TARAgram Yatra is our annual flagship event in partnership with national and international thought and action leaders, designed to deliberate on germane issues of social and ecological development with the mission of inspiring sustainability in policy and practice. It brings together practitioners, policymakers and CSR heads from India and other parts of the World. They immerse themselves in social change experiments and interventions at the grassroots and share current thinking on building resilient pathways to sustainable development.
The essence of the journey is in the shared learning generated during the journey to co-create new ideas for sustainable solutions that can neither be innovated nor scaled up as solo endeavours.
Initiated in 2010, this year's Yatra will be around the theme "Investing in the Local and Green" where we journey into the hinterlands of Bundelkhand, Orchha, Jhansi to discover how investments made by organisations are transforming the lives of the rural communities. Under the umbrella theme of “Investing in the Local and Green” , TARAgram Yatra 2024 will be showcasing the support given by corporates, industry and institutions. We will be focusing on Livelihood Security and Inclusive Entrepreneurship; and Climate Resilience and Ecosystem Restoration; and Resource Efficiency & Circular Economy. The Yatra, comprises multiple dialogues, platforms, events and field visits to six villages where organisations have invested in social change sites in Orchha (Bundelkhand), on 13-15 in December 2024.
In this unique journey, yatris discover rural social change. It gives them an opportunity to gain practical insight into rural India and developmental programmes. This further fosters shared learning, feeding into discussions leading to multi-stakeholder collaboration on creation of innovative sustainable solutions.
As a Yatri you will take away knowledge on how to be a social change maker, an understanding of the challenges faced by rural communities and how they are building their resilience against the most difficult odds. You will be able to understand the policy requirements required to build this resilience and the importance to invest in social change.
In its 11th edition, TARAgram Yatra 2024 will host the yatris in Bundelkhand, giving them a flavour of Bundeli music, meals, architecture and royalty. Along with experiencing amazing Bundeli Culture, there would be a lot of learnings coming from the community. Be part of this journey which will help you to contribute to a green and inclusive India.
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Day 3
India is recognised worldwide for its gathering of people in the form of various cultural, traditional and religious Melas. Melas – traditional community gatherings symbolised celebration, sharing and learning of traditional knowledge and values to move towards a better future. With this spirit of harmony and festivity, Melas provide a platform to come together and share experiences for progress and prosperity of communities. This year, TARAgram Mela is taking place in Orchha, Madhya Pradesh from the 13th to the 15th of December. Over these three days of celebration and togetherness, we bring in all the stakeholders—the local community, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), policy-makers, and others—to this extensive gathering converging into a single immersive experience known as the TARAgram Yatra 2024.
This mela aims to showcase the confluence of traditional, local, and Bundeli communal knowledge and the consolidated learnings of the latest advances brought to Bundelkhand by the stakeholders. Bundelkhand has been the karmabhoomi (field of work) of Development Alternatives for over four decades. We have experimented and introduced the Bundeli community to pilot projects and other impactful initiatives. This year, TARAgram Mela in Orchha showcases the impact that Development Alternatives (DA) has had on the Bundelkhand community, highlighting the changes brought about by the SHGs, the farmers, and the models we have created for the community's benefit.
At DA, we have partnered with various stakeholders and the Bundeli community to enhance their quality of life and improve their opportunities for a better and more fulfilling existence, thereby reducing rural migration to urban areas. TARAgram Mela in Orchha offers a unique opportunity for the Yatris to witness the transformative power of rural and urban collaboration, showcasing an incredible demonstration of local voices with global potential.
Come, be a part of this vibrant Mela of the people, for the people and by the people!