After completing my masters in Public Administration, I joined the Gandhi Fellowship in Rajasthan. I worked on certain community projects with the local Sarpanch and youth, and I identified the gaps in policy making and its execution at the ground level. In a large and diverse country like India, the government policies and schemes fizzle out before reaching to the grassroots because of the absence of determined individuals aligned with the government machinery. I wanted to work for rural development by channelizing the untapped potential of youth and converging government schemes. I was desperately looking for an opportunity to work in electoral politics as a carrier, but I lacked clarity and planning. I found only one available platform, which was the Vision India Fellowship (VIF).
A Unique Fellowship: Mentorship And Monetary Support
Vision India fellowship offers a unique way of mentorship, where fellows are full-time associates with the mentors, and needs-based other mentors are also available in public policy boot camps, during monthly fellowship training and at Zoom meetings as well. Having a person, or sometimes multiple people, who can fulfil 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. Mentorship is a mutually beneficial professional relationship between an experienced mentor and a less experienced fellow. It is important for fellows to connect with such a mentor irrespective of their long-term professional goals. At the same time, comfortable financial assistance is needed to suit well-qualified candidates, which is taken care of in this program.
Training starts at the public policy boot camp, which is a 21-day residential program. During the training, fellows are expected to begin 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; he said, “Ability is nothing without opportunity”; this has proved true for me. The Vision India Fellowship is one of the unique platforms in India, where youngsters like me are getting opportunities to pursue inspirational carrier paths. The fellowship has helped me broaden my understanding of society and offered me the scope to test my leadership skills.
Get Involved: Working Experience With Elected Representative In A Tribal Region In Gujarat
I believe that active engagement in sub-speciality societies and professional organisations in the local community provides an important opportunity for career growth and exploration. My first project was at Chota Udaipur district of 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. My colleague and I strategically initiated various projects and helped the Sarpanch build his constituency. Starting 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 as well as private partners to build an ideal constituency. We created the model Anganbadi-Nandghar with traditional Pithora paintings and built an enjoyment park for the community members. Financial management was one of the most challenging jobs we had to do, but with the good marketing and branding we could gather support from people staying abroad, we managed funds to hoist the National Flag (120 ft) for the first time in any tribal village in India. My overall journey in Chota Udaipur was quite exciting 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. Finally, the Gram Panchayat felicitated me with a Gram Bhushan award, thus consolidating the project at Chota Udaipur.
Take Responsibility For Learning
I have written an article on my experience of working with this young, dynamic Sarpanch.
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 6–12-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 prioritizes the skills that are most important to success, recognize opportunities wherein the fellows present themselves, and pursue the highest-yield 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, accommodation to day-to-day activities. I was campaigning for Shri Harsh Bhai Sanghvi (second time MLA ) at the Majura constituency in Surat. Being a 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, strategizing with the team and the candidate himself was overwhelming for me. Finally, I could feel the moment of truth as the results came out and tasted sweet victory with my teammates.
Converging Ffforts Of Government And Private Partners For Various Projects
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 is no proper place for the students to read and hence I, along with some other conscientious individuals, started a library at the Gram Panchayat Office.
Community-Driven Water Conservation Project At Gopuj Village In Maharashtra
Gopuj Gram Panchayat participated in 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.
Delivering Lectures At Political Institutions And Motivating Youngsters To Work For Social Welfare
I often get invitations from different institutions like Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini, Fergusson College, Anulom, Paani Foundation to deliver lectures on 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.
From A Small Village To Israel
On the whole, I have been actively engaged with political leaders and societies in the local community, and have been exposed to an important opportunity for career growth and exploration. After discussing with Shri Raju Shetty (Member of Parliament and President of SSS) and research, I have decided to work with a local political party engaging on farmers’ issues: Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghtna. I have travelled across Maharashtra with the state president of the party, Shri Ravikant Tupkar, to understand ground realities and issues faced by farmers, 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. The VIF fellowship allowed me to work within and across disciplines, improving the lives of villagers and youngsters working with me.
Working In Maharashtra With Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghtna: Farmers’ Issues
The Vision India fellowship helped me to 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 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 crore project for a 100% Watershed project and overall capacity building of community members. Travelling across Maharashtra with the Shetkari Sanghtna 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.
Indeed, the Vision India Fellowship is one of the unique platforms in India, where youngsters like me are getting an opportunity to prove our abilities. For a person like me coming from a lower-middle-class farmer family from a drought-prone area, achieving what I have would be impossible without platforms like the VIF. Working for our janmabhumi and welfare of the marginalised people fills me with an indescribable satisfaction; I strongly advocate developing more platforms like the VIF to make Bharat Jagad Guru again.