Continuing the Hapur Tales: Empowering Women and Connecting Villages

By prioritizing the humanization of technology to align with people's needs, we can amplify its social impact exponentially.

The experience and realizations I had in Lalpur and Shyampur had a profound impact on me. They opened my eyes to the challenges faced by the women groups and the immense potential hidden within these villages. Their stories stayed with me long after I left, constantly occupying my thoughts and sparking a deep contemplation.

I couldn't help but wonder, if a mere two-minute video clip between two villages could have such a transformative effect on people's mindset, what would happen if we could connect these villages through the power of the internet and video conferencing? The desire to explore this possibility grew stronger within me, fueled by the women in Shyampur who expressed their eagerness to learn internet literacy.

As I returned home after my journey to the villages, the month of September drawing to a close, I found myself continuously reflecting on these thoughts. They consumed my mind, capturing my heart with their potential to create meaningful change. I knew I had to share this vision with others who could help turn it into a reality.

With great enthusiasm, I reached out to people from NABARD, the local village NGO, and the leaders of the Self-Help Group (SHG). Their response was overwhelming. They, too, shared my excitement and recognized the transformative impact that connecting these villages could have on their communities.

But as with any journey, challenges awaited us. The first hurdle we faced was the limited connectivity available in these remote areas. It was the year 2012, and 2G networks were the maximum we could hope for in these regions. The idea of video conferencing in such circumstances seemed like a distant dream. Yet, I refused to let this deter me from pursuing our vision.

With a glimmer of hope, I made my way to the BSNL office at the district headquarters, eager to explore any potential solutions for internet connectivity in remote areas. As I engaged in discussions with the officials, an exciting revelation emerged – BSNL was planning to test a new solution called WIMAX. It was designed precisely for the purpose of providing internet access in hard-to-reach areas. The decision, however, lay in the hands of higher-ups in BSNL. This news gave me renewed optimism, and I seized the opportunity to gather all the necessary details. With the assistance of Mr. Arbind Mukerjee, the DDM NABARD, I was able to navigate the bureaucratic process and secure the approval for WIMAX connection in Shyampur and Lalpur. The first challenge had been resolved.

As the pieces of the puzzle started to come together, another hurdle loomed before us – the lack of funds. The estimated cost for setting up the required infrastructure amounted to approximately 1.4 lakhs. While I could contribute 40K from my own resources, it was clear that additional support was needed. Stepping out of my comfort zone, I approached various individuals and organizations, including Intel, NABARD, local NGOs, and SHG groups, to seek their assistance. To my surprise and immense gratitude, almost everyone readily agreed to pitch in, whether on a personal level or through their respective organizations. The collective support and belief in our vision helped us raise the necessary funds in no time. The second challenge had been overcome, paving the way for progress.

With the inauguration date of the project set for the 5th of November 2012, and the beginning of the second week of October fast approaching, the pressure was mounting. I kept my fingers crossed, convincing myself that we would be able to accomplish everything in time. The countdown began, and I remained determined to turn our vision into a reality.

Yet, a crucial question lingered in my mind – how could we ensure that the systems we set up in the villages would be positioned and utilized in a way that primarily benefits the women?

As I delved deeper into the possibilities, I couldn't ignore the fact that similar setups had been attempted in the past in various villages. I had heard of Dr. Sugata Mitra's "hole in the wall" experiment and other initiatives. However, most of these endeavors had focused on the curious and technologically inclined, primarily benefiting the youth. Our goal was different. We wanted to ensure that the women in the villages could easily navigate and utilize these systems. Many of them were not even literate, so the challenge was to create something that could be accessed and utilized by all.

This challenge occupied my thoughts, and I searched for inspiration and solutions everywhere I could. It was during one of these contemplative moments at a friend's home, where I observed his one-year-old child effortlessly engaging with a tablet. With limited knowledge of language and mobility, the child was intuitively interacting with the device, captivated by the vibrant colors and pressing the buttons to unlock new experiences.

In that moment, a powerful idea struck me – if a one-year-old child, who is still learning to speak and walk, can effortlessly use a tablet, why can't we design something that can be accessible and usable by individuals who are not technologically aware or literate? It was a shift in perspective, realizing that it was not the women who needed to be trained to use technology, but rather the technology itself that needed to be humanized to cater to the needs of everyone.

With this newfound insight, I envisioned a system that employed touch screen technology, simplifying the user interface and making it intuitive for anyone to navigate, just like a one-year-old using a tablet. To further enhance the user experience, we decided to remove the complexities of a mouse and keyboard. Our efforts were rewarded when we were fortunate enough to procure Linux-based touch screen all-in-one systems from HP that also aligned with our budgetary constraints. It felt as if everything was falling into place, almost like a surreal movie unfolding before my eyes.

With the touch screen systems and WIMAX internet connectivity falling into place, it seemed like our vision was taking shape. However, there was still a missing piece to the puzzle. We realized that despite the advancements, the women in the villages might struggle to relate to the front end of the technology we were introducing.

To address this concern, I reached out to some of my IT friends, seeking their expertise in creating a customized operating system. Drawing inspiration from a kiosk interface, we designed a simplified Linux-based system with only a few icons on the screen. Each icon was thoughtfully customized to be easily recognized and used by people. For example, we used a TV icon for YouTube and a telephone icon for Skype. This personalized interface would bridge the gap between technology and the villagers, making it more accessible and relatable.

As the inaugural date drew near, we had only one more week left to complete the remaining tasks. One of the crucial tasks was to package all the components into a common structural stand, giving it a distinct identity. Ideas began pouring in from our team and collaborators. Some suggested the design of a postbox, while others proposed a phone booth. Considering the villagers' familiarity with telephone booths, we decided to proceed with that design, even though I had reservations. With limited time remaining, we communicated the design to the fabricator and requested them to create the stands. They assured us that they would deliver before the due date.

As the calendar flipped to November 1st, the project and the design of the kiosk stand consumed my thoughts. I couldn't help but wonder if all our efforts would be accepted in the village or if our journey would go in vain. With these thoughts swirling in my mind, I eventually succumbed to sleep.

Suddenly, around 3 am, I woke up with a surge of excitement. It's difficult to put into words, but in a moment of clarity, I saw a vivid image in my dream—a tree resembling a wish tree, with each branch representing a specific area or need of the village. And at the center of this tree, there it was—the touch screen system. It felt like the perfect embodiment of our mission. Trees hold profound significance in villages, with people even offering prayers to them. Inspired by this vision, I decided to create a Technology Kalpvriksha—a tree of possibilities that would address the challenges faced by the villagers.

Filled with enthusiasm, I quickly sketched a rough picture of the tree I had seen in my dream. It was 5 am, and sleep eluded me as excitement coursed through my veins. With anticipation mounting, I waited until 7 am before heading to the fabricator's home, located on the other end of Delhi. I arrived at their doorstep, surprising them as they had two more days before the promised delivery of the stand.

Undeterred, I passionately explained the structure and significance of the tree I had envisioned. I convinced the fabricator to embrace this new design, acknowledging that it would require additional time and incur extra costs. Despite the tight deadline, the fabricator agreed to take on the challenge, promising to deliver the stands by the evening of November 4th. The inauguration was scheduled for the following day, November 5th. It was a close call, but the risk was undoubtedly worth it to bring our dream to life.

The following two days flew by in a blur of activity. Invitations were sent out, and we diligently tested the internet connectivity. After finalizing the location for installation, we eagerly awaited the arrival of the stands, as promised by the fabricator. True to their word, the stands were delivered on time, and we wasted no time in transporting them to the village overnight.

With the help of the local team, we worked tirelessly to install all the components. As I witnessed everything coming together, I couldn't believe my eyes. The setup was remarkably similar to the design I had seen in my dream. A wave of happiness washed over me, knowing that our Technology Kalpvriksha had materialized. We spent the night in the village, filled with anticipation for the grand inauguration the next day.

However, the next morning brought a fresh challenge. The WIMAX connection inexplicably stopped working. With the event scheduled to commence in just two hours, we frantically reached out to the BSNL staff for assistance. They suggested using a BSNL SIM card in a dongle as a temporary solution to achieve a decent internet speed for video conferencing. We gave it a try, but the speed was far from optimal for seamless video conferencing.

Amidst our struggles, a local boy shared an idea that sparked hope. He proposed taking the dongle to a higher location, as signals often improved on terraces compared to ground level. Intrigued, we decided to give it a shot, despite the challenge of finding a suitable height. The kiosk stand was situated in an open area under a tree, quite far from any elevated platform.

In our desperate pursuit of a stable connection, Sanatan, one of the original members of our team and a dedicated colleague, volunteered to climb the tree and extend the height of the dongle. Although it was a risky endeavor, our determination to make things work outweighed the concerns for safety. Sanatan bravely stayed on the tree, constantly adjusting the position of the dongle to maintain a stable connection. He remained perched there for the entire duration of the event, which spanned approximately four hours. Sanatan's unwavering commitment exemplified his dedication to our cause. To this day, he continues to work with CDF and remains an invaluable member of our team.

We successfully tested the video conferencing connection, confirming that it was functioning well. Now came the true test—the villagers started gathering at the venue for the much-anticipated inauguration. We had also extended invitations to district officials and other prominent guests, adding to the excitement in the air.

The Technology Kalpvriskha Kiosk stood tall, resembling a tree nestled beneath an actual tree. The event commenced with the women's group tying threads around the tree-shaped kiosk, performing a pooja just as they would to any sacred tree. This symbolic gesture signaled the acceptance of our creation within the village's ecosystem. The atmosphere was filled with joy, as everyone observed the kiosk with curiosity and high expectations, eager to witness the impact it would have on their lives.

We introduced the Technology Kalpvriksha to everyone present, drawing parallels to the Kalpavriksha, or wish tree, that fulfills all your needs. We emphasized that this Technology Kalpvriksha can provide you with all the information you require. The concept resonated easily with the people, and they grasped its purpose and potential.

The time had come for our first connection, and we had planned it with Mr. Manav Subodh from Intel, who had accompanied me to the village a couple of months prior. At that moment, he was in the United States, and we thought it would be fitting to establish our inaugural connection with him, as the people would remember him.

We initiated the video call with Manav through Skype. For him, it was the middle of the night, but he eagerly awaited our call as I had informed him earlier. Upon recognizing him, a few women expressed their excitement about connecting with someone so far away. They found it hard to believe that he was in the United States at that very moment. To convince them, Manav went out to his balcony, showing them the darkness of the night. He even displayed his wall clock to demonstrate the time difference. Finally, the villagers accepted the reality of his distant location.

After that initial connection, we proceeded to establish multiple connections with various individuals, including a health practitioner in the district, an agricultural scientist, a banker in the city, a professor from a university, and many more. The idea was to showcase the possibilities that the kiosk offered to the people.

The day unfolded smoothly, and the event received coverage from several local newspapers. For the first time, a two-way communication channel had been established between the stakeholders in the village and the city. Previously, communication had always been one-way, with people from the cities speaking and those in the villages listening, whether through newspapers, radio, or television.

Soon, the Kalpvriksha became the talk of the town, and the women, in particular, started using it extensively. To ensure its proper management, we entrusted the kiosk to the SHG Group.

As we moved forward, the Technology Kalpvrisha, which was later coined as Apna Tech Tree (ATT), continued to make a significant impact on people's lives. In upcoming articles, I will delve into important interventions, including the implementation of the Trim down PURA model by Dr. Abdul Kalam, which was facilitated through ATT.

After the eventful day drew to a close, I found solace in the veranda of a village house, sitting on a jute mat, savoring a cup of tea in a kulhad (earthen cup), accompanied by some freshly prepared vegetable pakodas made by the lady of the house. As I gazed at the setting sun, I contemplated whether this marked the end of one journey or the beginning of a new one.

I express my gratitude for your interest and support. Your feedback and comments are highly appreciated, as they enable me to refine and improve our endeavors.

Regards

Dr Amit Tuteja

Key Lessons Learned:

My journey through the heartlands of Shyampur and Lalpur has gifted me with profound insights that continue to shape my path as a dedicated changemaker. Allow me to share three pivotal lessons that have resonated deep within me and hold the power to illuminate the way for fellow changemakers on their transformative quests:

1. Nurturing Human Connections: Amidst the convergence of technology and community empowerment, I discovered a profound truth—the essence of genuine change lies in the bonds we forge with one another. While technology may serve as a catalyst, it is the authentic human connections we cultivate that foster empowerment and create lasting impact.

2. Collaboration as the Key: The journey to empower the remarkable women of Shyampur has taught me the irrefutable value of collaboration. True empowerment blooms not through imposition, but through collaborative efforts that honor the voices and aspirations of the community. By walking hand in hand, listening attentively, and co-creating sustainable solutions, we unlock the collective potential of communities.

3. Embracing the Growth Mindset: In the tapestry of my experiences in these villages, one thread stands out resolutely—the power of embracing a growth mindset. Each interaction, challenge, and triumph has become a stepping stone for personal and professional growth. By remaining steadfast in our pursuit of knowledge, embracing new perspectives, and adapting our strategies, we unleash our true potential as changemakers.

These invaluable lessons, nurtured amidst the rich tapestry of Shyampur and Lalpur, resonate with the very essence of my being as I strive to foster positive change. Integrating these principles into our endeavors, we embark on a transformative journey, fuelled by the determination to empower, connect, and create a world where every individual thrives.