Ravi Kuchimanchi: Tapping Non-Resident Indians to Help Poor
Episode Description
In the 2004 film Swades (Homeland), the hero is an expat engineer who leaves a cushy job in the U.S. and moves to a village in India. Moved by the plight of the people, he organizes the residents and helps them hook a makeshift generator to a nearby waterfall, bringing electricity to the village for the first time. The movie was based loosely on the life and experience of Ravi Kuchimanchi, founder of the Association for India's Development (AID), who worked with grass roots organizations to electrify 12 hamlets in Bilgaon, a tribal village. AID has evolved since its 1991 launch into a non-profit organization with more than 50 chapters that work on issues such as renewable energy and other forms of grassroots development. Kuchimanchi spoke with India Knowledge@Wharton during the recent Wharton India Economic Forum in Philadelphia.
Brief Summary
Ravi Kuchimanchi discusses AID's initiatives for rural development and the importance of government accountability in India.
Key points
- The Genesis of Aid. Ravi shares how he founded the Association for India's Development to connect the Indian diaspora with rural India.
- Innovative Solutions for Rural India. Ravi introduces the hay box, a simple yet effective cooking solution for rural households.
- Youth Passion for Change. Ravi discusses the growing interest among youth to address inequality and drive change.
- Importance of RTI Act. Ravi emphasizes the need for accountability in governance through the Right to Information Act.
- Challenges in India. Ravi reflects on the complexities of addressing diverse issues in India.
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Episode highlights
- The Genesis of AidRavi shares how he founded the Association for India's Development to connect the Indian diaspora with rural India.“I thought it would be good to have channels where the Indian community could relate.”1:02Apr 17, 2008
- Innovative Solutions for Rural IndiaRavi introduces the hay box, a simple yet effective cooking solution for rural households.“It’s made in a village and sold in a village.”7:45Apr 17, 2008
- Youth Passion for ChangeRavi discusses the growing interest among youth to address inequality and drive change.“The youth of today wants to play a role in changing that.”10:38Apr 17, 2008
- Importance of RTI ActRavi emphasizes the need for accountability in governance through the Right to Information Act.“It’s very important for voices of the people to be heard by the government.”12:25Apr 17, 2008
- Challenges in IndiaRavi reflects on the complexities of addressing diverse issues in India.“There is no one magic wand that you can wave to solve these things.”15:36Apr 17, 2008
