IIT Delhi Students Visit Uttarakhand Villages; Aiming to Develop Tech Solutions for Local Challenges

GRIP 2023-24: Students of IIT Delhi visited Uttarakhand villages as part of the Grassroots Innovation Programme (GRIP). In collaboration with SEWA International, they engaged in a hands-on exploration that went beyond the conventional academic realm. Get complete details here 

IIT Delhi GRIP: A total of 13 students from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, with various academic backgrounds, recently visited Uttarakhand as a part of Grassroots Innovation Programme (GRIP) 2023–24. Oganized by IIT Delhi's Academic Outreach office, led them to the rural areas of Tapovan and Urgam in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.

In collaboration with SEWA International, a prominent NGO in Uttarakhand, the students engaged in a hands-on exploration that went beyond the conventional academic realm. The scope of the program was broad, encompassing the study of social and economic dynamics, evaluation of healthcare services, education systems, and direct engagement with local self-help groups (SHGs).

Additionally, the students delved into cultural immersion, ensuring a holistic understanding of the communities they were working with. Meticulous documentation of their experiences added depth to their engagement.

“The GRIP initiative is designed to go beyond mere observation, as it encompasses a social immersion phase. During this phase, student groups spend significant time in communities, including smaller towns and villages. The goal is to deeply understand local needs and challenges, paving the way for the identification of grassroots societal problems. The next step involves devising innovative solutions to address these challenges,” said Prof. Subodh Sharma, Associate Dean, Academic Outreach, IIT Delhi.  

IIT Delhi Students Visit Uttarakhand Villages

Insights from Urgam and Tapovan village immersion revealed several issues related to waste management, traditional arts, climate change, seasonal farming, etc. These insights emphasized the need for targeted interventions. The group, after identifying specific challenges, is now committed to developing technological solutions. 

These include creating a web app/database for health and market information, designing a basket for carrying dry grass, developing a compactor, researching materials for housing and road construction, improving conditions for local handicraft workers, training SHGs, introducing paalki in higher-altitude villages in the Urgam Valley, developing lightweight building materials, and enhancing waste management practices.

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