XISS has
this vision of “Putting the last First”
since its inception and therefore has always worked for the developmental model
where deprived and marginalized section of the society could live with dignity.
Although urbanization is the thrust of the country but the heart of country
undoubtedly resides in the villages. Keeping this in mind the development of
the rural section should be of paramount importance and hence we should try to
bring a ray of hope in their life.
The Department
of Rural Management has rural camp as an integral part of its course
curriculum. It provides the much needed rural exposure to students. Rural camp
is generally of fourty days but since its quite long duration therefore a
single camp is break down into four small camps of ten day each. The prime
objective of first camp is to come up with a socio-economic profile of the
village.
Rural camp was organised from 18th
Oct to 27th Oct for which we went to Chitarkota Village of Ratu
Block which is about 25 kms from XISS. Our mentor and Head of Department Prof.
Dr. M. H. Ansari accompanied us in this camp. Chitarkota village is divided
into two hamlets namely Chotki Toli and Badki Toli. Chitarkota government primary
school was decided as our venue for stay.
Our day use to began at 7:00 clock in the
morning when we all use to assemble in the ground outside the school campus. We
use to go for jog followed by some workout and physical exercises. Prayer was
performed once the workout session came to an end for thanking that divine power
for providing us a beautiful life. On the first day of the camp a meeting was
arranged in evening with the villagers to inform them about our purpose of
visit and to have the first interaction. Since it was the first meeting with
the villagers it had its own significance and importance. Prime motive this
meeting was to make a place in their heart so that they accept us as a part of
village community. The meeting went well and we have that feeling of being
accepted.
The first half of the day generally was
reserved for manual work (Shram Daan)
to feel the hardship of the rural poor later on we also visited their farmlands
to understand their farming techniques. In the second half we generally use to visit
the village households for survey work and to gather information. We also had
the opportunity to see the proceeding of the Gram Sabha on the sixth day of the
camp. Mukhiya and other social groups of the village were more than happy to
interact with us. It was a learning experience; we came to know how the people
raise their issues and how these issues are being addressed by governing bodies
at the village level. In all these activities we were guided by our mentor and
supervisor. From the seventh day onwards we started preparing the muster sheet,
standard table for the formulation of socio-economic condition of the village.
While preparing the village profile we also visited Ratu Block to collect the
necessary information. Finally the last day of the camp arrived for which we
had organised cultural programme, camp fire night and a festive meal as a
gratitude to the fellow villagers who helped us in almost every aspect of work
we did in village and made our stay successful. In these ten days we came to
know more about the Anganwadi Centre, PHC (Primary Health Centre), various
village level committees and their working.
People of the village were cordial and down to
earth. The rural camp provided us a better inside of rural life and living and understanding
of rural urban nexus.
This social laboratory is an opportunity to
experience group living and to enhance your acumen as development professional.
By- Kumar Priya Ranjan
Department of Rural
Management (2016-18)
