In 2012, the Ministry of Rural Development launched the Prime Minister’s Rural Development Fellowship (PMRDF). In this path-breaking initiative, young graduates from a variety of educational backgrounds—doctors, lawyers, engineers—were sent to some of India’s most backward and conflict-affected districts in a two-pronged approach: to harness the energy of the youth by connecting them to hands-on, grassroots public service; and to provide professional support at the ‘last mile’ of service delivery. Making Development Happen follows a select number of these PMRD ‘Fellows’ on their individual journeys into India’s hinterland. Through personal narratives, the volume lays out the situation on the ground in the violence-torn districts the pioneers were posted in, and recounts their efforts to bring about social welfare with cooperation from the local district administration. In so doing, it brings to the fore the real-world challenges faced by the Fellows, and provides insights into the way the government machinery works at the grassroots level. The first section highlights the personal experiences of working in conflict regions. The second looks into the question of entitlements owed to marginalised communities. The third focuses on using locally available resources to promote sustainable and alternative livelihoods, and the final part recounts attempts to ensure better governance. Together, these narratives show how, despite all scepticism, there is positive change occurring in India’s conflict-prone regions. Documenting the transformative work undertaken by the PMRD Fellows, this volume emphasises that it is possible to channel the passion, curiosity and creativity of India’s youth to addressing the country’s developmental challenges. It will be of immense use to government officials, development practitioners, academicians, as well as the general public. Contents: Abbreviations Tables, Figures and Boxes Acknowledgements Preface 1. Securing Development Issues and Challenges in India K. SEETA PRABHU, S. PARASURAMAN & ANANYA CHAKRABORTY 2. The Story of the Political Economy of India Conflict and Concerns G. HARAGOPAL PART I ———— PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF WORKING IN CONFLICT REGIONS 3. My Experience as a Change Agent A PMRD Fellow’s Journey KUMAR MANISH 4. From Urban to Rural A Couple’s Journey in Chhattisgarh MAYUR GUPTA & HARSHA VASHISTHA 5. A 48-hour Journey to Freedom Working in a Maoist Stronghold JECHONIA ISLARY Insight 1 Redefining Empowerment Experience of a Visually Challenged PMRD Fellow BIBHUTI BHUSHAN NAYAK PART II ———— PROTECTING PEOPLE’S RIGHTS 6. Securing Entitlements in a Context of Conflict IPSITA SAPRA 7. Padho Simdega The Quest for Quality Education in a Conflict Situation SHASHI KANT VERMA 8. A Small Revolution in Odisha Making a Kandhamal Village Open Defecation-free NIVEDITA MOHANTY 9. Project Avval Improving Institutional Deliveries in Adilabad, Telangana ANANTHA KRISHNAN R. K. 10. Uncounted Lives The Missing Daughters of Khunti, Jharkhand SHILA MATANG Insight 2 Addressing the Needs of Children with Disabilities Case from Umaria, Madhya Pradesh KUMAR MANISH Insight 3 Combating Fluoride Contamination in Garhwa, Jharkhand SANTOSH KUMAR Insight 4 Addressing Child Marriage in Keonjhar, Odisha NILAMADHAB DIGAL Insight 5 Liberating Labourers from Bondage in Nabarangpur, Odisha ANURANJAN MINZ PART III ———— ENHANCING LIVES AND LIVELIHOODS 11. Saving Lives and Livelihoods Case Studies from India’s Contested Landscapes ANUPAM SARKAR & SAGAR WADKAR 12. Coffee Plantation Additional Livelihood Avenues for Farmers in Rayagada, Odisha DEVAN KUMAR KUDA 13. Bringing New Life to Mango Producers A Tale from Mayurbhanj, Odisha RASHMI RANJAN ROUT 14. Promoting Fisheries as a Livelihood Alternative A Case from Arwal, Bihar PANKAJ KUMAR RAI 15. Many Faces of Success Establishing a Livelihood College in Sukma, Chhattisgarh AJITENDRA KUMAR 16. Taking the Skills Path Advait Skill Training Centre in Aurangabad, Bihar NAMRATA VILOCHAN 17. Waste to Wealth Fly Ash Brick–manufacturing in Gondia, Maharashtra VIJAYKUMAR MADHUKAR TATE Insight 6 Preserving Indigenous Rice Varieties Heritage Agriculture in Mandla, Madhya Pradesh NEHA GUPTA Insight 7 Gurukul of Skill in Dongargaon, Chhattisgarh PRESHIT AMBADE Insight 8 Facilitating Army Recruitment of Youth in Kondagaon, Chhattisgarh MAYUR GUPTA PART IV ———— ENSURING PARTICIPATION AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE 18. Restoring Governance in Conflict Areas MRUTUYANJAYA SAHU 19. To the Forest Born Implementing Community Forest Rights in Sirasanapalli PRATHIMA NALABOLU 20. Deepening Social Security Transforming e-Governance Systems for Pension Delivery ADITYA TYAGI Insight 9 Promoting Convergence in Sambalpur, Odisha NILAMADHAB DIGAL Insight 10 Artists’ Federation for Social Awareness in Kandhamal, Odisha SAUMYA RANJAN NATH 21. Mediating Developmental Change Some Reflections K. SEETA PRABHU AND TORAL GALA Notes on the Editors and Contributors