More thoughts on the AID/sAthi program

It is very encouraging to read the variety of thoughts and opinions on the proposed Sv idea. Whereas I do not find that I am competent to answer all of the questions and addresses all of the concerns, it may worthwhile to consider the following:

• In continuation of my previous submission, I would like to iterate that the diversity of problems and local dynamics in India is so vast that it would be very risky to think of a single mold into which one could fit the Sv. Rather, my hope is that if we have 24 AID chapters each of them would develop its own criteria for relationships and selections so that we do not miss out on any of the possible paths. Only after we have brought some SVs on board is it likely that a pattern would emerge which many chapters may want to emulate. Since the SV is someone you plan to work with closely, only you as a group or a chapter are in a position to decide the most comfortable configuration. The most imp. And crucial component is the depth of the relationship and the constant vigilance against complacence.
• If we do our job right, eventually we should expect to establish a network of SVs of various ages, experiences etc. encompassing as many districts/ blocks as we in collaboration with AID India, can handle. I would imagine that our fellows would act as the overall coordinators in India keeping us continually informed of the activities and progress in any given cell of SVs. Presumably inter connects will develop as we go along but I would not want to preclude any mode. There are too many intangibles in the scenario to allow rigid specifications. In particular we should guard against " ladies and gentlemen in suits and ties making rules for ladies and gentlemen who have neither"
• Once crucial component of the SV idea is that we in AID US should expect to learn a lot from our SVs. There is no substitute for the wisdom that one can imbibe from the so called uneducated villages of India. The methodologies developed by them to cope with their harsh conditions and live amicably with their environment have to be learnt and learnt deeply. Our university degrees should prepare us to be able to understand them but we will fail to pick anything if we do not respect and trust our "teachers' in India. Our solutions, if any, must be appropriately blended with their experience to ensure sustainability and hopefully, success.
• The bottom line is, hone your ideas on what you would like the SVs working with YOUR chatpers/sub-group to do , develop YOUR experience with other AIDers at the earliest possible opportunity. Let us not look for uniformity in the beginning, but rather promote diversity of approaches and let these coalesce in time as we all get better educated.

Mohan Bhagat
Tel (301) 384 2857, (301) 405 6144