By Suryabhan Hanmantrao Jadhay:
After completing my master’s in Public Administration, I joined the Gandhi Fellowship in Rajasthan, where I worked on certain community projects with the local Sarpanch and youth. An important part of my work was to identify gaps in policy making and its execution at the ground level.
In a large and diverse country like India, government policies and schemes fizzle out before reaching the grassroots because of the absence of determined individuals aligned with the government machinery. I wanted to work on rural development. I wanted to channelise the untapped potential of youth and converging government schemes. I was desperately looking for an opportunity to work in electoral politics as a career, but I lacked clarity and planning. But my search came to an end when I found out about the Vision India Fellowship (VIF).
A Unique Fellowship – Mentorship and Monetary Support
The Vision India Fellowship offered me a unique way of mentorship where fellows are full-time associates with the mentors. Other need-based mentors are also available to fellows in public policy boot camps, during monthly fellowship trainings, and at online Zoom meetings as well.
Having a person, or sometimes multiple people, who can fulfill the role of a mentor is essential. Mentorship in the life of a public leader is associated with a successful career, greater job satisfaction, and better performance. It is important for fellows to connect with experienced mentors irrespective of their long-term professional goals. Along with this mutually-beneficial relationship, the Vision India Fellowship offered comfortable financial assistance that was well-suited to qualified candidates.
Training starts at the public policy boot camp, a 21-day residential program, where fellows are expected to start planning their careers, focusing on specific skills and experiences needed to make a mark in their chosen path. I would quote the example of Napoleon Bonaparte, who said that “Ability is nothing without opportunity”; this has proved true for me.
The Vision India Fellowship is a unique platform in India where youngsters like me are getting opportunities to pursue inspirational career paths. The Fellowship has helped me broaden my understanding of society and offered me room to test my leadership skills.
Working With Elected Representatives For Tribal People In Gujarat
I believe that active engagement in sub-specialty societies and professional organisations in local communities provides an important opportunity for career-growth and exploration.
My first project was at Chota Udaypur district, Gujarat, where I was responsible for the Constituency development of the local tribal areas. Working with Montu Bhai (the Sarpanch of Pavi Jetpur) proved to be a lifetime experience. I, along with my colleague, strategically initiated various projects and helped the Sarpanch build his constituency.
From a cleanliness campaign to the establishment of self-help groups and motivating poor women to start revenue generation models in small scale in tribal colonies, I was able to learn a lot. I also made efforts to converge government plans with those of private partners to build an ideal Constituency.
We created the model Anganbadi–Nandghar with traditional Pithora paintings, and built an enjoyment park for people of the local community.
Financial management was a one of the most challenging jobs we had to do, but, with good marketing and branding, we gathered support from people staying abroad, and managed the funds to hoist the National Flag (120 ft) for the first time in any tribal village in India. My overall journey in Chota Udaypur was quite interesting and, hopefully, helped connect many people and institutions.
I also worked with the ‘Star Sarpanch team of Gujarat’ under the leadership of Shri Himanshu Bhai Patel (Sarpanch Punsari Gujarat). Here I was able to interact with many young village heads, including a 26-year-old who was doing exemplary work in his Gram Panchayat. India needs more leaders like him. Towards the end of my stay, the Gram Panchayat felicitated me with a GRAM BHUSHAN award, thus consolidating the project at Chota Udaypur.
The idea is to make the most of these opportunities; fellows should pursue self-directed learning. The use of an Individual Development Plan provides the structured framework for defining 6- to 12-month goals, such as enhancing research skills, learning about career options, and building a professional network specific to potential career choices.
There are monthly training sessions on self-reflection and collaboration with other fellows to develop and facilitate interest in the work that is being done.
The second year of the Fellowship prioritises the skills that are most important to success, to recognise opportunities wherein the fellows present themselves, and pursue the highest yielding activities. I have started intervening accordingly and before completing the last year, I plan to be able to sustain myself.
Electioneering At Majura Vidhan Sabha – Surat, Gujarat 2017
It was unique experiencing the election campaign in different states where everything is different, right from the language to the food to accommodation to everyday activities. I was campaigning for Shri Harsh Bhai Sanghvi (a second-time MLA) at the Majura Constituency in Surat.
Being Maharashtrian, it was advantageous for me because most of the people came from Maharashtra and I could comfortably communicate with them. I could understand the Vidhan Sabha campaigning in urban areas inside out, managing many stakeholders at a time, working in a corporate-style office, strategising with the team and the candidate himself. It was overwhelming for me. Finally, the moment of truth arrived the results came out. I tasted sweet victory with my team mates.
Converging Efforts Between The Government And Private Partners
In the second year of my fellowship, I shifted back to my home constituency and started communicating with all sections of the society. I found that there was no proper place for young students to go and read books and materials in peace and quiet. Hence I, along with some other conscientious individuals, started a library at the Gram Panchayat Office.
Community-Driven Water Conservation In Gopuj Village, Maharashtra
Gopuj Gram Panchayat participated in the Water Cup competition in 2018 and secured three positions out of 56 villages from my block. The Vision India Foundation has given me an opportunity to visit Israel for the WGE 2018 which would help me work in agriculture in future.
Lectures On Political Institutions Motivating Youth Towards Social Welfare Work
I often get invitations from different institutions, like Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, Fergusson College, Anulom, Paani Foundation, to name a few, asking me to deliver lectures regarding rural development and youth in politics. With each speech that I deliver, my confidence is boosted because I love public speaking and connecting with youngsters.
On the whole, I have been actively engaged with political leaders and local communities. Through it, I have been exposed to an important opportunity for career growth and exploration.
After a discussion with Shri Raju Shetty (Member of Parliament and President of Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghtna) and research, I have decided to work with a local political party engaging on farmers’ issues. I have travelled across Maharashtra with the State president of the party, Shri Ravikant Tupkar, to understand farmers’ ground realities, mainly in drought-prone areas.
I, along with the active Gopuj team, have registered an organisation named “Gram Vision Foundation” under the guidance of Vision India Foundation’s mentors and colleagues. I aspire to work in my district through this organisation by creating community leaders and building my constituency as a role model for others.
This Fellowship has allowed me to work within and across disciplines, improving the lives of the villagers and youngsters I work with.
From A Small Village To Israel – My Journey To Exposure
The Vision India Fellowship helped broaden my understanding of society and provided me with a platform to work for a greater cause. I have managed to execute and lead various community driven projects in my village which are a testament to my leadership skills.
The VIF has given me a chance to visit Israel which will be a great exposure for me, if I wish to work in the farming sector in the future. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural development (NABARD) has adopted Gopuj Gram Panchayat with a ₹1.5 Cr project for a 100% watershed project and overall capacity-building of community members.
Travelling across Maharashtra with the Sanghtna’s State President has broadened my horizons and deepened my knowledge regarding farmer’s issues. Starting up a new NGO–Gram Vision Foundation—is bound to connect me with important names working towards rural development.
For a person like me coming from a lower middle-class farmer family in a drought-prone area, achieving what I have would be impossible without platforms like the VIF.
Working for our janmabhumi and welfare of marginalised people fills me with an indescribable satisfaction; I strongly advocate developing more platforms like the VIF to make Bharat Jagad Guru again.
Suryabhan Hanmantrao Jadhav is a Vision India Fellow working in electoral politics.