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the flow

SEEED E-LEARNING: THREE COURSES & MORE TO COME

5/31/2022

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February 2022 marked the launch of our SEEED E-Learning series, made possible with support from Skat Foundation, DGRV, GIZ, and WISIONS.  Hosted on our new SEEED E-Learning platform, the series was launched as part of our SEEED Accelerator, an initiative to unlock the full potential of hydro mini-grid practitioners and communities in the Asia Pacific, Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa.  

Social Enterprise for Energy, Ecological and Economic Development (SEEED) is HPNET’s approach for community-scale hydro implementation, based on the core elements needed to optimize hydro mini-grid sustainability, local socio-economic benefits, and climate resilience.  The core elements of SEEED are shown below. 

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The SEEED Accelerator focuses on knowledge exchange and advocacy to generate impact, facilitating local practitioners to transition to sustainable hydro mini-grids rooted in the SEEED approach.  The SEEED E-Learning series offers courses focused on the core elements of SEEED, shown above.  The first three courses hosted thus far were:
  1. Fundamentals of Community-Scale Hydro Mini-Grids
  2. Climate Resilient Solutions to Hydro Mini-Grids
  3. Agroecological Benefits of Hydro Mini-Grids
Course 1: Fundamentals of Community-Scale Hydro Mini-Grids

The first course was hosted over 6 weeks during February and March, 2022, and focused on technical and local enterprise aspects of community hydro systems.  The course began with a live Kick-off Session overviewing HPNET’s SEEED Initiative and introducing the course instructors, modules and e-learning platform.  The curriculum provided participants with a solid introduction – and, for some, some a useful refresher – on the fundamental elements of sustainable community-scale hydropower implementation.  

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Course modules included:
  • Orientation to Hydro Mini-Grids
  • Social Enterprise Models for Mini-Grids
  • Demand Assessment
  • Water Resource Assessment
  • Terrain Assessment
  • Power Output Design

In addition to independent learning, weekly live sessions provided opportunity for peer-to-peer dialogue and engagement with instructors.  Participants joined from a range of backgrounds and the organizing team in turn learned a lot from participants who shared their experiences during the live sessions. In total, 211 people registered representing 43 countries and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. We are very pleased by the turnout and response for our first course of the E-Learning series!
Course 2: Climate Resilient Solutions to Hydro Mini-Grids 

Sustainable watersheds are the foundational element of SEEED because hydro mini-grid sustainability relies on healthy forested watersheds; in turn, hydro mini-grids incentivize watershed restoration and stewardship.  In the context of the global climate crisis, ecosystem health is all the more important for ensuring climate resilient hydro mini-grids and communities.  

With this in mind, the second SEEED E-course focused on solutions for enabling climate resilient hydro mini-grids.  The course oriented participants to the important role of traditional ecological knowledge and environmental governance systems of Indigenous and local communities.  It then introduced the key phases of watershed management for hydro mini-grids and practical examples of watershed treatment, such as reforestation, agriculture-related solutions, and built structures for managing flooding and erosion. 

The course modules included:
  • Orientation to Community-Scale Hydropower
  • Climate Resilient Watersheds of Hydro Mini-Grids
  • Phases of Watershed Management for Hydro Mini-Grids
  • Watershed Treatment for Hydro Mini-Grids

​To kick off the course, we were privileged to have Hon. Adrian Banie Lasimbang join us as a speaker, who is an Advisor for TONIBUNG and JOAS and serves on the boards of the Right Energy Partnership (REP) and HPNET.  Watch the recording for insights on the role of Indigenous communities in the water-energy-food-forests-livelihoods nexus.

 
PictureOwner of rice mill powered by a cooperative-owned micro hydro system in Shan State. Credit: D. Vaghela.
Course 3: Agroecological Benefits to Hydro Mini-Grids

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), agroecology is “a holistic and integrated approach that simultaneously applies ecological and social concepts and principles to the design and management of sustainable agriculture and food systems.”  Agroecology presents an integrative approach that generates multiple benefits for people and nature.  The latest course of the series introduces the integration of community-scale hydropower with agroecology for mutual benefits.  Alongside refresher modules from Course 1 and 2, the key module is “Impact of Community Hydro on Agroecology”, which covers:
  • Agroecology and Climate Resilient Livelihoods
  • Integrating Community Hydro with Agroecology
  • Food Forests for Community Hydro Catchment Areas


Field-Based Training
In conjunction with Courses 2 and 3, a field-based workshop was conducted in Sitio Gawaan Proper, Kalinga Province, Philippines, to build the capacity of local practitioners and community members to develop climate resilient hydro mini-grids and leverage benefits at the nexus of water, energy, food, forests and livelihoods. Read more here.

Upcoming SEEED E-Learning Courses
Registration is now open for the next SEEED E-Learning course, Local Manufacturing of Turgo Turbines. The course will take place over 5 days in late June, 2022, and is designed for experienced manufacturers of hydro mini-grids. Click here to learn more.

To stay in-the-loop on SEEED E-Learning opportunities, sign up for our newsletter!

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INTRODUCING THE SEEED E-LEARNING PLATFORM

5/31/2022

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We are thrilled to announce the launch of our SEEED E-Learning platform!  The all-new platform is designed to facilitate online learning and capacity building on key topics for hydro mini-grid sustainability and social-ecological impact.  The E-Learning platform provides an interactive, user-friendly interface that hosts our SEEED E-Learning series, which we launched earlier this year with support from Skat Foundation, DGRV, GIZ, and WISIONS.  

The SEEED Approach
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Our E-Learning initiative is embedded in the SEEED Accelerator.  Collating 40-years of experiential hindsight in the Asia Pacific, HPNET established the Social Enterprise for Energy, Ecological and Economic Development (SEEED) approach for community-scale hydro implementation.  Ultimately, SEEED aims to facilitate sustainable hydro mini-grids that support community empowerment beyond electricity generation.

​The SEEED approach integrates key factors for optimizing hydro mini-grid sustainability, local socio-economic benefits, and climate resilience.  The core elements of SEEED are shown below.  The foundational elements of sustainable watersheds and technical reliability focus on functionality.  Once they are established and the system is functioning consistently, productive end use and inclusive enterprise aspects can be achieved, bringing value-add to local livelihoods.  

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SEEED Accelerator

The approach is embedded into an accelerator program aimed to unlock the full potential of hydro mini-grid practitioners and communities.  The Accelerator incorporates knowledge exchange and strategic advocacy to advance context-responsive solutions in line with proven approaches.  The SEEED Accelerator utilizes a 4-step strategy to generate impact from knowledge exchange and advocacy activities, as shown below. 
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SEEED E-Learning Series

The SEEED E-Learning platform is designed to support practitioners to learn about the core elements of SEEED, through self-paced, interactive learning.  So far, the platform has hosted three E-courses: 
  1. Fundamentals of Community-Scale Hydro Mini-Grids
  2. Climate Resilient Solutions to Hydro Mini-Grids
  3. Agroecological Benefits of Hydro Mini-Grids

The independent learning portion of each course consisted of a series of modules designed around video-based learning, supplementary reading and self-assessment quizzes.  Participants also engaged in live sessions to connect with experts and peers on the topics addressed in the modules.  To read more about the above courses, click here.   
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We look forward to hosting more E-Learning opportunities soon, including the 5-day course, Local Manufacturing of Turgo Turbines, in June, 2022.

To stay up to date on SEEED E-Learning opportunities, sign up for our newsletter.
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NEPAL:  MINI HYDRO COMMISSIONING AND LOCAL CAPACITY BUILDING BY RERL-AEPC AND UNDP

5/30/2022

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Renewable Energy for Rural Livelihoods (RERL) is a joint project of the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) of the Government of Nepal and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).  Last quarter, RERL made headway on multiple small-scale hydro projects, including the testing and commissioning of the Phawa Khola Mini Hydropower Project, and a mason training to develop local capacity.

Phawa Khola Mini Hydropower Project


In April 2022, RERL conducted power output testing for the 500 kW Phawa Khola MHP, located in Sirijangha Rural Municipality of Taplejung district, Nepal.  This project will provide electricity access to unelectrified households in the vicinity and the surplus energy shall be exported to the national grid through net metering provision.  RERL expert and HPNET member Jiwan Kumar Mallik shares more about the Phawa Khola Mini Hydro commissioning here. 


The project was developed under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) project of the Asia Development Bank (ADB), funded with subsidy, community equity and a loan from Machhapuchre Bank (MBL).  Upon completion of the SASEC project, a total of four mini hydro systems with a total capacity of 1.1 MW will be in operation.  

Mason Training
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To support local capacity development in the catchment area of the Saniveri Mini Hydro project, RERL organized a 15-day Mason Training in Saniveri Puttha Uttar Ganga, East Rukum, Nepal. The training also included 2 days of ‘On the Job’ vocational training facilitated by Baraha Institute of Engineering and Technology.  10 men and 5 women participated in the training and are expected to be engaged in construction of the MHP.
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Mason Training in Saniveri Puttha Uttar Ganga, East Rukum, Nepal. Credit: RERL.
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INDIGENOUS-LED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AT 2ND ASIA PARKS CONGRESS

5/30/2022

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Indigenous peoples have a wealth of knowledge and long-proven environmental governance systems that support healthy watershed ecosystems. In turn, Indigenous-led watershed conservation can contribute toward biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and climate resilient hydro mini-grids. 

HPNET Board Member, Hon. Adrian Banie Lasimbang, recently brought this important message to the 2nd Asia Parks Congress, which was held at the Sabah International Convention Centre from May 24-29, 2022.  Hon. Lasimbang is an Advisor for TONIBUNG and JOAS and a Board Member for the Right Energy Partnership (REP).  At the congress, Adrian presented a paper on the ways in which Indigenous-led watershed conservation contributes to biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation, highlighting the role of the Tagal system in watershed management, through a case study in Ulu Papar, Sabah.  Tagal refers to the watershed stewardship system/protocols of the Orang Asal Indigenous communities of Sabah. 
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Hon. Adrian Banie Lasimbang presenting at the 2nd Asia Parks Confress. Source: B. Lasimbang.
Read More:
  • Kickoff Session: Climate Resilient Solutions to Hydro Mini-Grids – Featuring Hon. Adrian Banie Lasimbang sharing perspectives on climate resilience, the water-energy-food-forests-livelihoods nexus, and Indigenous rights, traditional knowledge and stewardship protocols.
  • Earth Voices Blog: Featuring Kampung Buayan, Ulu Papar
  • TONIBUNG (friends for village development) - HPNET Member Organization
  • Jaringan Orang Asal SeMalaysia (JOAS) - The Indigenous Peoples Network of Malaysia
  • Right Energy Partnership
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NEPAL:  HONORING SMALL-SCALE HYDRO PIONEER, MR. SHYAM RAJ PRADHAN

5/23/2022

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The small-scale hydro sector for energy access in Nepal has achieved immense success over the last fifty years, with over 3000 communities electrified using mostly localized technology.  Amidst new challenges and opportunities, policy, technology, and institutional solutions continue to emerge from Nepal’s long committed and experienced ecosystem of stakeholders.

Such a vibrant, living localized sector in Nepal has been made possible thanks to the pioneers who sacrificed professionally and personally to advance the sector as a whole.  One such early pioneer of micro and mini hydro development in Nepal is the late Mr. Shyam Raj Pradhan, the founder of Nepal Yantra Shala Energy (NYSE), now the leading small-scale hydro manufacturer and service provider in Nepal and in South Asia, serving the sector globally. ​
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Mr. Shyam Raj Pradhan at Balaju Yantra Shala. Credit: Video Biography of Shyram Raj Pradhan
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In the 1980s, Mr. Pradhan electrified remote communities in the foothills of the Nepali Himalayas. Credit: Credit: Video Biography of Shyram Raj Pradhan
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Projects areas of NYSE. Credit: Video Biography of Shyram Raj Pradhan
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Mr. Pradhan inspecting a Pelton runner. Credit: Credit: Video Biography of Shyram Raj Pradhan
To honor Mr. Pradhan’s legacy, NYSE has released a biography in the format of both a book and a video-biography capturing his inspiring journey to becoming a gifted engineer and leading social entrepreneur.  Among the highlights presented in the video-biography, using historic visuals from the years of 1937 until 2014, include:
  • Overcoming challenging socio-economic conditions in his youth [5:11]
  • Making the most of educational and other learning opportunities [7:14] 
  • Joining the Swiss Association for Technical Assistance (SATA) in 1958, and becoming the chief of engineering at Balaju Yantra Shala (BYS), one of the key enterprises that led to developing Nepal’s ecosystem of local experts [8:17]
  • Developing the earliest multi-use hydropower innovations, including in 1962 Nepal’s first micro hydro project installed to innovatively feed fish in the Godawari pond [10:59]
  • Excelling at BYS, leading to a 2-year opportunity in 1964 to learn advanced mini hydro and hydraulic ram pump technology in Switzerland, and return to Nepal committed long-term to small-scale hydro [11:48]
  • Finding his life partner, Mrs. Baba Pradhan, who played a vital role in developing NYSE while raising their two young children, as the family became fully committed to small-scale hydro [13:23]
  • Establishing his first manufacturing workshop, supplying hydropower and productive end use equipment for agri-processing, papermaking, and other rural industry [14:58]
  • Building the capacity of villagers and youth who wanted to learn hydropower design, and impact of the Agriculture Development Bank in scaling up installations [17:03]
  • Committing to high quality standards, including innovating different types and capacities of turbine designs to generate higher efficiencies [23:36]
  • Developing a legacy through his sons and the many persons he has trained to ensure Nepal was self-reliant in terms of small-scale hydropower knowhow [25:56]
Mr. Bikram Pradhan and Dr. Suman Raj Pradhan, sons of Mr. Shyam Raj Pradhan, held a launch ceremony for the biography in May 2022.  The event was attended by various experts of Nepal’s small-scale hydro sector, including:
  • Dr. Narayan Adhikari, Director of Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC)
  • Dr. Govinda Pokhrel and Shree Krishna Updhaya, Ex Vice Chair-person and Ex Members of the National Planning Commission
  • Dr. Ram Prasad Dhital, Commissioner of the Nepal Electricity Regulatory Commission and former Executive Director of the AEPC
  • Mr. Vishwa Bhushan Amatya, small-scale hydro and energy access expert, and Board Member of the Hydro Empowerment Network (HPNET)
  • Surendra Mathema and other members of the Nepal Micro Hydro Development Association (NMHDA)
  • Dr. Prachanda Pradhan, the scholar individual who initiated the biography. ​​
Images and a video of the launch ceremony can be found here.  The event was also mentioned in this news article (in Nepali language).  The video-biography is accessible here:
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HPNET MEMBERS & PARTNERS AT SEFORALL FORUM 2022

5/23/2022

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From May 17-19, 2022, several HPNET members and partners attended and presented at the Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) Forum in Kigali, Rwanda.  The forum brought together stakeholders from around the world to take stock of progress, address challenges and spur investment towards the delivery of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) to end energy poverty and advance a just energy transition globally.

We provide a brief snapshot of HPNET’s member and partner presence below.


Presenters
  • Madhusudhan Adhikari, Executive Director of the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC) in Nepal, took part in high level dialogues and also presented.
  • Ayu Abdullah, Co-Executive Director at Energy Action Partners, spoke on the panel organized by the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), “Certification Approaches for Decentralized Renewable Energy Practitioners."
  • Ranisha Basnet, Project Manager at Energypedia, spoke at the Humanitarian Energy Conference held as a side event to the Forum. (Read More)

Attendees
  • WISIONS
  • People, Energy & Environment Development Association (PEEDA)
  • Green Empowerment    
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DOBRIYAL BROTHERS SHARES A SNAPSHOT OF COMMUNITY PRIDE

5/20/2022

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HPNET Member, thirty-five year old Aman Dobriyaal, based in the foothills of the Himalayas in India, taught himself how to manufacture pico hydro Crossflow turbines over a decade ago. Since then Aman has built and helped to install over 700 units for households and communities in remote corners of India, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  

His local enterprise Dobriyal Brothers recently established a turbine manufacturing center, soon to include a pico hydro testing facility.  Aman seeks to advance their work and contribute experiences by engaging with HPNET’s SEEED Accelerator.  

Among the units he supplied this quarter is a 3kW system to electrify an Indigenous community near Rayagada, Chitragrah, supported by the local government.  Aman visited the site for a feasibility assessment and then guided the team remotely to install and test the system.  

He received this video of jubilee, which exemplifies the Indigenous pride that comes with localized approaches to community-scale hydro.

Check out the video!
For more information contact Aman Dobriyaal at dobriyalbrothers1986@gmail.com and at +91 95570 79907 by phone or WhatsApp.
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SELF-TAUGHT MALAWI MANUFACTURER RECEIVES TEVETA AWARD

5/16/2022

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Malawi-based small-scale hydro entrepreneur, Hastings Mkandawire, recently received an inaugural, prestigious award from the Technical, Entrepreneurial, Vocational Education and Training Authority (TEVETA), called Ngwazi ya Lusu mu Malawi, translated as "The Most Skillful Person in Malawi".  A self-taught engineer, Hastings began manufacturing pico and micro hydro turbines from recycled materials to generate electricity in his village and neighboring communities.  

His first decade in the sector focused on pico hydro projects, developing over 100 units.  During this period he trained over 50 youth and facilitated the formation of a youth group, which went onto installing over 300 units.  Because rural Malawi is less than 5% electrified, the pico hydro units have brought immense benefits to the communities.

Nearing the start of his second decade in the sector, in 2014 Hastings was selected to take part in the Mandela Washington for Young African Leaders (YALI) fellowship program, after which point he established the turbine manufacturing social enterprise,  Muzuzu Institute of Technology and Innovation (MZITI) in 2015.  MZITI has enabled Hastings to spend the last decade focusing on upgrading his pico hydro fabrication skills to micro hydro manufacturing.  The MZITI facility has various metal fabrication equipment, including lathes, welding machines, cutters, etc.  At MZITI Hastings can now manufacture Crossflow and Pelton turbines for micro hydro capacities.  In addition, Hastings supports pico and micro hydro communities in establishing productive end uses, including manufacturing grain mills at MZITI.

With recent support from the Segal Family Foundation, MZITI now has a computer aided design (CAD) center, allowing Hastings to advance his manufacturing.  HPNET is collaborating with Hastings to find ways to develop higher efficiency micro hydro systems at MZITI, and to scale up its implementation to accelerate rural electrification in Malawi.

At the YALI Summit, then US President Barack Obama acknowledged Hastings’ work, saying: “​​In rural Malawi, he saw towns in darkness, without electricity. So now he gathers scrap metal, builds generators on his porch, takes them down to the stream for power, delivers electricity so farmers can irrigate their crops and children can study at night”.  
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Learn more about Hastings’ work in the links below -- keeping in mind that some of the videos are outdated and do not reflect Hastings current phase of development. :)  HPNET will soon feature Hastings in a StreamSide Chats edition -- stay tuned!

  • “YALI Fellow: Hastings Mkandawire Making Electricity” 
  • “Homemade” – a video featuring Hastings’ story
  • “Social Entrepreneur Spotlight: Hastings Mkandawire”
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"HIDDEN NO MORE": LOOKING BACK ON THREE DECADES OF LEADERSHIP WITH URMILA SENAPATI

5/10/2022

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PictureUrmila Senapati. Credit: A. Behara.
In this edition of Hidden No More, we are thrilled to feature Urmila Senapati, a community hydro pioneer in her own right who led community development initiatives in Odisha, India for over three decades.  Under Urmila’s leadership, community energy access projects were first initiated at Gram Vikas, where she worked from 1986 to 2019, tirelessly advocating for community-led transformation.  Read on for a glimpse into Urmila’s inspiring journey, as she reflects on her trials and triumphs over the years. 

You can check out more Hidden No More interviews here.  The series spotlights women small-scale hydro practitioners, to honour trailblazers who have made a difference in the sector and to inspire the current and next generation of women practitioners.


To start with, Urmilaji, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I started with Gram Vikas in 1986, when I was 26 years old.  I worked there for 33 years, until retiring in 2019. I currently live in my native village called Raghunathour, in Jagatsingpur District in Odisha State, India.  While I was working for Gram Vikas, I never thought that I would retire when I reached a certain age; I always thought that I would retire when I felt tired, but there is an enforced age for retirement that I had to follow. After retirement, many of my well-wishers invited me to continue my journey working in the sector, but unfortunately my mother’s health condition, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, prevented me from continuing. That said, I still try to help my colleagues with work matters over the phone sometimes.
When I was working, I hardly had any time to spend with my parents.  Now it is a blessing that at least I have the chance to look after my mother in her old age.  In addition, I’ve recently developed some of our unused land into a small vegetable garden.  I’m applying some of what we taught communities about agriculture and land management and am getting great satisfaction from my garden.  Giving advice to others is a completely different experience than doing it oneself! 
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Urmila and a neighbour tending to their crops. Credit: U. Senapati.
How did you start your career and what inspired you to start working in community development?

I was born and raised in Kharagpur, West Bengal up to grade 7, as my father worked for the railway department.  When my grandfather passed away, my siblings and I (two boys and four girls) moved to our family’s village with my mother.  We went to live with our paternal uncle, but it didn’t work out.  My uncles were very powerful men in the village.  They didn’t allow us to live with them nor did they give us our share of our paternal property.  They harassed us and prevented me from going to school.  I was 11 years old at the time.  They purposefully disconnected our electricity and didn’t even allow us to buy kerosene from the shop to use for lanterns.  Those incidents sparked a rebellious spirit in me.  I realized how rich and powerful people treat the poor. 

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Under such conditions I completed my studies, and at the age of 19, I started my career as a government school teacher, but I did not continue for long.  One of my cousin’s brothers, Badal, was working in the charitable sector and asked me if you I would be interested to work in the sector.  The day I got the chance to work in the nonprofit sector, I immediately joined Gram Vikas as a Field Organiser in a remote tribal village under Kerandimal project, Ganjam District.  During those days a typical work day included 16-17 hours of walking, often from 6:00am to 11:00pm, to engage with community members.  Most of my friends criticized me, saying that I was crazy to leave my government job for this type of work, but I did not care. After that I never looked back.  I grasped the opportunity to work independently and uplift the voices of poor communities to a higher level, to fight against injustice and inequality. This is the way I started my career in the nonprofit sector. Over time I held different positions with increasing responsibility, up to Senior Manager, and did my best to produce positive results in each role.
“I grasped the opportunity to work independently and uplift the voices of poor communities to a higher level, to fight against injustice and inequality."
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Koinpur tribal village in Gajapati district. Credit: U. Senapati.
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Horticulture developed in Bafola tribal village in Kalahandi district. Credit: U. Senapati.
We understand that it was under your leadership that renewable energy initiatives were first initiated at Gram Vikas. What inspired you to start promoting micro hydropower?

I realized early on that water is a precious resource.  In southern and western Odisha, most tribal communities are less developed than those in other parts of Odisha.  They lack basic services and access to clean water, electricity, communications, food security, healthcare, etc.  Most tribal people die from common diseases like diarrhoea, TB, fever and jaundice, most often impacted by waterborne diseases.  Water is important for many reasons.  Can you imagine that, to get a bucket of water, a woman must walk 1 to 2 kms in a mountainous area?  Cooking and eating must be finished before nightfall, otherwise families must eat by the light of a fire (“chula” light).  Some communities have abundant natural resources but cannot benefit from them; all the water goes downstream and is used for large hydroelectric dams and irrigation channels to improve agriculture production for affluent people.  The government always thinks that, unlike the rich, poor people need only poor solutions.

In this context, we noticed that some villages had very good untapped water sources up in the mountains.  It occurred to me that we could use this water to improve livelihoods through electricity access, but at first, I did not know how. I discussed this with my Director who consulted a few technical experts.  One person named Jogesh, from Utarakhanda, visited one of our sites and said the site could produce 15 to 25 KW of electricity. Using their feasibility report we decided to construct a micro hydro project.  Fortunately, at that time we had an Australian volunteer named Michael who had been working with Gram Vikas for two years, under the leadership of then-Program Manager, Liby Johnson [now Executive Director of Gram Vikas].  Michael provided technical support to initiate the first micro hydro project in a tribal village called Amthaguda in Kalahandi District.  When Michael left, Dipti Vaghela [now Network Facilitator and Manager at HPNET] joined Gram Vikas, providing technical support to continue the project and she helped to bring it to completion.  We were able to work within a very restrictive budget, since the community contributed in-kind labour and provided local materials free of cost, and we developed a system for monthly tariff collection.  We also supported one youth from the village to receive training on system operation and maintenance.  This project not only generated electricity, but also helped the community to increase their food production through land irrigation, provided 100% of households with 24/7 access to safe water for toilets, and improved health by mitigating water borne diseases.

The day electricity came to the village, people celebrated by cooking a bhoji for a jatra (as if there was a festival for the whole community).  What the government had not accomplished over 60 years, the community accomplished in two years, with perseverance to overcome various challenges. Upon seeing the success of micro hydro in Amthaguda village, other nearby villages stepped forward to develop community hydro as well.  To date, five hydro mini-grids are running in Kalahandi District.
What kind of challenges have you encountered in your career journey? Have you faced particular challenges as a woman practitioner?

Yes, I have encountered many challenges in both my personal life and working life.  Firstly, as a woman, it is often not easy to be accepted as a leader; often you are only accepted when there is no alternative and only once you have proven yourself.  I first faced this challenge and demonstrated my leadership capacity in Thuamul Rampur project in Kalahandi District.

Thuamul Rampur project was, and remains, one of the key tribal community sites for Gram Vikas.  It was situated in a forest reserve area with no communication services and only one pucca (“paved”) road from Bhawanipatna district headquarters to Thuamulpur block headquarters, thus I had to walk part of the journey.  Due to its extreme remoteness and underdevelopment, in a hilly area with dense forest, those living in the area faced many challenges including malaria, lack of electricity, no running water, and dangerous wildlife encounters.  Moreover, the site was 450 kms from Gram Vikas headquarters.  The project was initiated in 1988.  From ‘88 to ’94, 6 Team Leaders were posted within 6 years.  Most of them were not interested to stay in such poor conditions for extended periods.  Not only Team Leaders, but also staff turnover was very high.  Those who visited the site and didn’t quit immediately often came down with malaria after a few weeks (although this problem has since reduced).  As such, amongst Gram Vikas staff, this project was considered the most difficult.   Often, staff would resign before transferring to Thuamul Rampur having heard of its challenging conditions; and those who were successful in Thuamul Rampur earned great respect.  The area was rich in natural resources like water sources, forests and minerals, and both  a challenging yet inspiring context for outsiders.

In 1995, I was posted as a Team Leader in Thuamul Rampur.  I was shocked to find that 95% of my staff were much more senior than myself and there was only one woman out of 45.  “Who will take me seriously,” I thought.  The staff advised that, being a woman, I should not go to the field and, rather, remain working from the project office.  All the community work would be done by them, and I was only to process bills and pay vouchers.  I was confused and afraid -- how could I lead the project without doing field work and engaging with communities?  I informed them that my primary job required field visits and I acted accordingly.  During field visits I noticed some problems including improper reporting of finances and staff work hours, and lack of discipline among staff when in the villages.  I tried my best to correct these issues, but it was not an easy task for me.  The staff disliked the changes I was trying to instill and created obstacles for me.  The situation worsened to the point that my supervisor became my adversary; but thankfully the Gram Vikas Director was able to understand my intentions and was supportive.
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Village meeting on implementation of micro hydro project in Karlapat village, Kalahandi District. Credit: U Senapati.
How did you overcome these obstacles? What helped you to persevere?

​During that challenging time in Thuamul Rampur I discussed the situation with our Director and thankfully he provided moral and strategic support, even directly in the field.  As a result, I was able to continue and became the only Team Leader who successfully completed 5 years as a Team Leader in Thuamul Rampur.  I’m happy to see that the programs initiated during my leadership continue to be sustained by communities, including: establishing the Residential tribal school named Gramvikas  Shikhsyaniketan in August, 1998; the Livelihood, Water & Sanitation Programme which has benefitted 100% of the households in the village; solar PV systems and biodiesel projects (biodiesel produced from un-utilized local seeds, in collaboration with a Canadian NGO named CTx Green); water pumping from dug wells to supply bathrooms in tribal villages; and, of course, the micro hydro initiatives.

More broadly, I benefited from maximizing the time I spent with community members, getting to know the reality on the ground, and I learned many new things from them.  I always tried to be a friend to community members, not a boss.  Acceptance by community members is one of the most important factors for getting work done.  Sharing knowledge and, in turn, learning from local knowledge is one of the most important tools.  Local peoples’ practical knowledge is more useful than any outsider’s knowledge. For this reason, I succeeded by empowering local people to become leaders who would be the real drivers of successful development programs.
“I succeeded by empowering local people to become leaders who would be the real drivers of successful development programs.”
Would you have recommendations for organizations to better support women team members?

First and foremost, a Team Leader or Executive Director must have confidence in women team members that they can do good work.  An attitudinal change is required. 


I overcame obstacles many thanks to my Assistant Director, Mrs. Anthiya Madiath, who motivated me in so many ways and helped me to build my capacity through training, exposure visits, critical meetings, and mentorship. Thanks to her support I decided to commit myself to the empowerment of tribal and marginalized communities work until the end of my life.  Training, exposure, and inclusion in decision-making are some key ways that organizations can build the capacity of women practitioners.

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Annual general meeting in September 2012 at GV head office, Mohuda in Ganjam District. Credit: Gram Vikas.
From your experience, how does gender relate to water management and community hydro?  And how can we encourage women’s full participation and leadership in these areas?

Women and water are inseparable. We cannot think of gender equity and water management separately.  In the context where I have lived and worked, it is women’s primary responsibility to get water for the household and it is women who do all work related to water, from agriculture to household labour.  If water is mis-utilized the first people who will suffer badly are women.  As a result, we’ve found that women are highly motivated to participate in water management initiatives. 
“Women and water are inseparable. We cannot think of gender equity and water management separately.”
​For example, we conducted a series of village meetings to motivate the community to participate in decision making and contribute labour for the community hydro project.  All community members agreed to the meeting but the next day we didn’t see any men at the worksite.  Only women community members were present and did the work.  When we asked about men, the women said they went to the bazaar or were playing cards in the village.  “They won’t work but we cannot sit idly because we are struggling to get water,” they would say.  “It is our responsibility to fetch water for the home.”  In the end, we noticed only a few men participated.  A similar situation repeated with the collection of funds for micro hydro maintenance.  So, to answer your question, I have not faced any difficulty motivating women to participate and take the lead; in my experience, this happened naturally.
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Tribal women return with firewood from the nearby forest in Maligaon village, Kalahandi district, Odisha. Credit: Gram Vikas / A. Behera.
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Village Electrification Committee meeting for micro hydro activities, Karlapat village in Kalahandi District. Credit: Gram Vikas.
When you look back at your career, what are you most proud of?

At the end of my 33-year career with Gram Vikas, when at times I feel that friends and acquaintances may have forgotten my contributions to the organization, I feel touched that the communities I engaged with haven’t forgotten me.  Whenever I feel down, very often my spirit is lifted when I receive a phone call from a community member saying, “Didi [meaning elder sister in Oriya], please come to visit our village”. 

​I feel proud of the many development initiatives that I initiated, which improved the livelihoods of tribal communities.  I am lucky that I had the opportunity to work with tribal communities in the remote interior through Gram Vikas, in inaccessible areas where development was once just a dream.  Initially, I thought it was impossible to work in such remote areas where you could not manage adequate food and mobility, but thanks to support from colleagues, training, exposure, etc., I could succeed.  
Overall, I am very thankful to Gram Vikas for a highly rewarding career.​

One of my proudest accomplishments came out of one of the most difficult struggles in my career.  In 1992, I was posted as Team Leader in Rudhapader project, in Ganjam district.  During my field visit I noticed that villagers were cultivating a small patch of brinjal in infertile land within the forest reserve; for this, every year, the forest guard and rangers took bribes from them.  I motivated the community to shift to cashew plantations instead of brinjal, which would result in a better return.  They agreed and implemented this successfully with financial support from Gram Vikas.  The next year, the forest rangers asked for bribes, but I encouraged the community not to pay any bribe to anyone.  When they didn’t pay, the rangers became angry.  They illegally arrested people and kept them in the Tarasing Rang police station.  When it came to my notice I rushed to the station and confronted them.  In the end, they released the community members, but 10 forest and criminal cases were filed in my name in 1992.  I had to regularly attend court from then until 2004.  That 12-year experience is one I will never forget, but at the end of my painful struggle I saw a remarkable outcome.

In total 20 families were living in the village.  From 1995/1996 onwards, each family was earning a minimum of 20,000 to 50,000 RP cash in a year from cashew sales (depending on land size).  Today, after a long fight, every family in the village has a land record in their name under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA). Now the village scenario has completely transformed.  Recently a family showed me their new marble house through a video call.  Often, they call and invite me to visit their village.  I feel very proud of what was accomplished in this village.
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Rudhapar area family receiving land records under the Forest Right Acts. Credit: Gram Vikas
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Tribal community members assembled for training on the Forest Rights Act in Koinpur village, Gajapati district, Odisha. Credit: Gram Vikas.

READ MORE: Forest Rights Act: Ensuring rights, access and control over forest rights and resources

Would you like to share any final thoughts for our readers?

Nothing is impossible.  Everything is possible with hard work, willingness and honesty. Your struggle today will give you happiness tomorrow that will last the rest of your life.


Finally, I’ll share a quote that I feel is 100% correct when looking back at my experiences: “Love your job but don’t love your company, because you may not know when your company stops loving you” -- Dr. Abdul Kalam, the former President of India. It reminds me that, as a woman leader, being committed to the upliftment of marginalized communities may mean displeasing some people in the process – but the end result, achieving my mission, is worth being steadfast.

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A quotation and photo of Urmila on display at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, as part of an exhibit on a Women & Water Programme in which Urmila participated in Kyrgyzstan in 2013. Credit: Julia Collins.
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