NGO – Air Marshal's Perspective

BOOK REVIEW

WALKING BAREFOOT: THE TILONIA WAY

Review by: Air Marshal Anil Khosla (Retd) PVSM, AVSM, VM

Former Vice Chief of Air Staff, Indian Air Force.

The book Walking Barefoot: The Tilonia Way, edited by Heather MC Malcolm with contributions from Aruna Roy, is a celebratory compilation commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Barefoot College in Tilonia, Rajasthan. Bunker Roy founded Barefoot College, a globally recognised institution committed to empowering rural communities by bridging the gap between traditional wisdom and modern innovation. Through its narrative, the book profoundly reflects on the social, cultural, and environmental impact of grassroots movements prioritising self-reliance and sustainability.

The Barefoot College was established in 1972 with the ethos of Gandhian principles, particularly the idea of decentralising knowledge and empowering local communities to be self-reliant. The college’s philosophy challenges conventional development paradigms by emphasising the value of practical skills over formal education. Over the decades, it has become a beacon for social transformation, training rural individuals, especially women, to become solar engineers, educators, and healthcare providers. Walking Barefoot encapsulates this journey through essays, anecdotes, and reflections highlighting Barefoot College’s achievements. The book also serves as a testament to Bunker Roy’s vision and the resilience of the communities that have embraced the Tilonia way.

The Book is divided into thematic sections, each focusing on aspects of Barefoot College’s philosophy and operations. These include rural development, the democratisation of education, environmental sustainability, and gender empowerment. The narrative is interspersed with media articles, testimonials, and visual documentation, offering a comprehensive understanding of Barefoot College’s journey and impact. While the book celebrates Barefoot College’s achievements, it provides limited analysis of its challenges and failures. Their inclusion would have enriched the narrative.

The opening chapters delve into Barefoot College’s foundational principles, emphasising its commitment to Gandhian values. The emphasis on marginalised communities, particularly women, underscores Barefoot College’s commitment to inclusivity and social justice. Roy’s belief in rural communities’ potential to solve their problems forms this philosophy’s cornerstone. The book underscores the importance of decentralised development, where the communities design and implement solutions. This approach challenges top-down models that often fail to address the unique needs of rural populations.

The book critiques the conventional notion that formal education is a prerequisite for progress, arguing instead for recognising and utilising traditional knowledge systems. Barefoot College challenges the hegemony of formal education by prioritising conventional knowledge systems. The book advocates for a more inclusive definition of education that values practical skills and lived experiences, challenging readers to rethink traditional systems.

One of the book’s most compelling aspects is its focus on empowering rural individuals through skill-based training. It provides valuable insights into the practical aspects of rural development, making it a helpful resource for policymakers, development practitioners, and educators. Stories of women from remote villages being trained as solar engineers are remarkable examples of the transformative power of education tailored to the community’s needs. These narratives highlight how Barefoot College has provided livelihoods and instilled confidence and dignity in previously marginalised individuals, inspiring readers and instilling hope for the future.

The Barefoot College’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its innovative programs, such as solar electrification and rainwater harvesting. The book provides detailed accounts of how these initiatives have improved the quality of life in rural areas while addressing critical environmental challenges. By integrating traditional practices with modern technology, the college has demonstrated a model of sustainable development that is both scalable and replicable.

Women’s empowerment is central to Barefoot College’s mission, and the book provides compelling evidence of how gender-focused interventions can drive social transformation. A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the role of women in Barefoot College’s success. The stories of “solar mamas,” who travel from different parts of the world to be trained at Tilonia, underscore the transformative impact of gender-focused development. These women electrify their villages and become symbols of empowerment and agents of change. These stories of individuals who have transformed their lives through Barefoot College are deeply inspiring. These narratives humanise the institution’s work, making its achievements relatable and impactful.

The book also contextualises the institution’s work within broader social and political frameworks, offering insights into how it has been perceived and supported over the years. The Barefoot College’s ability to adapt its programs to diverse cultural contexts is a testament to its resilience and relevance. The book captures this adaptability through stories of communities from Africa, Latin America, and Asia that have benefited from the Tilonia model.

Walking Barefoot: The Tilonia Way is a compelling tribute to Barefoot College’s vision and resilience and to the communities it serves. It captures the essence of a movement that has redefined rural development, education, and sustainability parameters. The book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in grassroots development and the power of community-driven change. By documenting Barefoot College’s journey, the book celebrates its achievements and inspires readers to rethink conventional approaches to development. It reminds readers that progress lies in empowering the most marginalised members of society and creating inclusive, sustainable solutions rooted in local realities.

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BOOK REVIEW

THE PERSONAL IS POLITICAL

Review by: Air Marshal Anil Khosla (Retd) PVSM, AVSM, VM

Former Vice Chief of Air Staff, Indian Air Force.

Aruna Roy’s memoir, The Personal Is Political: An Activist’s Memoir, offers an in-depth exploration of her journey from a privileged upbringing and a position in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) to becoming a grassroots activist dedicated to empowering marginalised communities in rural India. The title reflects the feminist slogan popularised during the second wave of the movement in the 1960s, encapsulating the central theme of her book: the intersection of personal experiences with broader political issues.

Roy’s narrative is a testament to her belief that personal activism, fuelled by empathy and commitment, can bring about systemic change. She recounts her resignation from the IAS in 1975 to join the Social Work and Research Centre (SWRC) in Tilonia, Rajasthan, founded by her husband, Bunker Roy. This decision marked the beginning of her deep engagement with grassroots movements, leading to the establishment of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) and significant contributions to the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Right to Work, and the Right to Food movements in India.

Throughout the memoir, Roy reflects on her experiences as a woman activist navigating male-dominated spaces and grappling with deeply ingrained social conditioning of masculinity. She shares stories of women she regards as her teachers, friends, and fellow activists, contributing to the oral history tradition in modern times. Her narrative underscores a profound humility and willingness to listen and learn, enriching the discourse on grassroots activism and social change.

Roy challenges the misconception that women, particularly those in rural areas, need skill training for better remuneration. She contends that this notion undermines these women’s immense labour and marginalises their work by labelling it “unskilled.” Through personal anecdotes, she illustrates the skill and effort required in these roles, advocating for proper recognition of their contributions.

The memoir operates as a profound meditation on two distinct yet intertwined levels. Roy introspectively examines herself on one level—her ideas, choices, rationality, and conscience. On the other hand, she questions broader societal structures: patriarchal norms, the exploitation of labour, and caste-based discrimination. Her unwavering commitment to social justice is evident as she emphasises the transformative power of empathy. This empathy, she argues, is crucial in understanding the struggles of the marginalised and in fuelling the relentless struggle to overturn these injustices.

Roy’s insights into gender, labour, friendship, organised resistance, and social justice challenge readers to rethink their perceptions and engage more deeply with the world around them. Her memoir, serving as a historical document, is both a guide and an inspiration for those seeking to understand and challenge systemic inequalities. Her journey from an IAS officer to a grassroots activist illustrates the transformative power of empathy and commitment, making her memoir a vital contribution to understanding and addressing social inequities.

In addition to her activism, Roy’s memoir delves into her reflections on various topics, ranging from oral history and literature to feminism and multiple aspects of democracy, including decentralisation. She provides thoughtful commentary on the importance of grassroots movements and the crucial role of ordinary people in bringing about sustainable change, instilling a sense of empowerment and hope in the readers.

Roy’s narrative is enriched by her tributes to colleagues, particularly women from poorer rural families, whom she considers her mentors. She highlights their resilience and extraordinary resistance to oppression, emphasising that every issue, whether poverty, discrimination, inequality, or corruption, has personal and political ramifications. Roy demonstrates that each individual can make a difference by connecting the personal and the political.

The memoir has received praise for its depth and insight. Economists Amartya Sen and Jean Drèze describe it as a reflection on “a life of deep engagement, weaving the personal and the political,” calling it “a great inspiration.” Similarly, author Perumal Murugan notes that the book reinforces the proverb “Actions are the best words spoken,” highlighting the importance of action in bringing about change. The book’s reception not only underscores its literary merit but also its significant contribution to the discourse on social justice and activism.

In conclusion, Aruna Roy’s The Personal Is Political: An Activist’s Memoir is a compelling and thought-provoking account of a life dedicated to social justice and grassroots activism. Roy illustrates the profound connection between individual experiences and broader political movements through her journey, offering valuable insights into the transformative power of empathy, commitment, and organised resistance. Her memoir serves as both an inspiration and a guide for those seeking to understand and challenge societal systemic inequalities.