MBA pupils learn rural dynamics from Hazare

Updated on: Monday, October 24, 2011

Students of Durgadevi Saraf Institute of Management Studies, Malad, got a chance to learn lessons on rural dynamics from activist Anna Hazare, known for his pioneering contribution in rural development. As part of their project tour, 120 students visited Ralegan Siddhi, Hazare’s village, along with three other places to study the changing rural market.

The trip was divided in three parts covering different topics in marketing. Under the main theme of ‘Rural Immersion’, the students went to Gowe, Vangal, Baramati and Ralegan Siddhi, learning how the changes need to be incorporated in managerial skills.

Ralegan Siddhi was the model village for rural development. “The average income of a family there is Rs 30,000, which is not seen anywhere else. The village is in a plateau region and still it survived the worst drought year in the country in 1979 with just six inches of rainfall. It converted from a poverty stricken village to one of the richest in the country, a perfect model to study,” said institute director, Rakesh Singh.

Dattatreya Kale, a student, said, “The village development model teaches us how to manage scarce resources for optimum benefits. The meeting with Anna was enriching. He said MBAs have a greater challenge as they are responsible for integrating rural and urban India.”

“In Vangal, we saw how farmers are earning more due to mono-cropping. We also saw rural youth are not interested in farming and are content with a salesman’s job. In Baramati, we saw that if agriculture if diversified into areas like agri-tourism, the rural economy could be more vibrant,” said Singh.

MBA pupils learn rural dynamics from Hazare

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