IIT Delhi Students To Develop Tech Solutions To Address Local Issues Faced In Rural Uttarakhand (Image: IIT Delhi)
Facilitated by the Academic Outreach Office at IIT Delhi, a cohort of 13 students embarked on a transformative journey as part of the Grassroots Innovative Programme (GRIP) 2023-34. The initiative took students to the villages of Tapovan and Urgam in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district.
Students got hands-on exploration of the complex realities of rural life, in collaboration with SEWA International, an eminent NGO in Uttarakhand. It aims to bridge the gap between the theoretical aspects of education and real-life situation of villages. The programme encompasses dynamics to socio-economic situations, healthcare facilities, educational assessments, and active involvement with Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
According to Prof. Subodh Sharma, Associate Dean, Academic Outreach, IIT Delhi, “The GRIP initiative is designed to go beyond mere observation, as it encompasses a social immersion phase. During this phase, student groups spend significant time in communities, including smaller towns and villages. The goal is to deeply understand local needs and challenges, paving the way for the identification of grassroots societal problems. The next step involves devising innovative solutions to address these challenges,”.
The tour provided insights from Tapovan and Urgan village regarding multiple pressing issues to waste management, traditional arts, climate change and seasonal farming etc. which requires targeted intervention.
The identified solutions for the concerned problem require creation of a web app/database for health and market information, designing a basket for carrying dry grass, developing a compactor, researching materials for housing and road construction, improving local handicraft workers condition, SHGs training, introduction of Paalki in higher-altitude villages in Urgam Valley, development of lightweight building materials and promotion of waste management practices.
“The program represents the need to understand the local issues and required grassroot initiatives to bring a positive change in rural India through effective technological solutions. This transition will mark GRIP’s commitment to make a tangible impact on the identified issues,” the official statement mentioned.
