THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, March 27: The Jharkhand government is set to launch the Grassroot Innovation Internship Scheme, a pioneering initiative that will allow college students to work in villages as part of their academic curriculum.
The programme, inspired by the Gujarat Grassroots Innovation Augmentation Network (GIAN), aims to integrate classroom learning with real-world problem-solving at the community level.
“This internship will provide students with hands-on experience in rural development while helping preserve and document Jharkhand’s rich cultural heritage,” said Rahul Purwar, Principal Secretary of Higher and Technical Education, while speaking at an international seminar on ‘Empowering global tribes through business intelligence’ organised by Santosh College of Teachers’ Training and Education, Ranchi.
Interns to Study Traditional Knowledge and Rural Challenges
Under the scheme, students will conduct field research on Jharkhand’s traditional medicine, food, art, music, and cultural heritage. They will also address social, environmental, technological, and health-related challenges in rural areas.
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The program follows the model of GIAN, a Gujarat-based organization that promotes grassroots innovation by connecting students with local communities. Similar initiatives in Gujarat have led to the documentation of indigenous knowledge and the development of low-cost technological solutions for rural problems.
“By interacting with villagers, students will learn techniques to maximize productivity with minimal resources. This will not only enhance their research skills but also contribute to community-driven development,” Purwar added.
Internship Details: Duration, Stipend, and Selection Process
The internship will run for eight weeks, during the summer vacation, and will be open to students from both government and private universities, including their affiliated and constituent colleges.
- Intern stipend: ₹10,000 per student, disbursed in two installments of ₹5,000
- Trainer stipend: ₹20,000 per mentor, also paid in two installments
- Fieldwork: A mandatory six-week rural immersion
Rural Development Through Experiential Learning
The internship is designed to encourage creative thinking and innovation to solve real-world challenges in rural communities.
“This initiative will help bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical application,” said Purwar. “Students interested in rural development, social innovation, and community problem-solving will greatly benefit from this program.”
With the Grassroot Innovation Internship Scheme, Jharkhand aims to empower students while fostering sustainable rural development—a step toward a more inclusive and practical education system.
During the ceremony, a souvenir, a tribal folk song compilation booklet, and the quarterly magazine ‘Gyan Piyush’ were released by the esteemed guests.
Earlier, the seminar opened with an introduction and welcome address by Dr. Aditi, Academic Director of the institute. The keynote address was delivered by Rakesh Verma from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore.
Technical Sessions and Research Presentations
The seminar featured three technical sessions, where experts presented their insights on the role of business intelligence in tribal empowerment.
Several dignitaries and academicians were present at the occasion, including Dr. Rashmi, founder director of the Institute, Dr. D.K. Saxena, Advocate Richa Sanchita, and Dr. Shubhra Thakur, among others.
