The SBI Youth for India Fellowship is for 13-months and enables the fellows to work on rural development projects in partnership with experienced NGOs

Four young fellows are with MSSRF – Yashika and Sakshi came in August while Kumar and Rakesh joined us in October. Find out more about what motivates them to engage with communities at the grassroots…

Kumar Arpit, a native of Bhagalpur, Bihar, is a data journalism graduate who previously worked with Reliance Jio. “This fellowship is a significant opportunity to work at the grassroots level helping to build a meaningful society,” he shares. Kumar goes on to talk about his expectations from the fellowship and admits that he draws inspiration from a M K Gandhi quote – the ‘future of India lies in its villages’. “I am excited to work with MSSRF because the organisation aims to accelerate the use of modern science for sustainable agricultural and rural development with a focus on tribal and rural communities.”

Yashika Khattar hails from Panipat in Haryana, and is a BSc(H) Physics graduate from Hindu College, University of Delhi. She has finished her post-graduation in Development and Labour Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University. “My interest slants more towards field work as I often ponder on macro issues in the social sector and would now like to understand them by examining micro-level nuances,” she explains. “I feel this experience with MSSRF will enhance my problem-solving skills, help me understand minute challenges, and prepare me for large projects I wish to undertake.”

Sakshi Kumari finished here UG and PG in Commerce from Delhi University, and has been volunteering for the last five years with several NGOs. She is from Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh. “I always wanted to have a better understanding of problems the rural communities face and then find a way to help them, so I wanted more time than the few volunteer hours per week that I normally spent,” she confirms. “I feel I will be a different person once I experience rural India under the SBI fellowship at MSSRF.”

Rakesh Bag is from Howrah, West Bengal, and has a Masters in Modern History from University of Calcutta. He later joined a wildlife management course at Vidyasagar University, which was his first professional exposure to the NGO world. “Eight years ago, I accidentally I hurt a water hen, and that feeling drove me to be involved with wildlife rescue and conservation as a volunteer,” he reminisces. “I would like to engage with the rural and tribal communities, perhaps one day, even create a model village! I am excited to challenge my limits and explore myself during the fellowship with MSSRF.”