#DoCCDiaries: A journey of self-discovery

When Pratiik Parmar and I (Surya Ramesh) undertook my DoCC internship with the Makkal Villipunarvu Kalvi Sangam (MVKS), it was expected that it would be meaningful yet challenging. Being assigned to deal with socio-economic challenges meted out to Irular women of Tamil Nadu proved to be an eye-opener in awareness about the reality of marginalised communities in India. The first day set the tone. The state bus ride was long, packed, and bumpy, but for the women, this was routine. We walked miles under the sun, past dry fields, broken houses, and stagnant water puddles that many families depended on. This wasn’t just about financial independence it was about basic survival.

Time spent in these villages broke many myths I had in my head regarding poverty and development. Prior to this, I had always believed that if you give people skills and opportunities, they would, by themselves, better their lives. But that is not as simple as that. One of the core principles of Design Thinking is empathy—deeply understanding the needs and challenges of the people for whom we are designing solutions. Before this field experience, I assumed that lack of income was the primary issue for the women in these villages. However, as I engaged with them, I realised the problem was multi-dimensional, extending beyond just financial constraints.

One of the most striking realisations is that we need to rethink the concept of ‘teaching’. Instead of taking them to the training centres, we needed to take the solution to them. We taught them how to use smartphones for online marketing and helped them acquire multiple skills: tailoring, herbal powder making, and basic computer skills so that they could diversify their income. Most did not know they were eligible for sewing machines, loans, or scholarships.

One of the proudest moments was when we were helping a few women make their resumes and sending them to companies. Some of them had MSc and BSc Chemistry degrees and were still doing daily labour. That really struck me.

Beyond the work: The human connection

The best part of this journey was building human connections. The women welcomed me like family. They insisted I eat before I left, even if they had little to share. They dropped me at bus stops, walked me through dark roads, and always made sure I was safe. One evening, after a long discussion about financial planning, an older woman told me, “We are grateful you came. Not because you gave answers, but because you listened.” This experience reveals India’s two conflicting realities. One, urban centres are rapidly witnessing growth in terms of technology and the economy. And on the other hand, the rural belts remain in the poverty trap and iniquitous trap.

I took for granted the ability to travel freely, access digital platforms, and make independent financial decisions. But for the women I met, these were barriers they had to fight against every day. Yet, despite these struggles, their hope was unwavering.

This was not just a project. It was a journey that changed me, one bus ride, one conversation, and one small victory at a time. And for that, I am truly grateful to DoCC SPJIMR and Prof. Chandrika Parmar.