Tata National Virtual Academy recognizes change agents as ‘Fellows’

Chennai, October 23, 2017:  As Mrs  Rinki Devi tries to soothe her baby, she also adjusts her green scarf readying herself for a photograph. For today, this young lady from Ranchi has been recognized as a ‘Fellow’ of the Jamsetji TATA National Virtual Academy programme of MSSRF. A coordinator for 12 villages in a forest area with wild animals and little networking, Rinki’s speaks of her travels on foot to nearby villages promoting organic products and farming. Her voice breaks a little as she shares how she has managed to motivate herself amongst all odds to make a difference within and outside of her village, in a LWE-affected region.

Like Rinki Devi, 74 Fellows, from nine states across India were awarded their Fellowship as part of the 11^th convocation programme.  Each of them had been selected through a screening process to recognize and award them for their contribution to their community. Mr Basheer from Kerala for instance has been working on snakes – for antidotes and to create awareness among people on how only four types are poisonous. Malliga, from Pudukkottai district Tamil Nadu has been relentlessly campaigning and creating a change on sanitation practices in her and nearby villages. There were many such heartwarming stories.

Noted scientist, Dr Bruce Alberts, Former President National Academy of Science, United States, the chief guest at the convocation, shared his learning from the communities during his visits to India. He spoke of the importance of science and technology to make an impact to rural areas. He emphasized that there should be two-way communication between change makers like these Fellows at the village level and scientists.

Prof Swaminathan, Founder MSSRF, spoke of the many individuals who have contributed towards creation of the NVA, especially the Tata Trusts.  He said the strength of rural India lies in its traditional knowledge as well as access to information technology and science. He said the ambitious target was of two Fellows per every village of India – a total of 1.1 million and we need to work towards at least two change agents per block – a more reachable target of 10,000. The NVA could transform rural India, with a beehive of activities, he said asking them to continue their good work.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr S N A Jinnah, Chief General Manager NABARD, Regional Office Chennai praised the initiative and said the current Fellows should work towards creating real impact on the ground. He offered the NABARD’s support for the Fellows by linking banks to loans for entrepreneurship, government subsidies or for thematic development work.

Dr B Shadrach, Asia Coordinator, Alliance for Affordable Internet program, Delhi, said digital connectivity would hold the key to development and an estimated 4 billion devices would be available to propel development in all areas, including villages. Given the recent state of Hunger Index where India was placed near the bottom of the table, each NVA Fellow should work to eradicate malnutrition.

Dr Selvam, Executive Director MSSRF shared the importance of this initiative, while Ms Nancy Anabel, Director IEC, MSSRF spoke of the selection process for inducted Fellows. Alumnus and Current Fellows spoke on the occasion about what this meant to them.

The Tata NVA Initiative of MSSRF recognizes rural innovators in natural resource management, agriculture, fisheries, education, health, and sanitation. It has so far inducted 1874 Fellows, 1173 men and 701 women spanning 24 states and 2 Union Territories across India and 38 overseas fellows covering 31 men and 7 women from 12 countries.