Srishti Jain explores how something as simple as a research can be a catalyst for change at PUKAR.
A walk in the dingy bylanes of Kherwadi in Bandra East would make a normal Mumbaikar cringe and fret about the lack of space, fresh air, and stench in the area. But here is the place where some adamant youngsters are carrying out a mini revolution and making a difference to the city. The office of PUKAR (Partners for Urban Knowledge Action and Research) is buzzing with activity throughout the year.
These ‘Youth fellows’, as they call themselves are groups of people coming from various strata of the society, working on their own research topics, concerning their own lives.
PUKAR Youth Fellowship is an initiative founded by Arjun Appadurai and funded by the Ratan Tata Trust. “The Youth Fellowship is a unique knowledge initiative which uses research as a tool to empower youth and provide solutions to transform the quality of life in Mumbai. Based on the essay ‘Right to Research’ by Prof. Appadurai, the project is based on the belief that research is a democratic right which is not exclusive to the select few,” says Anita Patil-Deshmukh, Executive Director of PUKAR, which has some groups consisting of totally uneducated youngsters.
But what makes PUKAR believe that such unexposed minds can carry off the weight of doing a research on their own? “It is our belief that every youth is a repository of knowledge, they have the ability to think and identify the problems faced by their community. We, in turn help them reach a solution to these problems by assisting them with their process of research,” says Kapil Chavan, who works as a Coordinator, acting as a guide to the groups and helping them with the essentials of a formal research. “I have been a Youth fellow myself and now I enjoy working with different groups every year, who bring along with them interesting issues. It is my job to be by their side in the year long process, monitoring their progress and helping them to do better.”
Selection for PUKAR Youth fellowship is a systematic process. Applications are accepted by aspiring research groups in the month of January which is followed by interviews. Around 30 groups selected from all parts of the city are trained through monthly workshops and seminars to teach them about basic research techniques like framing a hypothesis, research methods, drafting the report etc. Just like they do in a Ph.D.! But there is just one basic difference. “In PUKAR, we are not dictated to do anything. We’re allowed to work with a topic of our choice. And that ensures that we actually enjoy the research process and it doesn’t feel like a chore. Also, no one’s first or second here. Each group is considered equally important, and the fact that every group has something unique and different to offer is always acknowledged,” says Karunesh Talwar from Mithibai College also a youth fellow whose group conducted a research on objectivity in newspaper journalism.
“Our Youth Fellowship program is not just a meeting ground for determined youngsters, we also engage them in various team-based tasks to acquaint them with their co-researchers. Research thus provides an overall development of the personality of these youngsters. They learn to interact within a group and meet new people,” says Sunil Gangavane, who has been a youth fellow for two years and is now a Coordinator. Sunil recalls a group whose transformation he witnessed in this year’s fellowship program.
This group had members of ‘Prerna’, an NGO which works for the betterment of Red light area workers. They did a research on problems faced by the children living in Kamathipura. Health, sanitation and education were three basic issues they identified during the course of their research. There are a lot of stereotypes which we identify with people living in Red light areas. But this group’s findings actually helped break these prejudices and recognize their problems. Their documentation was amazingly realistic and filled with logical arguments, not something Sunil expected out of them.
When Nagesh learnt from a friend about an NGO that supports research, the first thought that came into his mind was, “Research is done by scientists, how will I do it?” However, Nagesh along with 10 other boys from his orphanage decided to enroll in the fellowship in a bid learn as much as they could outside the four walls of their hostel. “Initially we wanted to do a research on politics, but after discussions with our Coordinator, we came to the conclusion that we should talk about our own problems. So we chose to research on the ‘Career prospects of orphan boys’. We took interviews of our friends who live in hostels in and around Chembur and learnt about their concerns regarding careers, lack of education and restrictions placed on them by their hostel authorities.” Their findings showed that 30 per cent of the orphan boys are successful and are able to secure government jobs while the rest 70 per cent work as clerks due to lack of education. “Kuch paane ke liye kuch khona bhi padta hai,” says a shy but confident Nagesh, who now wants to become a researcher and not only help his community but also the nation.
“A year back, I was a professional Web designer but now I am working as a marketing manager with an NGO (MBA Foundation) that sells products that are made by the differently abled,” says Anand Vaidya who was unaware that his life is going to take a turn when he joined the Youth Fellowship last year. Prior to this, Anand had done voluntary work for an NGO but this was the first time he was doing research. “My aunt’s son is wheelchair bound so I have always wanted to divulge into the problems of the handicapped and find solutions. When I discovered that I had seven differently abled group members, we decided that we would carry out a research on the employment opportunities for the handicapped in shopping malls. Through our research, we discovered that people are open to hiring differently abled people as they are trustworthy, faithful, honest and punctual. A normal employee would resign from a job if he finds better prospects elsewhere however a disabled employee remains faithful once he is trained at a particular company,” says Anand.
PUKAR also assists groups to take forward their primary research and carry out an in-depth analysis of their findings through their Advanced Fellowship Program. “I am looking forward to divulging deeper into my research topic and come out with applicable solutions for the water issues in my area,” says Sachin Kamle whose group from Bainganwadi in Deonar had done a research on water problems in Deonar which is a grave concern for their community. “We learnt that our area was built on sewage land since this was initially a dumping ground. Prior to the ‘92 riots there was no problem in the availability of water but after the riots due to the political upheaval in our area, this has been a continuous issue. This problem is so grave that selling water has become a business. One has to buy a 40 liters can for 15 to 20 Rupees. In order to save their money, most people dig holes of 15-20 ft in their own houses and use the yellow sewage water for their daily activities. This has led to various skin diseases, hair problems, fungal infections etc.” says Sachin who plans to resolve the issue by testing the sewage water and finding alternatives.
While we ponder, discuss, rant and fret about various inane issues and wait for the universe to find us the solutions, these young minds are showing us that ‘You have to be the change, you want to see’!
I am looking forward to divulging deeper into my research topic and come out with applicable solutions for the water issues in my area.
Sachin Kamle
A PUKAR researcher
The Youth Fellowship is a unique knowledge initiative which uses research as a tool to empower youth and provide solutions to transform the quality of life in Mumbai.
Anita Patil-Deshmukh, Executive Director of PUKAR