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Centre for Studies in Science Policy
School of Social Sciences, JNU
Cordially invites you to
CSSP Lecture Series Talk on
Transforming Within, Transforming Together: Sustainable Community-led Change in Rural Uttarakhand
by
Vandana Asha
(Founder and Executive Officer, Rang Kaarwaan, Champawat, Uttarakhand)
Venue: Room No. 227, 2nd Floor, SSS-1, JNU
Time: 11:30 am
Date: Thursday, 21st August 2025
Mode: Physical
Abstract: True transformation in rural development does not begin with infrastructure or policy—it begins with people. When individuals engage in deep inner work, developing self-awareness, confidence, and critical thinking, they unlock the capacity to lead change in their own communities. This talk shares the experience of Champawat, Uttarakhand, where Rang Kaarwaan, a women- and youth-led movement, has redefined development through arts-based facilitation, life skills education, and gender equity initiatives. By centering inner transformation—shifting mindsets, fostering empathy, and nurturing agency—local youth and women have emerged as catalysts for collective action. The ripple effect moves outward: from personal growth to household decision-making, from collaborative problem-solving to systemic advocacy. This approach demonstrates that sustainable rural development is not a top-down process, but a co-created journey in which empowered individuals shape resilient, self-reliant communities.
About the Speaker: Vandana Asha is the Founder and Executive Officer of Rang Kaarwaan, a grassroots movement rooted in Champawat, Uttarakhand. Over the past eight years, she has trained and mentored more than 55 local youth—primarily women—as facilitators and leaders, impacting over 9,000 individuals through arts-based education, gender equity programs, and community empowerment initiatives. Vandana's work integrates Theatre of the Oppressed, experiential learning, and creative facilitation to address systemic challenges such as gender discrimination, lack of quality education, and rural youth unemployment. She has designed over 100 curricula, collaborated with nearly 20 organizations, and continues to advocate for community-driven development as a pathway to sustainable change.
About Rang Kaarwaan: Rang Kaarwaan is a women-led grassroots movement in Champawat, Uttarakhand, dedicated to building inclusive, participatory, and creative learning environments. Its initiatives—Rang Shaalaa, Prangan Library & Learning Centre, and Art-vocacy—use arts, theatre, and experiential pedagogy to foster leadership, gender equity, and community resilience. With 5,000+ adolescents, 1,800+ children, and 500+ women directly engaged, and a network of trained local youth facilitators, Rang Kaarwaan is reshaping the way rural communities envision and create sustainable futures.
All are welcome to attend the lecture.
Coordinators, CSSP Lecture Series
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