On your inspiration
I studied engineering, but was convincedI was not meant for it. Duringmy stint with Ford Foundation, Iworked with a doctor couple fromJohns Hopkins University, USA. Theywere training rural women inMaharashtra as community healthworkers. I realized that is exactly whatI wanted to do.
On PRADAN
I conceived of the organization, butVijay Mahajan, the co-founder ofPRADAN, was instrumental in giving itshape. PRADAN works in seven states,mostly in tribal areas. The focus is onenhancing means of income throughimproving agriculture and irrigation,and by promoting home-based industrylike poultry.
On your favourite project
PRADAN has done path-breaking workin silk farming in tussar-producingareas. Tribals in Jharkhand and Biharwere trained to identify disease-freeeggs using a simple microscope andtaught to increase productivitythrough new silkworm rearingtechniques. The weavers were broughttogether to ensure they get betterprice from traders. Many are returningto sericulture as tussar has becomemore remunerative.