TESTIMONIALS

The dialogue has completely changed the way I had earlier thought about the villages, and brought to question most things about how I have perceived notions such as Markets, Development, Large Corporations and Organizations. While I know the truth is somewhere in between, the dialogue has triggered a series of questions that I will continue to explore. I really appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this workshop.

Rohit Toshniwal, Co-founder and VP Engineering, Arkin Net, Pune

‘‘गांव के माध्यम से खुद को जानो’’- This perspective of the dialogue enabled me to reflect upon the issues related to rural development differently, than seeing them with urban eyes.

Prachala Malhotra, Professional Coach and Soft-skill Consultant, Pune

After the Dialogue, I am now questioning a few things that earliest seemed so obviously good to me such as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Organic farming based products in markets, Education etc. I think I need to stay in my confused state for now and wait for things to unfold at the right time.

Satyen Khashu, Executive Trainer and Mindfulness Coach, Grande Namaste, Pune

After attending the Dialogue, I am reflecting upon a few questions:

1. To find ways to strike a balance between technology and self-reliance
2. What ways can bring communities together to be more interdependent, not just in the rural areas but also in the urban jungle?
3. May be it needs to start with urban families becoming more interdependent within

Geeta Prakriya, Bhoomi College, Bangalore

I now know how smart the villagers actually are and doing their job is not an easy task. The dialogue has completely changed my ideology.

Student, Grade IX, DLRC, Pune

I earlier thought that all the locals (villagers) would be illiterate and living in extreme poverty, but my stereotypical thought was proven wrong; villagers were mostly learned uptil high school and had a fairly good income and lifestyle.

Student, Grade IX, DLRC, Pune

My perspective on education has changed a lot after this workshop and I have decided I won’t depend on anyone for my happiness.

Grade IX, DLRC, Pune

This workshop was amazing and I loved it. I learned something that I always wanted to learn, how the world works at this time period and how the other parts of the country work.

Student, Grade IX, DLRC, Pune

I learned how our villagers used to live like communities, in which all of them were like family members. But in recent time, the villages are developing very fast and the communities are breaking into small families. Yet, our villages are still the places where a lot of culture is expressed.

Student, Grade IX, DLRC, Pune

All my stereotypes about the villages were completely shattered during this workshop, for example:

1. Villages are isolated
   
2. Villages have no technology
3. People in villages are dangerous

This workshop has helped me to develop love for the people living in villages.

Student, Grade X, DLRC, Pune

This dialogue has taught me a lot about rural development (how it happens and works). I have learned to interact in a better way with villagers and other people in general.

This workshop has taught me to be a better person. Think about others when I take a decision. It has taught me to work really really hard but also to keep it simple.

Student, Grade VIII