Rural Maharashtra

Vikesh Suresh Bhagat, Niti Aayog’s District Magistrate Fellow in Nandurbar district of Maharashtra is an example of a passionate social worker. A 24-year-old Vikesh mainly focuses working on rural development and social issues.

He completed his post-graduate diploma degree in Sustainable Rural Reconstruction (PGD-SRR) in Gandhi Research Foundation, Jalgoan.

Vikesh says, “Currently I am working as a fellow under District Magistrate Fellowship (DMF) in Nandurbar. I have observed and faced real-life experiences of people across the state. These experiences gave me exposure to many social realities, understanding problems of communities, governance issues.”

Hailing from a family of farmers, Vikesh was born and raised in village Chakwa, in Washim. While he completed his primary education in his own village, he traveled to adjoining villages to complete his schooling till class 10. Due to a financial crisis, to complete his schooling, he had to take the help of sponsorship from Light of Life Trust. For higher secondary, he traveled to his taluka place. Besides working in a medical shop, he also helped his father on their farms in order to contribute to the family income.

Vikesh says, “My family has always supported my education. My parents are uneducated. This is the main reason why they want to see me as a well-educated person. While they aren’t able to explain to others about what work I am doing, but they are proud that I am standing on my own feet. I am a first-graduate in BSW from my village.”

He further says, “As part of fieldwork during my undergraduate studies, I worked with the Childline Helpline Project, Resource Cell for Juvenile Justice Project (RCJJ), and Paani Foundation. I have participated in the National Achievement Survey (NAS) and Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) survey in Yavatmal.”

He adds, “I also participated in relief camps set up during the floods in Kerala, Sangli, and Kolhapur, as a volunteer. I provided support in the relief & rehabilitation of flood-affected people. I aspire to learn about the issues of people, connect them with the resources available, build their capacities to manage the resources, and sustain the resources for every living being on the planet."

His sister inspired him to pursue BSW. While Vikesh felt lost with the new academic stream, he gradually settled and enjoyed the course. “I wanted to work in the social sector but I was clueless on what education I should pursue to work in this field. I was lucky to get a scholarship in order to pay my college fees. With an aim to solve financial issues related to other expenses and stay, I took a job in the food catering business during my under-graduation days. While in the hostel, most of my friends come from a similar background, I encouraged them too to work and be financially independent.”

While in his final year, Eklavya’s founder Raju Kendre, who was an Assistant Professor in his college, initiated guidance for further studies. Aimed at information dissemination and skill-building amongst students, Eklavya conducted sessions after college hours.

Besides peer-group learning, Vikesh also participated in a residential workshop held by Eklavya in Beed. Vikesh feels the sessions on soft skills helped him to overcome his fears and inhibitions related to the English language.

Unable to get through a good college in his first attempt, he later took admission in a diploma course in Sustainable Rural Development. A six-month internship under the programme at village Borkheda gave him the opportunity to understand ground realities and apply his theoretical knowledge to the field.

He adds, “I introduced women self-help groups (SHGs) to several sustainable livelihood options. These included mushroom farming, cloth bag making, papad & chikki making.”

Recently he gave entrance exams for MA programmes. Vikesh’s passion in the area of rural development is a constant boost for him to strive harder. Not to undermine his academic achievements, his work at the grassroots level has enabled him to acquire special skills and knowledge.

He aims to pursue MA (Natural Resource) further.

Expressing himself, he says, “The role of natural resources on earth is really essential. With the growing population, the demand for resources is also increasing. In order to fulfill the demand, the natural resources are over exploited or over utilized by those who have the advantage. While working as a fellow in Nandurbar, I realized that the tribal community has a very close relationship with natural resources. They manage the resource judiciously and with every member’s interest and active involvement. By doing so, they secure their livelihoods.”