Founder of Deshpande Foundation

On 24 August 2009, the great philanthropist and Social Entrepreneur Dr. Gururaj Deshpande 'Desh' visited foundation. He addressed to all the staff members.

He visited LEAD office and spent some time with the LEAD members.
Mr. Naveen Jha (Derector Deshpande Foundation, DCSE), Annie Vijaya, Megha Hegde, Gururaj Deshpande (Founder Deshpande Foundation) and Ajay Suman Shukla.

New Responsibility in Deshpande Foundation

I am appointed in Deshpande Foundation as a Program Manager for LEAD (LEaders Accelerating Development)program. I joined after the day of fellowship graduation on 23rd July.

Thanks to all Hubli people, Deshpande Foundation staff and my co-fellows because of them I was able to perform the best and got this opportunity.

This is the best achievement for me to be the part of Deshpande Foundation and work for Foundation. As it is my passion to work with YOUTH so I am quite comfortable to contribute my services on this designation.

This is dream to make this program a National Identity. Each student is a LEADer to come with the best solution. LEAD believes in " Problems start with 'THEY'...Solutions start with 'I'..."

To know more on LEAD click and Visit www.dcselead.blogspot.com

DFP Graduation Day

Deshpande Fellowship Program Cohort - 2 graduation day was celebrated on 22nd July. It was a seven months long journey when I got an overwhelming experience from the fellowship. There were many unforgettable moments that I will never forget.

This fellowship was multi-dimensional learning as well as live experience. Normally people take the learning when they came across suddenly to some incidents and happenings or we learn from others experience. But this fellowship was a plate form for me to explore my self, keep myself always active, utilize the time maximum, get networking with the local and International people, check my potentials and skills, and enhance them up to the best level.

Deshpande Foundation has great opportunity for them who really want to make positive changes in themselves, their community and in the world. Here I recognize the strength of individuals and realize that;

"Everything is possible
making possible I can do into I do
No barrier of language and other hindrances to perform the best
time never bounds to perform less
multi tasking at a same time
to be self motivated always
Enjoy the work in hectic schedule also"

There were number of success and achievements in fellowship that is continuing ahead ..... to see more...............

"Aaja Nachle" a dance charity show

Organizers: Dev, Usha, Meenakshi, Gayatri, Savitha, Latha and Ajay.

At the last month of fellowship Deshpande Fellows Cohort-2 organized a District level dance show on 19 July 2009. Objective of this event was to raise the fund for promoting and supporting social ventures for the development of Hubli city. It was a total charity entertainment show. 17 Dance performances from 14 dance troops including 60 participants made the audience stick to the chaires for constantly three hours.

Solo and group dance of bharatnatyam, kucchipudi, mohiniattam, katthak, hip-hop, Michel Jackson,etc. were the performances on which more than 350 audience of Hubli-Dharwad made their tune with the performers.

Fellows Devdanam, Latha, Meenakshi, Savitha Bai, usha, Gayatri and Ajay collaboratively worked to organize this event.
Fellows raised charity fund of Rs 70,900 through this event.

A Session on Imagination and Creativity

Burli a B.Tech scholar in computer science from BVBCET engineering college of Hubli. He is quite good in creative thinking and linking it with the reality of life.

All people are potential to think creative, create the solutions and to make changes within themselves that helps in the success of life. But it happens very less. Most people think the way they can change themselves and to make their own way only in the conditions when all other options stops to choose or in compulsion. Here I mean to say that every day is to do some that will add to your personality. Personality develops only when we are thinking creative and do constantly efforts.
This session in that I participated today was not a lecture to make students aware about their duties and responsibilities. But was more than that to think and act upon the individuals growth. There are many ways to do the same work but the way that can result better or make others to appreciate is called the best way of completing the task.
Always performance is not counted by results it is counted by process and strategy also to do the work. If we take an example of a class all students are given the same drawing to make but only some students are declared the best ones. Why.....
Because they make an image in to their mind about the drawing and then put it on paper in creative way. Here I mean to give this example is not to tell about the process of making a drawing but it is the way of getting good results by the people who apply creativity in to their actions and make a difference.
This session taken by Burli was aim on the same to be creative in doing the task.

Picasa link

Click on this link and enjoy fellows photos.

An impact study on rain water harvesting

Water is critical for survival of human. Without water agriculture production is also not possible, by understanding this Water Literacy Foundation (WLF) started to make society literate about water harvesting and conservation through introducing and implementing water conservation methods. WLF introduced methods are functioning effectively and betters crop production. Methods are helpful in increasing ground water level and practicing agriculture in better way.

We did an impact study for monitoring and evaluation of rain water harvesting project in 7 villages of Gadag district to observe whether WLF methods have achieved desired results of increasing ground water level and yield through water harvesting/conservation or not.

We visited and observed last two years (2007-2008) work for our study because Deshpande Foundation funding to WLF since last two years. We selected 7 villages and select the beneficiaries through purposive sampling method. We did our impact study based on survey, observation and personal interviews methods. We did project implementation impact study and analyzed usefulness of project. We studied how WLF methods are helping farmer to improve their social status.

The indicators for the study include, no of works completed, Total number of villagers applying projects activities, Improvement in yield, involvement in different social economic activities, Peoples view on improvement of water level, number of Villagers benefited, contributions of farmers, Impact on farmers saving each year.

We recommend that these techniques of rain water harvesting shall be introduced to all farmers who are still not using, farmers committees shall be formed in all villages.

March towards polling booth

India is the biggest democracy in the world and now has faced 14th Parliamentary election. In India voting ratio never goes up to the mark it remains very less. For promoting the people to cast their valuable vote in this election a 4 km march was organized by Deshpande Fellow Cohort-II and LEAD scholars of Deshpande Foundation in the collaboration. This march was started from BVB engineering college and ends at Rani Chennamma circle, CBT bus stand, Hubli. In this march the main motive was to encourage shopkeepers, passengers, students, vehicle drivers, community people and office people etc. Fellows interacted with all people and distributed them pamphlets.
Deshpande Fellow Ajay and Chandru along with lead program manager Annie facilitated this march. About more than 50 youth from different colleges participated in this "March towards polling booth". All the participants concluded the program with lightening the Deep (lamp).

Challenge 5 K

A Report on 5 K Challenge

Introduction
In life there are some challenges that people must face. Some of them occur unexpectedly and some are planned. Challenges that we take in planned way, we make a particular strategy towards them to complete successfully. One of the pre-planned challenges was given to all fellows of Deshpande Foundation. This ‘5 K Challenge’ started on 17th April and ended on 27th April 2009. As an important part of the Deshpande Fellowship Program the all fellows made a specific plan for business before starting business activities. In this activity all learning and strategies of guerilla marketing and Market Oriented Value Enhancement (MOVE) were also used. In this activity fellows gained experience in selling sarees door to door. After getting negative feedback from customers’ fellows changed the strategy of selling sarees to new customers.
Module Description
‘5 K Challenge’ business activity was to learn about marketing and entrepreneurship skills. Fellows Gayatri and Ajay were on one team. Before going to purchase any product the team had plan. The fellows came up with the idea of saree selling because equal ratio of one boy and one girl in the team could do the business well and there was no problem in entering in to houses. Fellow found that this business they can do any time to approach the women in the houses or offices. So on the first day the fellows visited local market of Hubli. First fellows visited the market individually to know the market price of sarees and then both together for purchasing.
The team members planned to not spend full amount so they purchased sarees at a cost of Rs. 1685 in the first shop and sarees from another shop at a cost of Rs. 1020. Fellows preferred sarees that cost between Rs. 115 and 305, these particular sarees were purchased by keeping in mind customers preferences. Two qualities of cotton sarees were purchased along with all other sarees. On the same evening fellows made plan, how to sell the sarees so first planned to visit apartments. Fellows fixed the rate of selling sarees Rs 30 more than the purchased price. While visiting apartments got many difficulties like not to getting permission to enter the apartment and lack of interest from women. Fellows again reviewed the plan and approached the colonies and offices to sell. Through this strategy fellows succeeded and were able to sell 8 sarees. Then three sarees were sold to ‘Safe Hands’ security women and some of them took sarees on credit. They promised to pay the amount in the coming month. After this there were still some remaining stocks of 5 sarees so fellows made collaboration with other co-fellows to sell sarees with their product who were also doing the saree business and other garments business. In the last day of business fellows went to slums and here they introduced sarees but the response was very poor. In the slum, women were pricing very less than real price of sarees and they were also suggesting that you have purchased these sarees in a very high rate and price is not relevant to the quality of sarees. Here fellows were able to sell only one saree. Fellows sold sarees on very less profit when fellows saw that they were not able to sell according to their decided price. At the end closing stock was of four sarees.
Key Points
In the ‘5 K Challenge’ business, fellows applied different strategy to attract the customers to purchase sarees. The main part of process was to use guerilla marketing techniques in selection, approach and selling the products to the customers and changing the way of selling. This activity was real experience to know the market risks and identification of customers. One thing is very important that one should think all about the product, market, customers and do the research to know all terms clearly according to the business.
Lessons Learned
In the ‘5 K Challenge’ fellows learned many things such as one should engage directly with customers to better understand the market and customers. Before planning for a business one must conduct market research on the particular product. When fellows introduced themselves as Deshpande Fellows to the customers, in some place it was good but in some places customers were suspicious. Fellows also used some references and were able to sell the sarees easily. Customer’s choice change as per their standard of living.

An Eco-tourism visit to Dandeli Forests

Deshpande Fellows Eco-tourism visit to Dandeli Forests. In this Eco visit fellows got new learning with fun in recognizing the nature and it's importance in human life including wildlife conservation. They also had stay with 'Vanavasi' community.

LFA

Logical Framework Analysis Module Report

Introduction: Logical framework analysis (LFA) is used to present a project in an effective manner to a funder. It is a document that provides comprehensive but condensed details about a project. LFA is a tool to help designers of projects to think logically about the purpose of the project, identify the outputs of the project and form the activities to produce the output of the project.

This module ran for three days to focus its theoretical as well as practical learning. During these days all fellows learned many new and useful lessons. After this module we are much confident to make an LFA on the basis of proposal. This module is very important for us to recognize a project proposal and project itself that how much is proposal is strong to run successfully. This report details the material covered in LFA module.

Key points if the module: In LFA module the main key points are the main factors those define all about module description. Key points includes concept of logical framework, the need of the logical framework, goal, purpose, activities, indicators, output, means of verification and assumptions in preparing LFA table. Problem tree and objective tree terms are also important to know the condensed information. Steps include in stakeholders analysis and three steps of making LFA success; top down, work across and bottom up are also the key points.

Module Description: The logical framework (LFA) is an analytical, presentation and management tool that can help planners and managers to analyze the existing situation during activity preparation, establish a logical hierarchy of means by which objectives will be reached, identify the potential risks to achieving the objectives to get sustainable outcomes, establish how to monitor and evaluate outputs and outcomes and, if desired, present a summary of the activity in a standard format. An LFA also helps project managers monitor and review the activities during implementation. A logical framework is also known as a project framework, which is a tool for planning and managing development projects. The log frame should be concise. It is always important to remember that the log frame does not intend to show every detail of the project or to limit the scope of the project. It is simply a convenient, logical summary of the key factors of the project. It can be explained in two pages of A4 size paper. There is no need to explain each and every thing in a log frame in an elaborate way. In logframe analysis only the problem, objective and logframe table is must be included. It should be written so that people for whom it is being presented should understand all the information.

The logframe model was developed first in the United States and has since been adopted and used by many other donors. In standard format a logframe summarizes the said objective of the project, the activities that will be used for achieving the purpose, the assumptions that may affect the project, the required resources, how success of the project can be measured, etc.The LFA is used because most funders prefer it. It can be used for planning, management and evaluation of a project. It not only tells the plane of project, but it also shows the project’s aim and how it will run. LFA also provides a handy summary to inform project staff, donors, beneficiaries and other stakeholders, which can be referred to throughout the lifecycle of the project.

In the group of three people we made the problem tree, objective tree and LFA table on the project called, ‘Improve the Socio-Economic Status of Sexual Minorities.’ Below given table explains the indicators, verification and assumptions of the project.

(Model of logical framework analysis)

Logical Framework Analysis Table
Particulars	Measurable Indicators	Means of Verification	Important Assumptions
Goal
To Improve Socio economic status of sexual minorities in India
Purpose
To reduce Social stigma attached to Sexual Minorities, To achieve social acceptance	30% of general population will be aware about rights of sexual minorities 2015 in Karnataka	SMs working in public sector by external survey /study
Outputs
1. Linked to alternative employment for sexual minorities	40% of the participants initiate IG activities by 2015 in Karnataka	Follow up reports, reports of MFIs
2. Established network with Gos, NGOs and institutions to improve coverage	80% of Gos and NGOs consulted for networking by 2011	Administrative records Visitors register
3. Advocacy done	No of questions and issues raised of sexual minorities in Assembly and Parliament by 2013	Press release and media coverage	Overwhelming support & involvement of community.
Activities
1. To form groups and providing micro credits with the help of MFIs	75% of SM population will be covered by 2012	Registration List, administrative Documents, MFI documents , MPRs	MFIs will provide credits to trained participants.
2. IG training Program for minorities	70% of the covered population will be provided IG training by 2014	Training attendance, Schedule, agenda & reports
3. Exposure visits	All participants exposed to successful SM groups.	Travelling tickets
4. Networking with Gos and NGOs by individual and delegation meet.	No. of Gos and VOs linked	Administrative records,
5. Awareness to the SM and likeminded people by FGD	80% of SM population will be awared by 2020	schedule, agenda, photographs
6. Training on advocacy	500 training by 2015	Reg.list, schedule, agenda, photographs
7. Awareness to general public on gender by street plays	2000 street plays by the end of the project.	photographs & Media coverage

There are some terms used in LFA designing, like goal, purpose, output, activities, indicators, means of verification, assumptions, super goals and inputs. Goal is the ultimate result to which the project is contributing or, in other words, the desired impact of the project. Purpose is the change or effects that will appear if project outputs are achieved. Outputs are the intended results of the project activities; outputs may be the milestones for the project that will indicate the progress on different stages of the project. Indicators define the qualitative and quantitative dimensions of measuring progress, whether project output, purpose and goals have been achieved. Means of verification (MOV) is the data that assess the indicators’ progress. Assumptions assess the external factors that influence the project and can be the major cause of affecting the project.

LFA should be a result of team effort, and there should be involvement of all possible stakeholders. Involvement of stakeholders will strengthen the narrative summary, and the LFA will be more transparent and authentic. At the time of starting LFA designing it is the best to first design the problem tree, then the objective tree and finally the logical framework table. The problem tree identifies the main problem addressing by the project, its cause and its effect. It helps to create the objective tree because the objective tree always identifies and gives the positive solution of the problem. For identifying a problem there are two methods: focal problem method and objectives oriented method. SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunities and threats) analysis and spider diagrams are also used in LFA to make it stronger, more meaningful and authentic.

Three stages of the success of LFA define the top-down objective in the first stage, measurable indicators and means of verification in the second and assumptions in the third.

Learning: During LFA session I was involved in activities to gain a better understanding of the subject. The first activity, spider diagram practice, was to learn how to assess keenly the project. Through the spider diagram we can discover which particular part needs more attention so that in the future there more efforts can be diverted to this particular portion. The second activity was basically practicing LFA. In this practice I confirmed that if a project is really good then it can positively impact a funder. If an LFA is designed well, it is sufficient to explain the proposal in its entirely.

Learning on Agriculture

Brief report on agriculture module

Introduction: On March 12, 2009, the agriculture module started. All fellows introduced themselves for module facilitators. The method of introduction was to tell one’s name, professional background and expectations of the fellowship program. Mr. Srikanth, Mr. S.L. Desai, Dr. M.B. Pattanshetti and Ms. Sangeeta Patil were the main facilitators for this module, and they all were from AME Foundation. AME Foundation is a Bangalore-based organization that mainly works on agricultural issues and has national-level identification on agricultural issues. All facilitators of this module are the employees of AME Foundation and hold different positions in AME.

Key points of the module: In the agriculture module scenario of the agriculture were told that the total geographical area in Karnataka is 190.50 lakh hectares and total cultivatable area is 123 lakh hectares. Total cultivated area is 116.70 lakh hectares. If it will be considered for irrigated area then it is 31 lakh hectares (26.5%). The total state’s domestic product from agriculture is 20 percent. 73 percent of small and marginal farmers are cultivating 34.5 percent of land. Now the farming situation in India is not up to that level as it should be according to total population of the country involve in the agriculture. Degrading soil fertility, soil carbon and capacity to hold moisture is reduced from the cultivable land. Repeat crop is failing due to environmental degradation and erosion of biodiversity and farm ecosystem also affect on the production. Farmer’s income is decreasing while cost of the production is increasing every year. Local enterprises have collapsed which causes the unstable market and exploitation.

Module description: On the first day Mr. Srikanth started the session with the explanation of the agricultural scenario in India and Karnataka. He said that in India the total geographical area is hectares land of that land, 140 million hectares is cultivatable, but only 30 million hectares is cultivated. In some crops India is in the leading position; India is the second largest rice and wheat producer, the largest milk producer and the world leader in dairy animal products, and the second largest producer of vegetables. India produces 41 percent of the words mangoes, 23 percent of its bananas, 24 percent of its cashew nuts, 36 percent of its green peas and 10 percent of its onions. In the state of Karnataka the total geographical area is 190.50 lakh hectares of the cultivable area is 123 lakh hectares and the area under irrigation is 31 lakh hectares (26.5 percent land). Then the resource person explained contract farming and backward linkage. There are some challenges also in rural livelihood, such as the lack of food and nutritional security, lack of self-reliance in some farmers and lack of capacity building and knowledge empowerment.

In the history of Indian agriculture there was some revolutions that resulted in the improvement of India’s agricultural status. In 1965 to 1970 the ‘green revolution’ which enhancing crop production, and in the 1980s there was the horticulture revolution, with high values crops and then the white revolution for milk corporations. The horticulture consumption in the country is

• Urea 27 million tons (13,500 crore),
• DAP 7.5 million tons (7,500 crore),
• MOP 4.2 million tons (2,310 crore)

In the second-day session I learned about the integrated farming system and livestock. The integrated farming system includes integrated crop management, integrated nutrient management, integrated pest management, livestock management, natural resource management and income generation activities. LEISA (low external input for sustainable agriculture) is a method that gives sustainability to the agriculture while using low-cost inputs like organic manures, natural resources, etc. Now LEISA technology is necessary to use in rural agriculture because it decreases the total cost of the crop and promotes (natural resource management) NRM.

Farmer’s field visit: In the afternoon on the second day, I visited the village of Kurdikeri of Hubli Talluka. First I was introduced to the locally-used natural manure resources. All farmers made a practical presentation on manure organics, showing the processes they use for making manures. Then I visited the farmers’ field. Here one meeting was organized where Mr. Desai explained the process of how farmers use technologies in their fields. I also saw how farmers apply practical practices to crops to prevent pesticides and insects. It is called Farmer’s Field School (FFS).

On the third and last day of the module I participated in debate. This debate was on the topic ‘Rural Economy and Industrial Economy’ and all Deshpande Fellowship Program fellows were divided into two groups. The main objective of this activity was to enrich the knowledge of fellows and to recall all the learning.

During all sessions documentary films were shown : Highway to Hell, Seed in Internal Exile, New Hopes in Groundnut Farming System.

Learning: I learned many things from this module but the lesson of effect of pesticides on land crops and human beings was the most interesting for me. After learning the various disadvantages of pesticides I am quite confident to talk with farmers about it.

The market knowledge and use of new technologies are also some of the best practices all farmers should know and make maximum use of. I can facilitate farmers well in collaborating with the market and using advanced technologies and locally available resources.

Conclusion: Agriculture is a vast issue and it is also a less considered issue in terms of learning. Most of the time agriculture is ignored as an industry. In India agriculture gives livelihood to the 1,100 million people of the total population. On the bases of all aspects here some points that can be considered as the next step in agriculture development. There is a need to

• Bring middle level farmers into the development process,
• Build their awareness level about what is happening around them,
• Build their ability in managing the farm natural resources efficiency,
• Help them to learn more efficient cropping patterns and
• Build their abilities to deal with marketing and other externalities.