Author name: ninad

India, with a population exceeding 1.1 billion, emphasizes housing as a crucial facet of its development. Housing, habitat development, and environmental factors are pivotal in the country’s business and developmental goals. The Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) addresses global housing needs, focusing on a research study to review existing housing finance models for home renovation in India. The study analyzes state and central-level housing programs, schemes, and redevelopment models, including financing for individual home improvements and renovations in older communities. The study aims to assess India’s housing sector performance, considering demand and existing financing options across income groups. The goal is to design and pilot-test a suggested financing model in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Simple random sampling was employed, using both primary (collected through personal interviews) and secondary data (from published and unpublished sources). The study reveals a need for improving loans for home improvement, as most of the existing banks do not have policy regarding this despite a market demand. An evident gap exists in the market for financing home improvement loans, with no bank or institution addressing this issue. Home improvement loans, alongside home loans, are seen as a solution to establish a robust housing system and develop the best habitat in India. The report underscores the necessity of establishing an effective market system to ensure equal access to comfortable and sufficient housing for all citizens in need. The focus remains on contributing to the broader goal of creating an egalitarian housing landscape in India, emphasizing the relevance of home improvement loans in achieving this objective…

India, with a population exceeding 1.1 billion, emphasizes housing as a crucial facet of its development. Housing, habitat development, and environmental factors are pivotal in the country’s business and developmental goals. The Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) addresses global housing needs, focusing on a research study to review existing housing finance models for home renovation in India. The study analyzes state and central-level housing programs, schemes, and redevelopment models, including financing for individual home improvements and renovations in older communities. The study aims to assess India’s housing sector performance, considering demand and existing financing options across income groups. The goal is to design and pilot-test a suggested financing model in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Simple random sampling was employed, using both primary (collected through personal interviews) and secondary data (from published and unpublished sources). The study reveals a need for improving loans for home improvement, as most of the existing banks do not have policy regarding this despite a market demand. An evident gap exists in the market for financing home improvement loans, with no bank or institution addressing this issue. Home improvement loans, alongside home loans, are seen as a solution to establish a robust housing system and develop the best habitat in India. The report underscores the necessity of establishing an effective market system to ensure equal access to comfortable and sufficient housing for all citizens in need. The focus remains on contributing to the broader goal of creating an egalitarian housing landscape in India, emphasizing the relevance of home improvement loans in achieving this objective…

India, with a population exceeding 1.1 billion, emphasizes housing as a crucial facet of its development. Housing, habitat development, and environmental factors are pivotal in the country’s business and developmental goals. The Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) addresses global housing needs, focusing on a research study to review existing housing finance models for home renovation in India. The study analyzes state and central-level housing programs, schemes, and redevelopment models, including financing for individual home improvements and renovations in older communities. The study aims to assess India’s housing sector performance, considering demand and existing financing options across income groups. The goal is to design and pilot-test a suggested financing model in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Simple random sampling was employed, using both primary (collected through personal interviews) and secondary data (from published and unpublished sources). The study reveals a need for improving loans for home improvement, as most of the existing banks do not have policy regarding this despite a market demand. An evident gap exists in the market for financing home improvement loans, with no bank or institution addressing this issue. Home improvement loans, alongside home loans, are seen as a solution to establish a robust housing system and develop the best habitat in India. The report underscores the necessity of establishing an effective market system to ensure equal access to comfortable and sufficient housing for all citizens in need. The focus remains on contributing to the broader goal of creating an egalitarian housing landscape in India, emphasizing the relevance of home improvement loans in achieving this objective…

Since 2018, the Center for Sustainable Development, in collaboration with the Maharashtra State Council of Educational Research and Training (MSCERT) and the NGO Leadership for Equity (LFE), has conducted action research in Maharashtra to enhance the quality of education through the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in schools. Maharashtra State, recognizing the significance of technology in teaching, prioritizes its integration to elevate learning outcomes. To guide investments effectively, the state seeks to identify the most efficient tools and approaches to support schools in filling gaps and optimizing the use of digital technology and resources through the Digital School Survey. The survey was carried out with 1000 schools in Maharashtra through a mix of online and offline in Marathi and English through Survey Monkey. The data analysis provides an overview of ICT integration in Maharashtra schools, revealing that teacher-driven efforts using personal mobile devices and corporate social responsibility initiatives contribute to increased ICT use. The recommendations highlight key strategies for enhancing ICT integration in Maharashtra’s schools. Customized resource packages, guided by the government, leveraging CSR efforts for device provision. Encouraging IT industry investment in rural connectivity ensures equitable access. Promoting ongoing teacher professional development, especially through “tech-savvy” training, correlates with increased ICT integration. Clear government guidance on content quality standards, including recommended YouTube channels, supports teachers in selecting high-quality resources. These insights underscore the role of public-private collaboration in advancing information technology in education in Maharashtra…

Sudhagad, located in Maharashtra’s Raigad district, is among the 15 talukas in the region, comprising 98 villages and a town. Unfortunately, the area faces significant challenges, lacking essential amenities such as water, energy, toilets, and schools. Despite government interventions in development planning, progress is hindered by the extensive nationwide coverage required. In response, PRIDE India aims to positively impact marginalized communities in Sudhagad, fostering lives of dignity and self-respect. The organization intends to implement its Ideal village program in Mahad taluka, in the Sudhagad Pali Block. This initiative encompasses comprehensive village development, spanning health, education, livelihoods, and community development. To plan effective interventions, PRIDE India collaborated with Renovate India, conducting a community needs assessment study that involved 1194 samples of households, including key informants like Anganwadi workers and school teachers. The survey used questionnaires to gather qualitative insights, employing a process comprising desk review, data collection, field visits, data analysis, draft review, and documentation. Study findings highlighted major challenges, including unhygienic behavior and poor sanitation leading to prevalent diseases. Gendered time poverty was identified among women due to the time spent fetching water. Approximately 15% of respondents faced drinking water scarcity, with around 40% consuming untreated water. Notably, 83% preferred private health services over government facilities. Anganwadi centers lacked basic infrastructure. 95% of respondents disposed of their garbage in the open due to the absence of proper waste management. Addressing these issues is crucial for transforming these villages into ideal communities, and the study serves as a foundation for targeted interventions to improve the quality of life in Sudhagad….

Rural development, especially in developing countries like India with 70% of its population residing in rural areas, is a crucial concern. The distribution of the tribal population is uneven, with Madhya Pradesh leading at 14.7%. Gujarat, with an 8.6% tribal population, exhibits distinctive rural-tribal characteristics in districts like Surat and Dangs. The study emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of rural-tribal dynamics, particularly in areas like Valsad district of Gujarat. This study focuses on the challenges faced by tribal communities, a particularly disadvantaged group of Warli community. The study employs simple random sampling to select the sample.. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews, incorporating both closed and open-ended questions across 101 households. To ensure accessibility, questions were simplified and presented in Hindi. The study’s focus on two villages, Chandvegan and Veribhavada, brought to light critical findings in water access, livelihoods, health, education, and women’s empowerment. Notably, the absence of tap water places a burden on women, revealing societal patriarchal tendencies. Agriculture remains the primary livelihood, and education, particularly for girls, faces challenges due to a lack of interest of parents in sending a girl child to the school. In response to these findings, the study proposes recommendations for water resources, livelihoods, healthcare, and agriculture. Specifically, there is a need to construct sustainable water storage facilities connected to households through pipelines to alleviate the burden on women. Improving irrigation facilities for farmers is crucial for year-round crop growth, enhancing livelihood opportunities. Additionally, the study suggests organizing monthly health camps at the village level to improve the health status of women and children….

The impact of industrialization on traditional artisans, particularly leather craftsmen in the Chamar caste, has led to a decline in their livelihoods, facing stiff competition from multinational companies. Despite the CSR Act of 2013 mandating companies to allocate 2% of profits to CSR activities, major Indian footwear brands focus on education, health, and the environment, neglecting the upliftment of cobblers. To address these challenges, various central and state-level schemes, skill development institutes, and startups like “Shoe Drop” and “Indosole” have innovated in the footwear industry. Internationally, Nike and Adidas prioritize sustainability, using recycled materials, and combating pollution. This need assessment study delves into the socio-economic conditions of the cobbler community in India, aiming to shed light on their challenges and propose solutions to enhance living standards. The descriptive study gathers detailed quantitative and qualitative data through individual interviews and FGD involving 30 cobblers, 10 vendors, and 5 NGOs. Key findings reveal that women in the cobbler community are primarily housewives, suggesting the creation of women’s SHGs to encourage small-scale businesses. The community’s low-saving culture can be improved through financial management sessions, addressing the lack of awareness about government schemes through awareness sessions. Encouraging children to enroll in government-offered courses, redesigning kachcha workstations, and linking cobblers to existing government schemes, microfinance institutions, and low-interest loans from banks can further enhance their socio-economic conditions and minimize dependency on vendors…

Education is a key to an individual’s social and economic growth, contributing to the economy by imparting essential skills. Primary education, in particular, lays the foundation for labor capabilities, serving as a powerful tool for poverty alleviation and socio-economic development. A pivotal moment in India’s educational landscape was marked by the inclusion of Article 21-A in the constitution, declaring ‘free and compulsory primary education’ as a fundamental right. The recent shift to online education during the lockdown posed challenges, especially in rural areas lacking the necessary infrastructure for immediate digital transformation. The Government of India initiated various programs like PM e-VIDHYA, DIKSHA, SWAYAM, SWAYAM PRABHA, and O-LABS. However, students in rural areas face hurdles in accessing and utilizing these digital resources due to a lack of tools and technology. The Pratham InfoTech Foundation (PIF) addresses this gap through its Digital Learning Program, Majhi e-Shala, which aims to instill a positive approach and encourage teachers to integrate new technology into their teaching methods. This study, employing the interview method with a sample size of 614 school principals, 60 teachers, and 180 students, seeks to comprehend the current teaching practices and school infrastructure in various ZP schools. Major findings highlight a low student-teacher ratio, declining enrollment, inadequate digital devices, limited internet connectivity, a dearth of content in regional languages, and teachers lacking digital skills. Urgent interventions include upgrading digital infrastructure, providing teacher training, and making content available in regional languages to facilitate a seamless transition to e-learning.

Palliative care improves the quality of life for patients and their families facing life-threatening illnesses. In India, economically weak families struggle to access palliative care due to high treatment costs and insufficient healthcare infrastructure. littleMORE supports cancer patients and their caregivers at Tata Memorial Hospital with material, financial, nutritional, and moral support. The organization aims to provide palliative care through OPD services and residential facilities. A needs assessment study highlighted the demand for dedicated palliative care, current care provisions, access barriers, and challenges faced by stakeholders. Key findings emphasize the need for financial assistance, emotional support, and caregiver relief to ensure well-being…

Concern India Foundation, a non-profit established in 1991, focuses on developmental causes across India, empowering disadvantaged communities in education, health, and community development. With 33 years of impact, the…