Publications
Recent Publications
E-book, "Multidisciplinary Approaches to Field Learning" based on the Conference organized by the Centre on June 10-11, 2024
The book contains 13 articles by researchers coming from different disciplines. You find articles dealing with gender studies, urban studies, development studies, agriculture economics, design and such - all using the research methodology of field investigations.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382254940_Multidisciplinary_Approaches_To_Field_Learning;
A Community Model for Rejuvenating a Pond
Many cities of India are predicted to start going dry within just 10 years. One way to postpone this predicament is to have ponds that would not only harvest the rainwater but would recharge the ground water too. Increase in biodiversity is an added advantage.
India had many ponds historically, but many are lost now because of landfill or neglect. This article shows how the existing degraded ponds can be regenerated by a community by taking up the case study of a village in Gujarat.
Need for Physiotherapy in Rural Areas
There are no physiotherapy services available in the villages of India. And there is no awareness among the villagers also. This paper surveys the literature and shows that such a situation prevails in many parts of the world. This is not desirable, as the worth of physiotherapy is already medically proved. We surveyed some villagers in Telangana and Guajarat to understand what happens to the patients in villages when there is no awareness or usage.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378526123_NEED_FOR_PHYSIOTHERAPY_IN_RURAL_AREAS;
Comparison of Miyawaki Afforestation Method with Alternate Afforestation models of Peepalbaba and Auroville
Miyawaki forests grow fast. In three years, you get a fully grown, maintenance free forest. But it costs a lot to make a Miyawaki forest. This article explores other alernative methods and finds that you can grow good forests at a cheaper rate.
Processes and Challenges to make a 100% Solar Powered Village
India is planning to generate 50% of its power needs from clean energy, with solar power leading the drive. We visited the first 100% round the clock solar powered village of India, Modhera in Gujarat, to understand how to make this possible and what will be the challenges.
https://www.journalcra.com/article/processes-and-challenges-make-100-solar-powered-village;
A version of it is also avaialble on: https://thesecretariat.in/article/modhera-in-gujarat-shows-how-to-harness-solar-energy-at-scale-it-also-spotlights-the-challenges;
Analysis of the Miyawaki Afforestation Technique
Based on our interview with Mr R K Nair (the Green Man of India) and the literature review, this article gives an overview of the Miyawaki afforestation technique by describing its procedure, its benefits and also its limitations.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/375201148_ANALYSIS_OF_THE_MIYAWAKI_AFFORESTATION_TECHNIQUE
Sikkim: Making of the first 100% organic state of the world
Read about the whole process that Sikkim went through to become 100% organic. Also understand the sustainability of its efforts in remaining 100% organic and the replicability of its efforts. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374157521_Sikkim_Making_of_the_First_100_Organic_State_of_the_World
Lessons not learnt: Onion Prices
This paper looks at the phenomenon of sharp spikes in onion prices almost every alternate year and the knee jerk reaction of the government to ban the onion exports. The paper argues that since India usually has more supply of onions than demand, a more systematic approach needs to be designed to make the maximum utilization of India's comparative advantage. Bans on exports only hurt.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374149286_Lessons_not_Learnt_Onion_Price
Water Management: Saving the Future with Lessons Learnt
Taking the primary data of 272 households from three small cities of India - Dhanbad, Ranchi and Purulia, this paper shows that majority of the poor do not get access to even minimum decent water supply of 70 lpcd. Yet, the withdrawal rate from the natural systems is higher than the recharge rate. The way forward is sought by looking at the successful models tried out by various organizations like Tarun Bharat Sangh and Manavlok. The paper argues that the future India will have to learn from these experiments as well as from its own traditional water supply systems to meet the water demand. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/369092099_Water_Management_Saving_the_Future_with_Lessons_Learnt
Have you ever wondered how some nations are so developed? What did they do to reach there? This book is an easy, story like narration of development paths followed by 11 successful nations of the world. It throws light on the crucial factors that enabled them to reach these heights.
Tales of Development by Alka Parikh
Attaining Food Security: Experiments of Ten Asian Nations by Alka Parikh
This book gives a detailed account of the steps that governments of different nations have taken to tackle hunger.
We shall overcome: Editor: Alka Parikh
This book is a collection of inspiring stories of the villagers who stood up against all odds to fight for survival and also how their lives were touched by an NGO's (Utthan) efforts. You will meet the real India in these micro stories.
Publications based on field learning
Alka Parikh. Importance of Technology Dissemination in Achieving Food Security.
This presentation talks about two efforts of the NGO Utthan that made the villagers overcome poverty: 1. Wadi project, invented by BAIF and funded by NABARD, implemented with social interventions by Utthan and 2. Use of quality maize seeds to increase the production of a subsistence crop.
Alka Parikh and Ashoka Bindra. Micro Health Insurance: Relevance of Community Managed Models.
An innovation that was brought into the field of micro health insurance. Mutuals model. The community collects the premium and itself settles the claims without brining in any commercial insurance company into picture. This paper shows how it worked and how it is a far superior model to all the others existing in the sector.
Alka Parikh and Niru Acharya, “Education for all in the real sense: A case for remedial classes”.
This paper talks about the remedial classses that Pratham, a leading NGO working in the field of primary education, conducts. It shows the positive impact that are generated on the school child as she starts reading, writing and understanding.
Raj Mahala, Yashang Patel, Alka Parikh, “Changing Profile of the South Gujarat Tribal Villages”, International Journal of Development Research, Vol. 12, Issue 05, pp. 55986-55989, May, 2022 www.researchgate.net/publication/360910563_CHANGING_PROFILE_OF_THE_SOUTH_GUJARAT_TRIBAL_VILLAGES
Alka Parikh, “Health Care Services seen through Villagers’ Lenses”, Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development, Volume No. 13 issue no. 2 April-June 2022. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359788879_Healthcare_Service_Provision_Seen_through_Villager's_Lenses_Indian_Journal_of_Public_Health_Research_and_Development_April-June_2022_Vol_13_No_2_pp_1-12
Aarushi Sanghani, Nirvisha Mankad, Alka Parikh, "Sustainability of Agriculture: Case Study of Cotton and Wheat in Gujarat". Paper presented in Agriculture Economics Research Association's 26th Annual Conference on ‘Agriculture and Sustainable Development Goals’ at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, November 15-17, 2018. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333867353_Sustainability_of_Agriculture_Case_Study_of_Cotton_and_Wheat_in_Gujarat_Paper_presented_in_Agriculture_Economics_Research_Association's_26th_Annual_Conference_on_'Agriculture_and_Sustainable_Developme
Alka Parikh, Sarthi Acharya and Maitreyi Krishnaraj, “Impact of Maharashtra’s Agricultural Policies on Women Farmers: A Gender Budgeting Analysis”, Discussion Paper Series – 8, Human Development Resource Centre, UNDP, India, April, 2005.
Alka Parikh, Sarthi Acharya and Maitreyi Krishnaraj, “Gender Budgeting Analysis: A study in Maharashtra’s Agriculture”, Economic and Political Weekly, Vol XXXIX No 44, October 30, 2004.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262124399_Gender_Budgeting_Analysis_A_study_in_Maharashtra's_Agriculture_Economic_and_Political_Weekly_Vol_XXXIX_No_44_October_30_2004
Alka Parikh and Pralhad Burli, “Livelihood Patterns and Food Security Situations: Some case studies from Maharashtra” in Gender, Food Security and Rural Livelihoods, edited by Maithreyi Krishnaraj, Stree, Imprint Popular Prakashan, 2007. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334130410_Livelihood_Patterns_and_Food_Security_Situations_Some_case_studies_from_Maharashtra_in_Gender_Food_Security_and_Rural_Livelihoods_edited_by_Maithreyi_Krishnaraj_Stree_Imprint_Popular_Prakashan_2007
Alka Parikh, Sharachchandra Lele and A. S. Srinidhi, “Influence of forest rights regimes on sustainability and returns from NTFP harvest”,
Paper presented at National Workshop on JFM (Joint Forest Management), Organised by Viksat, SPWD, AKF(I) and Gujarat Forest Department, Feb. 24-26, 1999.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235356276_Influence_of_Forest_Rights_Regimes_on_Sustainability_and_Returns_from_NTFP_Harvest_The_case_of_Garcinia_gummi-gutta_in_the_Western_Ghats_of_India
Mudra Desai, Chhavi Pareek, Geet Patel, Smeet Jani, Ketul Solanki and Alka Parikh (2019), “Success Story of a Watershed”,
International Journal of Economics and Research, Vol 10, Issue 4, 29-37.
https://www.ijeronline.com/Vol10issue4.php
Alka Parikh, “Water Scarcity Patterns and Dilemmas of Water Distribution”
in Dynamics of Cities and Regions, Edited by Sudha Srivasta, Sheth Publishers Pvt Ltd., 2013
Alka Parikh, “Mumbai Train Blasts: Example of Spontaneous Community Response”,
a paper presented at International Conference on Role of Civil Society in Disaster Management, Organized by Samutthan Foundation with support of Japan Foundation, Delhi January 17-18, 2014
Alka Parikh, “Disaster Response after 7/11 Mumbai blasts: A narrative”,
presentation made at the International Conference on Emergency Medicine, Organized by Society for Emergency Medicine in India and Amercan Academy for Emergency Medicine in India, Delhi, November 17-19, 2006.
Srilatha Juvva and Alka Parikh, “From nowhere to care: experiences from cyclone interventions in Orissa”,
Indian Journal of Social work, Vol 63, Issue 2, April 2002.