In my research, I wanted to learn about the problems of disadvantaged groups in India. And I wanted to learn how NGOs attempt to solve these problems. I was especially interested in two subject areas: the situation of the indigenous population, seventy million people, and the situation of the rural communities. During my stay in India, I did research for five weeks in the village Amapurkashi with the "Society for Agro-Industrial Education in India", which is mainly active in the area of education with schools and a college. They also organize health camps and help the locals to find new income opportunities. Additionally, I spent ten days with the NGO "Society for the Promotion of Himalayan Indigenous Activities”, which works with the indigenous Van Gujjar, who live nomadically in the Shivalik forests, the foothills of the Himalaya. My main research questions were: 1. Which problems are most urgent for the disadvantaged groups? What solutions do they and the NGO offer? 2. Who is responsible for these problems? Who could, or should, solve them? How? 3. What future would people like to see for their children, their community, their country? I questioned the NGO workers and the locals. In the beginning of my paper, I describe, the developmental situation in India and introduce the two projects, in which I did my research. In the third chapter, I discuss the course of the research and introduce the most important informants and interview partners. Following that, I introduce the methodology I used and how it worked. I also reflect on my own role, on coming back home and on analysing the data. In the fifth chapter, I discuss the results of my research. After a general introduction to the situations of the Van Gujjar and the inhabitants of Amapurkashi, I introduce the answers to the question about local problems. This part is divided into different subjects relevant to both fields, in order to highlight problems the two communities have in common as well as to show the differences. First I talk about income, after that about population growth, the role of the women, health, education and opportunities, politicians and bureaucrats, new income opportunities, environmental protection and problems of developmental cooperation. In the following part, I discuss responsibilities and priorities of the locals. Finally, I introduce the philosophies and strategies of the NGOs I worked with, certain interesting projects and evaluate their work.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1. Questions
- 1.2. Outline of the Paper
- 2. Introducing the Circumstances
- 2.1. The state of development in India
- 2.1.2. Social Workers in India
- 2.2. Preparations & Settings
- 2.2.1. Society for the Promotion of Himalayan Indigenous Activities
- 2.2.2. Society for Agro-Industrial Education in India
- 3. The course of the research
- 3.1. The Course of the Research and my own role
- 3.1.1. Society for the Promotion of Himalayan Indigenous Activities
- 3.1.2. Society for Agro-Industrial Education
- 3.2. Most important Informants
- 3.2.1. Society for the Promotion of Himalayan Indigenous Activities
- 3.2.2. Society for Agro-Industrial-Education
- 4. Methods
- 4.1. Choosing the Methods & Limitations
- 4.2. Planning and Taking Notes
- 4.3. Interviews
- 4.4. Informal versus Semi-Structured Interviews
- 4.5. Language and Participant Observation
- 4.6. My own role
- 4.7. Coming back home
- 4.8. Data Analysis
- 5. Results
- 5.1. Introduction
- 5.1.1. The Van Gujjar
- 5.1.2. In Amarpurkashi
- 5.2. The Van Gujjar and Amarpurkashi's villagers in comparison
- 5.2.1. The economic situation
- 5.2.1.1. The Van Gujjar: Milk
- 5.2.1.2. In Amarpurkashi: Agriculture
- 5.2.2. Population Growth
- 5.2.2.1. The Van Gujjar
- 5.2.2.2. In Amarpurkashi
- 5.2.3. The role of the women
- 5.2.3.1. The Van Gujjar
- 5.2.3.2. In Amarpurkashi
- 5.2.4. Health Care
- 5.2.4.1. The Van Gujjar
- 5.2.4.2. In Amarpurkashi
- 5.2.5. Education and Opportunities
- 5.2.5.1. The Van Gujjar
- 5.2.5.2. In Amarpurkashi
- 5.2.6. Politics and Bureaucrats
- 5.2.6.1. The Van Gujjar
- 5.2.6.2. In Amarpurkashi
- 5.2.7. New Income Opportunities & Environmental Protection
- 5.2.7.1. The Van Gujjar
- 5.2.7.2. In Amarpurkashi
- 5.2.8. Development Aid
- 5.2.8.1. Donor Conditions
- 5.2.8.2. Projects
- 5.3. Responsibilities
- 5.3.1. The Van Gujjar
- 5.3.2. In Amarpurkashi
- 5.4. Priorities of the Locals
- 5.4.1. The Van Gujjar
- 5.4.2. In Amarpurkashi
- 5.5. Strategies of the visited NGOs
- 5.5.1. Society for the Promotion of Himalayan Indigenous Activities
- 5.5.1.1. Participation
- 5.5.2. Society for Agro-Industrial Education
- 5.5.2.1. Education: Rural Resource Management
- 5.5.2.2. International Dialogue
- 6. End
- 6.1. The Main Results
- 6.2. Personal Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research report explores the effectiveness of development projects in Northern India, examining the challenges and opportunities faced by local communities. The research focuses on two NGOs: the Society for the Promotion of Himalayan Indigenous Activities and the Society for Agro-Industrial Education in India. It aims to understand the impact of these development projects on the lives of local communities, particularly the Van Gujjar and the villagers of Amarpurkashi. Key themes explored in the report include: * **Development Aid and its Impact:** The report examines the role of development aid in Northern India, focusing on the conditions imposed by donors and the effectiveness of development projects. * **Social and Economic Conditions:** The report analyzes the social and economic conditions of the Van Gujjar and the villagers of Amarpurkashi, highlighting differences in their livelihoods, population growth, and healthcare access. * **Women's Roles and Empowerment:** The research explores the roles of women in both communities and investigates the opportunities available for their empowerment. * **Education and Opportunities:** The report investigates the access to education and other opportunities for individuals in both communities and the potential for improvement. * **Environmental Protection and Sustainability:** The research examines the environmental challenges faced by both communities and explores strategies for sustainable development and resource management.Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
This research report provides a detailed examination of development projects in Northern India, focusing on the experiences of two local communities: the Van Gujjar and the villagers of Amarpurkashi. * **Chapter 1: Introduction** This chapter introduces the research topic, outlining the questions explored in the report and the overall structure of the research. * **Chapter 2: Introducing the Circumstances** Chapter 2 sets the context for the research by providing an overview of development in India, highlighting the role of social workers and the specific circumstances in the two case study communities. * **Chapter 3: The Course of the Research** This chapter details the researcher's experiences in conducting the research, including her role in each community and her interactions with key informants. * **Chapter 4: Methods** Chapter 4 outlines the methodological approaches employed in the research, including the rationale for choosing specific methods, note-taking strategies, types of interviews conducted, and the researcher's own role in the data collection process. * **Chapter 5: Results** This chapter presents the findings of the research, comparing the social, economic, and environmental conditions of the Van Gujjar and the villagers of Amarpurkashi. It analyzes the roles of women, access to education, and the impact of development aid on both communities. * **Chapter 6: End** This chapter concludes the research report, summarizing the main findings and offering the researcher's personal conclusions based on her experiences.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This research report examines development projects in Northern India, focusing on the experiences of two communities: the Van Gujjar and the villagers of Amarpurkashi. Key keywords include: development aid, social workers, NGOs, Van Gujjar, Amarpurkashi, economic conditions, population growth, women's roles, education, environmental protection, and sustainability.- Quote paper
- M.A. Mira Fels (Author), 2005, Development projects in Northern India, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/92834
