Swagrama Fellowship - A Path to Development

The goal of the Swagrama fellowship is to instill responsibility for the development of a village within the residents of each village. The core idea of the Swagrama Fellowship fundamentally differs from any model of rural development that has been implemented before. This model will serve as a future inspiration for similar movements across the country.

From its inception, the Swagrama Fellowship has pursued an alternative approach to rural development, emphasizing a holistic perspective that includes both the enhancement of amenities and the revitalization of local culture. Central to this effort is the active involvement of villagers in the development process, fostering a strong sense of pride and responsibility for the upkeep and progress of their communities.

Progress Report - August 2024

As part of the Swagrama Fellowship program, we have conducted regular review camps with the Swagrama fellows from each of the villages. These camps have been conducted at the Panchayat Raj University, Gadag. The goal of these camps is to review the progress that has been made in these intervals while also charting out the path forward. The most recent of these camps was conducted in mid-August!

The Quarterly Progress Review and Project Planning Meeting for the Swagram initiative took place on August 17-18, 2024, at Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University, Gadag. The meeting was inaugurated by key figures, including Prof. Dr. Suresh V. Nadagoudara (in absentia), Dr. Prakash Bhat, and Sri Venkatesh Murthy Ji, among others.

The opening session, led by Dr. Thippeswamy, emphasized collaboration, transparency, and strategic planning for the next quarter. Team presentations showcased key achievements in various sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and youth engagement, while also addressing challenges, including political interference and resource constraints.

Fundraising and financial transparency were major topics discussed, with Venkatesh Murthy Ji leading the session on sustainable fundraising strategies.

Emphasis was placed on maintaining transparency in fund collection, management, and utilization.

Teams were encouraged to strengthen partnerships with corporate sponsors and NGOs, while also ensuring accountability through standardized practices like daily reporting, direct vendor payments, and depositing funds in official accounts. The session also introduced the "FUND MANTRA" of Collection-Savings-Expenditure-Audit to guide future financial activities.

The second day included a panel discussion led by experts who discussed strategies to strengthen the Gram Vikas Samiti and Old Students Associations for sustainable rural development. Capacity-building programs, transparent tracking systems, and inclusive participation were highlighted as key strategies for empowering local communities.

The meeting concluded with group discussions and action planning for the next quarter, reaffirming the commitment to Swagram’s mission of building self-reliant and empowered rural communities under the motto "Our Village, Our Pride."