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Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Social impact projects and the intent behind it
Passionate about fitness, health, nutrition, community work. Currently looking after Strategy, Data Insights and Partnerships at Lakshyaa and REACHA. Studied Economics at Trinity College, Hartford, CT, USA. Recruited to play Squash at Trinity. At Trinity, member of the Squash team that won 2 National Championship Titles in USA. Represented India in Squash in U17 and U19 junior categories. LESS ... MORE In today's time, the way India is progressing and developing at a fast pace, it is becoming equally important that various stakeholders who are main drivers of this development journey of the country, also come forward, and strengthen/contribute towards upliftment of rural and remote parts of the country as well. The development journey, if skewed, would create equality gaps in a large, populated country like India. Many have come up with social impact programs for the same reason to strengthen the rural parts of the country. Often, important stakeholders present in these communities share their honest feedback during interactions about such interventions. Many a times, there is a feeling that programs are imposed on them, where the party that is bringing the initiative for them is often not sitting with them and understanding their needs. It is very important to make field visits in those tough conditions, away from comfortable cities, to really understand the ground dynamics, and also gather true aspirations of people. A social impact intervention exercise should not be solely in line with who is bringing it and what their goals and targets are. It has to be heavily mapped with the requirements of the people on ground. If it is not, then sustainability around it would be difficult, and the resources invested in it would not have as high an impact and return. The same would also not truly benefit people for whom the intervention is created. Another important point is to have empathy and patience. Bringing in a change should not always mean statistics and just meeting targets. All these metrics are a good way to ensure that the intervention is broadly on track, but there always has to be a qualitative way of measuring the impact, too. Change in people's thinking, increased confidence, greater ability to take risks, etc., are some areas that are much more important than mere numbers, as these changes will stay with the community members forever. These positive qualitative factors can actually play an important role in stories of community members beyond intervention, while numbers and targets are reporting factors to showcase the work being done during intervention. Understanding the root cause of community issues should be the core to make any attempt to strengthen the community. Another important thing one should reflect on is that we should think twice, maybe many more times before praising or conveying that we are making a big social change in rural, remote communities for the interventions we bring in. Self-acknowledgment and getting validation/attention again in a city and comfortable setting is relatively easy, but if we genuinely think from the standpoint of the person who is in that tough rural setting, and us getting attention on their names while they are still there is something to think about. Acknowledgment, as far as done in a balanced way, should be good, but continuously patting back without understanding and assessing what the interventions truly have meant for whom it was initially created is quite meaningless and shallow! Social Impact should include constant and frequent follow ups with the community members to keep understanding their progress and needs, and how we can continue to keep strengthening them! Lastly, acknowledgement coming grounds up on a sustained basis would be the greatest validation. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Survival of the fittest
Passionate about fitness, health, nutrition, community work. Currently looking after Strategy, Data Insights and Partnerships at Lakshyaa and REACHA. Studied Economics at Trinity College, Hartford, CT, USA. Recruited to play Squash at Trinity. At Trinity, member of the Squash team that won 2 National Championship Titles in USA. Represented India in Squash in U17 and U19 junior categories. LESS ... MORE Survival of fittest theory is based upon the fact that organisms that are better able to adjust to the local environment are able to survive longer, and those that are not are eliminated. This theory can apply to all walks of life. Wherever we go, whatever we are doing survival of the fittest is in play. There are limited number of opportunities and resources out there, and the number of people fighting for the same is much more than what is available. This creates competition. People often time can come up with dirty tactics to put others down. In the rut of life, one can often lose sight of the macro picture to get instant success. If we think in a macro manner, and visualize that firstly just the fact that how human life is possible, and how the Earth is in space, and space has no boundary. Despite all of that we as humans are existing on this planet. The moment we are able to think about this larger picture, all problems and issues that are here on Earth come into perspective. Sometimes there are small minor things which we get attached to, and are not able to let go. Getting the larger picture and stepping back is important, as when we are not able to let go of something we often can obsess with the same and do things that may harm others without realizing. Human mind is tricky, it has the beautiful powerful to focus and go deep on what we want to think. If we focus on negativity / cutting or pulling someone down then the entire energy that we have can just be consumed on that. There are people who use their energy positively to do larger good, but there are also fellow people who use the energy that they have in different manners. We all have senses, human body, it is pretty much up to us to decide how we would want to live. People who may not understand the consequences of having a tunnel and narrow vision, and by thinking that they can move forward/ahead by putting others down are not understanding that the larger forces will get them back in a bigger manner. The saying reap what you sow is powerful and is applicable. One's intention is also very important. Often times, people who are doing honest and good intent work are targeted by negative forces. It is important that one should never give up / surrender to negative forces, rather seek more confidence and motivation from the same to counter it. Again, one who is fit and who has the right intent will come out of tough times. Life is filled with mix bag of people. There are many who want instant success, but without putting in the work, by stealing credit, and by thinking that things are happening all because of them. Higher energy shows them the mirror the right away, as again there can be some moments when these negative forces may think that they are doing well / succeeding but they should never forget that at the end of day – it will always be the survival of fittest. Scheming and shortcuts can give us something on a temporary basis, but it is only the true good intent, honesty, work ethics and diligence that make things consistent and last. Deceiving people in order to survive or get the limelight again may give some temporary gains, but the way this world/life has been set up, everything comes out on its own, and only the truth, honesty, good intent, and good fitness prevails! Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
