The 18th Shodh Yatra concluded in Lahaul and Spiti with participation from Pangi Valley representatives
The 18th edition of Shodh Yatra concluded on Thursday, with Rural Managers and members of the Praja Mandal from the Pangi landscape attending the final day in Udaipur town, Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh.
Shodh Yatra, an annual event organized by the Honey Bee Network under the guidance of Padma Shri awardee Professor Anil Gupta, aims to connect students with nature, local communities, and grassroots innovators. Over 40 students from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad participated in the six day program, interacting with local entrepreneurs and innovators working on socially impactful projects with limited resources.
This year, participants from Pangi Valley shared their insights on the Himalay Unnati Mission’s (HUM) Model Landscape Development Program and their experiences with the students. Representatives from the Praja Mandal, the existing local governance model in Pangi Valley, also joined the HUM session on the final day. The Praja Mandal of Dharwas Panchayat shared the history and strengths of their institution.
During the session, a short video on the Model Landscape Development Program, along with the HUM Impact and HUM MLDP Playbook, was presented and well-received by the attendees. Following the presentation, students engaged with numerous questions, which were thoughtfully addressed by the representatives from Pangi Valley.
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to Professor Anil Gupta for giving HUM the opportunity to participate and interact with the innovative minds from IIM Ahmedabad. We also express our gratitude to our HUM Knowledge Partner, RcFC North-1, NMPB, AYUSH, and the Government of India for inviting us to be part of the Shodh Yatra,” said Amit Mehta, Program Director of HUM.
The second half of the session featured a talk show where the Rural Managers, particularly women leaders, shared their personal journeys. Their stories were met with much appreciation from the audience.
“Interacting with Professor Anil Gupta and the students was a great experience for us. We had in-depth conversations about the various projects we are running in Pangi Valley and discussed ways to increase production and distribution. Overall, the experience was enriching for our Rural Managers, as it gave them a broader perspective on real-world challenges,” said Suraj Prakash, the Community Facilitator of the Pangi Landscape Development Program.
“We shared views on resource requirements for social change, alongside discussions on the gap in educational resources between rural and urban areas. This collaboration has opened many avenues for HUM to work toward a better Himalayas, focusing on the sustainability of ecological, economic, and socio-cultural heritage in the region,” Prakash added.
Shodh Yatra encourages students to learn from four “teachers”—within themselves, their surroundings, nature, and common people—while meeting agents of social change. Professor Gupta, who has led these walks in every Indian state, began the event to foster learning through real-world experiences and to push students out of their comfort zones.
About Author
Leave a Reply