IGNITE THE RURAL RENAISSANCE
A rural renaissance could blossom with YOUR ideas, experience, passion and drive.
Hearing from those driving innovations and setting inclusive industry standards.
Connecting minds to build a brighter future.
Igniting creativity and sparking groundbreaking solutions.
Collaborating for success and creating new opportunities.
The India Rural Colloquy is a series of conversations on a myriad of topics vital to rural development – from climate resilience, health and nutrition, youth employment and microenterprises, farm prosperity, gender inclusivity and greater local governance. There will be panel discussions and debates, as well as one-on-one fireside chats and closed-door round-tables – all that aim to bring about real, actionable ideas and solutions to help rural India flourish.
We held our first colloquy in 2021, which was virtual due to the pandemic, then we grew it in 2022 and had a stimulating 2023, which was widely covered in the national and regional media. This 4th Edition aims to be bigger, more diverse and result in even greater impact.
Indira Gandhi Pratisthan, Lucknow, UP
The Indian Rural Colloquy is your chance to hear what the people at the sharp-end of rural development have to say – those who aspire for more and those who are on the ground helping make this happen.
Let’s continue the conversation that began in our very first colloquy and pledge to not just envision but actively build a better tomorrow for rural India. We can’t wait to welcome you to a week of inspiring actions and enduring commitments.
“The global landscape is shifting towards valuing competency. School and college dropouts are gaining international recognition for their entrepreneurial and innovative contributions. Degrees and competence stand as distinct entities. This realisation has fuelled the elevation of vocational education's significance. Our educational framework is actively striving to ensure that fundamental skills and knowledge are cultivated within the initial 15 years of learning."
"Collaborations, particularly partnerships with well-established civil society networks, emerge as highly efficient vehicles for deploying social capital. These programs exhibit remarkable efficacy, highlighting the enhanced role of CSR funds in driving positive change."
“It's time to lend an ear to women's voices. We often prioritise power and leaders who steer the economy, side lining those who drive development at the grassroots level. Can a society truly thrive without its women? To progress globally, we must shift our focus from mere numbers to genuinely listening to the people.”
“What will it take to bring more resources & support to where all the migration is happening in India? The rural youth say the opportunities are in cities because of low incomes. How do we shift this narrative?”
“The declining participation of Indian women in the labour force, especially in rural areas, demands urgent attention. MNREGA & NRLM shine as exemplary programs on the global stage, paving the way towards empowerment and inclusivity."
“As far as India is concerned, the lack of female labor force participation is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. We need to think of processes that will result in a shift in the way women participate in the Indian labor force in order to achieve the goals of a young and prosperous India.”
"Human capital does matter. Hope for reducing multi-dimensional poverty lies in women's collectives, decentralised institutions and improved digital public infrastructure."
“This decade will see cars that fly themselves, drones will deliver everything, AI doctors will help the poorest of the poor in India. The cure for cancer will come from India. And this is just the beginning."
"There are lakhs of youths in each of rural India's districts that need to be skilled. The scale of skilling facilities available is not commensurate with the population of rural youth that need to be involved in the labour force."
“We need to initiate processes to bring people to the centre of development, as opposed to the traditional notion that planning has to be done from the centre due to the belief people don't have the wherewithal, necessitating a few experts to come up with a plan.”
“Across government or corporate sectors, across rural and urban India, accountability has to be the building blocks for bringing forth a rural transformation."
