From the ground up

Keeping one's nose in a Marathi-English dictionary can only go so far.  Fortunately, the Marathi program at AIIS (American Institute of Indian Studies) has a strong community participation component.  Guests would come in for conversation; those who were more or less monolingual provided the perfect opportunity to butcher grammar and genders with no judgment, and more importantly, without the typical patronizing or out-of-pity switch to English that is far too common here.  (Or the equally common switch to Hindi, which is quickly followed by a simultaneous bemused and dumbfounded reaction of "why doesn't this desi-looking dude know a lick of anything I say?!)

"Out of station site visits" - in other words, class field trips strangely reminscent of 4th grade - got us out of Pune and deeper into the bowels of Maharashtra.  My instructors' thoughtfulness resulted in two excursions that dovetail remarkably well with the general theme of my work here:


Ralegaon Siddhi

Anna Hazare (अण्णा हजारे): village leader, infrastructure developer, social reformer, political activist, anti-corruption vigilante, owner of (nearly) nothing, inspiration to many.  He catapulted himself to national awareness when he completely revitalized the derelict village of Ralegan Siddhi.  Formerly paralyzed by severe droughts and wallowing in pandemic alcoholism, this defunct village performed a swift about face as Anna instituted strict, almost socialist decrees aimed at lifting the people out of their spiraling poverty and bringing prosperity back to the region.

Nashabandi, or complete moratorium on drinking.
One of many "bandis" instituted in Ralegaon Siddhi.

His water management methods effected remarkable increases in productivity: milk production increased from 300L/day to more than 4000, and per capita income increased tenfold.  The government of India is now replicating these reforms in more than 85 villages in Maharashtra under the Model Village program.  For more information on Anna Hazare's work, visit www.annahazare.org.

A well that helps recharge the water table during the dry season.

Smart water management is one of the most important factors in improving village quality of life.  A concurrent step is rural energy management - as agricultural production increases, the need for dependable and affordable energy resources skyrockets.  Instead of simply exporting raw materials to outside manufacturers, villages can potentially establish a full range of value-add services, from cotton ginning to refined milk products, thereby capturing much higher profits.

We were able to practice Marathi in the context of unprecedented rural reform.  It was inspiring to meet such a progressive advocate for rural people!

Honored to be granted an audience with the man himself!

Agri-Tourism, Baramati

We took a mini vacation of sorts at the Agricultural Development Trust in Malegaon, right outside of Baramati.  The general intent of this industry is clear: round up city dwellers, show them some quaint farming and nature, and charge a pretty penny.

Roughing it in "tents" that had better appointed bathrooms than most 3 star hotels.

Thankfully the establishment at Malegaon was more than just a tourist trap.  An in-house agricultural research center focuses on implementing state-of-the-art horticultural practices and prudent resource management. They run a variety of livestock rearing farms and support local cottage industries, such as vertical silk production (silkworms to finished clothes).  They also run education, outreach, and empowerment programs for area farmers.

Hearing an explanation of the operation
of a local jaggery (raw sugar) factory.

Sugarcane biomass (bagasse) is used as fuel for the jaggery furnaces.

Weaving using hand-powered looms.

My favorite - a swing that powers a garden irrigation sprinkler!

Again, here is solid proof that sound resource management practices are highly successful on a rural, decentralized basis.  Distributed renewable energy has an even greater potential in improving rural communities without the bureaucracy and inefficiency that comes with large-scale centralized systems.  And there's no harm in a little tourism generating some money on the side.  The clean, quiet air was a welcome change from frenetic Pune.  We even took the requisite बैल गाडी (bullock cart) ride!

These in-situ "hot seat" practice experiences proved immensely useful for effective communication in later, work-related interactions.  More on that soon.