore the idea of the institute of providing contextual education, Experiential learning through HIAL, and long-term goals.
Picture Credit: Stanzin & Tsering, staff of HIAL
SECMOL: Blending Tradition with Modern Education
I also visited The Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) in Phey village. Founded in 1988, SECMOL is not a conventional school but a safe space to pursue practical, environmental, social, and traditional knowledge, values, and skills. Students learn ancient traditions alongside modern academics and mainly manage, run and maintain the campus. I stayed one day at this beautiful campus and conducted a session on youth leadership, education and social work for nation-building.
Picture Credit: SECMOL Stundets
Reflections on the Power of Community-Driven Change
Both visits provided insights into the commendable work these organizations are doing by integrating traditional and modern knowledge and technology. They offered ample opportunities to interact with communities, learn about their culture, practices, and traditions, and witness their holistic development approaches that consider flora, fauna, and available resources. This is essential for preparing for the needs of future generations.
I am thankful to my mentor for guiding me in selecting such esteemed organizations for this visit, the AIF and Fellowship teams for providing grants, and the people from both organizations for their support and resources. The community members and families’ unwavering love and hospitality made this journey full of learning, fun, and wonder. This journey reaffirmed my belief in the power of community-driven change, where time and collective effort converge to create a lasting impact.
Thanks to the PDG, I connected with my co-Fellows, Aashritha Murli from Chennai and Hameem Muhammad from Auroville. Beyond work, I met their families and gained insight into their personal and cultural backgrounds. This experience underscores a key component of our Fellowship—the opportunity to learn from each other and build meaningful relationships across diverse backgrounds.
Picture Credit: Author
