Siddharth's Internship

During my summer internship with the Reimagining Society, I embarked on a journey to rural India, where I had the privilege of meeting several families who rely heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods. Among them, the stories of rural women stood out. These women, who form the backbone of agricultural labor, face a multitude of challenges that often go unnoticed in larger policy discussions. While I expected to hear about the usual suspects—lack of mechanization, insufficient training, and inadequate storage facilities—what struck me most was the unexpected revelation of the groundwater crisis. This issue, coupled with the rising cost of staples, has created a perfect storm of hardship for these communities. Due consent for picture received.  Expected Challenges: Mechanization, Training, and Storage Before delving into the groundwater issue, it’s essential to address the more expected challenges that rural women in agriculture face. When I spoke with women working on their fa...

Continuing my summer journey in India as a Project Management Intern with Reimagining Society, I shifted focus to an integral part of my work: assisting in the development of a case study for knowledge sharing within the organization. The case study focused on the SDG Impact Tracker —a tool developed by Reimagining Society to help nonprofits measure the returns on every dollar invested in advocacy or direct initiatives, particularly in the areas of gender equality and climate change. My work was deeply connected to existing initiatives in India, drawing on local projects as examples of scalable impact. Linking Local Innovation with Global Goals During my time in India, I visited several grassroots-level initiatives that demonstrated a strong connection to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One of the most eye-opening experiences was my visit to a factory that specialized in producing cardboard boxes made from straw, cotton, and starch. This factory, a small but...

As part of my summer internship journey at the Reimagining Society, I travelled to Karnal, Haryana, a rural region in northern India. This visit was not just an opportunity to explore sustainable agricultural practices but also to engage with local communities, learning firsthand about the innovative and eco-friendly methods they employ in their everyday lives. My time in Karnal was filled with insightful conversations that left a lasting impression on me, particularly their resourceful use of non-mechanical tools and traditional techniques to adapt to environmental challenges. Discovering Non-Mechanical Tools in Agriculture Karnal, nestled within India’s agricultural heartland, is known for its extensive wheat production. However, what stood out to me was the ingenious ways local farmers, despite limited access to modern machinery, continue to sustain their agricultural practices. My conversations with several farming families revealed their reliance on non-mechanical tools and age-ol...