REMA SARASWATHY. Researcher and Practitioner- Social Development

Transcription

1 REMA SARASWATHY Researcher and Practitioner- Social Development Summary Professionally qualified Demographer, with Statistical background, acquired practical skills in professional social work and social development interventions. With avid interest in action research towards sustainable development, initiated a number of field programmes through the institutions associated with. Instrumental in uplifting the life and livelihood of rural population through direct interventions and by providing expert advice based on scientific social researches. Leading a life dedicated to the profession, and now as the Founder Secretary of Institute of Sustainable Development. Education 2003: Ph.D. in Demography-Social Work, University of Madras 1990: M.Phil. in Demography, University of Kerala 1987: M.Sc. in Demography, University of Kerala 1985: B.Sc. in Statistics, University of Kerala Employment Details July 2005-present: Member Secretary /Director, Institute of Sustainable Development India August 2001-June 2005: Coordinator, Rural Development Centre-Madras School of Social Work July 1997-July 2001: Independent Consultant June 1990-July 1997: Research Associate, Madras School of Social Work Research undertaken Experience in Social Science Field Research, special interest in Qualitative Research Methods, and Quantified Participatory Assessments; programme evaluation and impact assessment. Undertook 35+ research studies including baseline studies, needs assessments, and impact assessments, of which, has been Team Leader/Principal Investigator for more than 17 researches. The clients include World Bank, Government of Tamil Nadu, and other International organisations Notable Field Research Studies Team Leader

2 i. Community level impact assessment of Change Management Training in TamilNadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation and Water Bodies Restoration and Management (TN- IAMWARM) Project 2015 (funded by World Bank) ii. Audit of Project Performance Data with reference to Change Management Training (TN- IAMWARM) Project 2015 (funded by World Bank) iii. Impact of Schemes on Cultivation &Consumption of Millets 2015 (funded by Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission) iv. Field Research Mid-term evaluation of FINISH (sanitation project) in TamilNadu 2014 (funded by WASTE Netherland) v. Operation and maintenance of drinking water supply system- a study among the Panchayat Presidents in Thiruvallur district 2012 (ISD in-house) Co-Team Leader vi. Baseline study for Tamil Nadu Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project (Extension), TamilNadu Water And Drainage (TWAD) Board, Government of Tamil Nadu 2005 vii. Evaluation of Integrated Sanitation Programme Component of World Bank aided TamilNadu Urban Development Project II 2004 viii. Baseline study for Tamil Nadu Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Project, TWAD Board, Government of Tamil Nadu 2004 Principal Investigator ix. Case study on Kathirampatti Village Panchayat Water Supply as part of Community Water plus Research Consortium with Australian aid 2015 x. Case study on Meghalaya Piped Water Supply Schemes as part of Community Water plus xi. xii. xiii. xiv. Research Consortium with Australian aid 2016 Case study on Gravity based Piped Water Supply Schemes in Sikkim as part of Community Water plus Research Consortium with Australian aid 2016 Case study on Nenmeni Rural Water Supply by Nenmeni Sudhajala Vitharana Society in Kerala as part of Community Water plus Research Consortium with Australian aid 2016 Farmers Profile: benchmark data base for Water and Food Security Programme of ISD, Chennai 2015 Community Development Activities implemented Leading a multidisciplinary team of 20 members to plan and execute rural development projects with a focus on sustainable human resource development and natural resources management. Uniqueness of the community initiatives is its Multidisciplinary and Participatory Approach to Development. Adopting a holistic approach in community development covering health and education for children, skill development and career guidance for youth, Farmers training to increase food production and their income, and other such relevant aspects. However, the Page 2 of 5

3 priority areas are water and food security for all for ever based on Integrated Water Resources Management Principles. Arranged partnership with other professional organisations to improve the service efficiency, fostered a wide network of stakeholders including Government Departments related to water and food, University and Research institutions (Anna University Centre for Water Resources, Rice Research Station of TamilNadu Agricultural University, Regional Station for Forage Production and Demonstration- Government of India and the like); Banks (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development a Government of India undertaking); and other NGOs (National Agro Foundation, Centre of Excellence for Change, etc). Enabling a better Public (Government)-Public (Community) interface for efficient service delivery by the service providers as well as service utilisation by the community, so that the development achieved is sustained by the community with minimum or no dependence on external sources. The geographic coverage is 25 Village Panchayats in Thiruvallur district of TamilNadu State in India. Notable and Recent Community Development Activities: Leading a programme on Water and Food Security(WaFoS) by empowering farmers and so far nearly 1000 farmers are part of the programme implemented through Farmers Collectives Assisted 30 individual woman to improve their income and health by rearing milking cows which has turned in to many milk producers societies in the area at present Farmers Resource Team for Farming, recognising the local wisdom and traditional practices in farming Enabling public (government)-public(community) interaction to better the service provision as well as service delivery in different sectors, prominently in water and food, and education Supported more than 300 children from socially and economically deprived families to complete their schooling; more than 75% went for higher education, resulting in many good teachers, Engineers, Paramedical professionals (Occupational Therapy, Nursing) and other service providers (Photography, and electricians, etc). 6 Sustainable Learning Centres and WaSH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Clubs to work with children to inculcate social and environmental consciousness and help them improve their health and learning ability. Enabled Youth and women to establish their enterprises and micro-economic units. KTG Garments which today employs 75 women in three units, Vinayaka studio, Pollachi Coconunts and Sree Krishna Studio where four persons are employed by each, are few among them. Page 3 of 5

4 Trained 12 Panchayat Councils (Local Self Government) in drinking water management (under Water and Local Governance Programme) Trained 12 Water User Associations (under TamilNadu Farmers Management of Irrigation Systems Act 2000) in Governance issues in Irrigation Water Management Worked with community in 20 village panchayats to mobilise them for Blue-Green Village Movement and evolved volunteer groups (Community Change Management Group) in each village to facilitate public service delivery Demonstrations, in Farmers field, of ground water recharge shaft, micro-irrigation systems, System of Rice Intensification, Fodder cultivation, azola cultivation, and use of machineries like paddy transplanter. Promotion of System of Rice Intensification in paddy cultivation (SRI); converted one village as exclusively SRI Paddy cultivation village - From one farmer in one village, now spread to eight villages Training in prudent farming practices including seed selection, seed treatment, soil testing, pest management, veterinary care and management, animal and crop insurance, post harvesting techniques, warehousing facilities and marketing strategies. More up to date information available on the facebook page of ISDINDIA ( Fellowships/Scholarships received 2007: SIDA Fellowship to International Training Programme in Integrated Water Resources Management sponsored in Sweden and Lao PDR 2007: SIDA Fellowship to participate in World Water Week 2007, Stockholm 2007: Ford Travel Fellowship to participate in the International Training Programme in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in Sweden 2011: Share Consortium fellowship to participate in Global Sanitation Forum, Mumbai, India 2014: Netherland Fellowship for International Training of Trainers in Integrated Water Resources Management at Wageningen University Centre for Development Innovation, Netherland. Professional Appointments and Affiliations Honorary Secretary, Karalapakkam Society for Rural and Sustainable Development Member, Center of Excellence for Change, Chennai Life Member, Guild of Service-Central, Chennai Page 4 of 5

5 Member, TICINO Rural Development Society, Chennai Executive Committee Member, Indian Council of Social Welfare- Tamil Nadu Branch Member, Advisory Committee, Department of Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Youth, Rajiv Gandhi National Institute for Youth Development Member, Consortium Advisory Council (CAC)for National Agriculture Innovation Project (NAIP) on Milk Value Chain, Department of Dairy Science, Madras Veterinary College Personal Information Female, Indian citizen, born on 21 December 1964 Contact: Mobile: Residential Address: Plots S1-S2, Air Force Nagar T S P Camp Road, Veerapuram Chennai , India. Page 5 of 5