TARAgram Yatra 2012showcased successful and replicable models of sustainable economic development in rural India

Focus of TARAgram Yatra 2012 was on empowering women

New Delhi, 06 December2012:Development Alternatives (DA), a pioneer in sustainable development and the first social enterprise in India with a proven track record of strengthening the economic and social structure of the rural communityorganized TARAgram Yatra -2012 in its campus Orchha, under Bundelkhand region in the state of Madhya Pradesh near Jhansi during 22 to 25 November. The four day event showcased the achievement of the grassroots action in community empowerment led by woman. The focus of the mega event was on “Sustainable Development in South Asia-Woman Driving Change”.

TARAgram Yatra is an annual occasion that broughttogether practitioners and policy makers from different part of the world,particularly from India and South Asia regionto share currentthinking on and define direction of action to alleviate poverty, regenerate the environment and tackle
social deprivation especially in the developing world. The intention of the event was to discuss issues relevant to sustainability and help in designing programmes led by civil society actor, governments and regional network. Led by Development Alternatives Group inpartnership with international thinking – learning organisations, the Yatra is designed to deliberate on germaneissues of development with the mission of inspiring sustainability in policy and practice.With a mix of dialogue andfield visits, theYatra provides a platform for exchanging cutting edge ideas on how to realize a sustainable future.The event provides leads for follow-up on policies and action at the global, national and local levels.

Dr. Ashok Khosla, Chairman of Development Alternatives said:

“Development Alternatives has for thirty years dedicated its efforts to redress these imbalances and injustices by introducing innovations in technology and resource management, creating new and more participative types of institutions and suggesting transformative policies that can enable women in our country to have decent, meaningful and fulfilling lives themselves, and thus also contribute their full share to national development.”

Bundelkhand, in Central India, is one of the most backward regions in the country in terms of economic and infrastructure development. This semi-arid region suffers from severe drought which has been aggravated by climate change, which has badly impacted the traditional occupations of the community. Agriculture productivity has gone down and the livestock affected by the lack of fodder and water. With hardly any industry, lack of proper infrastructure and low awareness on their rights and entitlement, the people of Bundelkhand are marginalized and are restoring the migrant labor as they have no livelihood option. This land is area that DA has committed itself to-its Karmbhoomi.

DA has transformed villages into Model Villages-Humara Gaon (Our Village). It symbolizes the unified steps of the community members towards creating a model village, where villagers take charge of their lives while simultaneously realizing their responsibilities to themselves as well as the environment.

DA’s entire programme of work is based on the premise that to build and sustain a healthy future for our nation, there is nothing more important than empowering women. The first prerequisite for this is access by girls and women to good food, clean water and secure shelter to ensure their health. The second condition is literacy, education and skills to ensure a job and income. The third requirement is participation in the decision processes of their family and community. In all these areas, DA has pioneered new models, many of which can be seen in the villages of Bundelkhand, one of the most economically, socially and ecologically fragile regions of India. The TARAgram Yatra is intended to serve as a platform to bring new ideas from outside to help enrich the work of DA and also to expose it to others who might find useful lessons in it.

About Development Alternatives (DA):

Founded by Dr. Ashok Khosla in 1983, and headquartered in New Delhi, Development Alternatives (DA) is a pioneer in sustainable development and the first social enterprise in India. It has built up a global presence in the area of economic development, social empowerment and environment management.Being the first social enterprise in India, DA realized the necessity of establishing several associated organizations working toward distinct goals that converge on the unified ambition of regenerating the environment and creating large-scale sustainable livelihoods.Development Alternatives Group was set up, comprising five organizations. The non-profit Societies, such as the flagship entity Development Alternatives and TARA (Technology and Action for Rural Advancement) are responsible for research, innovation, policy, incubation of green businesses and technical support services. The for-profit social enterprises, such as DESI Power, TARA Machines and TARA Enviro are responsible for implementing the work of the DA Group at scale in business mode, all under the overall brand name of TARA.

For further information:

Development Alternatives:
Ranjeeta Ghosh
Mobile - 9560961433
/ Media Contacts:
MelCole Public Relations
Sakshi Aggarwal - 9716971986

Ravi Raman - 9716831573