Jani had a dog bite

A Humorous Yet Serious Incident – November 1993

Though my memory of the exact date
and time is hazy, I recall this peculiar incident occurring around November 1993. Let me reintroduce Jani, a fascinating individual and one of my favorite colleagues at AKRSP. A seasoned civil engineer, he had worked for years as a Project Assistant in Dhandhalpur, overseeing the construction of the Sokhda Village irrigation tank.

On that day, I was returning to Dhandhalpur from a meeting in Sayla. As I stepped off the bus, I noticed an unusually large crowd—children, elders, men, and women—gathered nearby. Sensing something amiss, I hurried toward them. To my shock, there was Jani in the middle of the commotion, his pants torn and his left leg bleeding profusely.

I rushed to him, the crowd parting to let me through. Despite the chaos, Jani remained eerily calm, even managing a smile as he puffed on his bidi (a local cigarette). He explained that a stray dog had taken a sudden dislike to him earlier that morning. While passing by, the dog began chasing him. Jani humorously recounted, “I tried reasoning with it, but negotiations failed. The dog decided to bite me instead!”

Panicking, I asked if the dog was rabid and urged him to see a doctor immediately. Jani, unfazed, brushed it off: “Don’t worry—I’ll head to Sayla soon by bus.” Gradually, the crowd dispersed, and thankfully, he found transportation to reach Sayla for treatment.

The incident, though alarming, highlighted Jani’s unflappable demeanor. Even in chaos, he kept his cool—and his bidi lit. A story we still laugh about, decades later.

Learning PRA- what an experience?

AKRSP: A Community-Driven Force & Lessons from a PRA Misadventure

AKRSP (Aga Khan Rural Support Programme) stands out as an exceptional grassroots organization that places communities at the heart of every initiative, starting from the planning stage itself. One of their most impactful tools is PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal), a social approach to technical development that I’ve long aspired to master.

Mr. Anilbhai Shah, then CEO of AKRSP, revered as a PRA guru, organized a 3-day training program for staff. The agenda included a theoretical session in Sayla (pre-PRA), a field day (applying PRA tools), and a final day for data compilation and presenting findings to villagers.

As the Cluster Incharge of Dhandhalpur, I was tasked with selecting a village for the PRA exercise, in consultation with Rekha (Community Organizer). We chose "Gundiawada", a village 6 km from Dhandhalpur, opposite Dhamrashla. Rekha had recently begun engaging there and informed villagers about the PRA’s purpose, date, and process.

Day 1: Anilbhai’s training was electrifying. His clarity on “dos and don’ts” and his flair as a facilitator left everyone—myself included—motivated and ready to implement PRA tools.

Day 2: We arrived early in Gundiawada. Most villagers attended the initial meeting, where we explained the PRA’s goal: to gather data for a holistic village overview. We divided villagers into groups—I joined the Natural Resource Management team. The exercise began with resource mapping, followed by charting village streets, community locations, and landmarks.

Midway, a woman from the influential Darbar community questioned, “Why are you mapping our houses?” A group leader calmly replied, “This helps us understand where everyone lives, so we can reach you easily for future work.”

We continued with wealth mapping, seasonal calendars, and more. At lunch, we traveled 5-6 km for a meal, promising to return in an hour. Over food, we excitedly discussed the data and planned a transect walk.

The Unexpected Turn:
Upon returning, the village felt eerily deserted. No movement, no villagers. Rekha rushed to investigate and returned pale, urging us to leave immediately. The reason? The same woman who questioned the mapping had rallied the village, warning them we were thieves plotting robberies using the maps. Despite Rekha’s pleas, villagers refused to engage. Defeated, we retreated.

Stinging Reflections:

1. AKRSP had operated in the area for 6 years, even building a dam near Gundiawada.

2. We’d worked in adjacent villages and passed through Gundiawada countless times.

3. How had they never heard of us? Why did our intentions get misread?

Unanswered Questions:

• Was house mapping truly necessary?

• Could we have explained the purpose more sensitively?

• Was this a misunderstanding, political sabotage, or a bid for influence by the woman?

Key Takeaways:

1. Build rapport first: Trust must precede technical exercises.

2. Clarity is critical: Simplify the purpose of tools like mapping to avoid suspicion.

Though disheartening, the experience taught us humility and the importance of cultural nuance. We returned with laughter, lessons, and a resolve to adapt. After all, development work isn’t just about plans—it’s about people, patience, and perseverance.

Sometimes, the greatest lessons come from the messiest missteps. 🌱

first few days in AKRSP

Life at AKRSP-Sayla: Immersion & Growth (1993)

Day Two: Settling In
The second day began with further introductions and familiarizing myself with the campus. V.B. Patel, a seasoned Program Assistant, became my reluctant guide. Having aspired to become a Program Officer (PO) himself, his frustration at reporting to a newcomer like me was palpable. Still, he walked me through files, procedures, and my workspace with grudging professionalism.

Meanwhile, I bonded quickly with Ghanshyam, a tech-savvy colleague assisting the Project Coordinator (PC). His ease with computers drew me in, sparking an instant camaraderie.

The highlight came when I met Ms. Shilpa Vasavda, a fellow PO—sharp, articulate, and brimming with charisma. By evening, she invited me to observe a Village Institution (VI) meeting, my first taste of grassroots governance.

Into the Field
At 7:30 PM, we set off for Chotila (33 km from Sayla), then another 15 km to a remote village. Along the way, we picked up Ramesh, the Chotila-based PO, and reached the meeting site. For five hours, I watched Shilpa lead discussions with villagers—negotiating, educating, and inspiring. Her command of the room left me awestruck. By midnight, the meeting wrapped, and we dropped off colleagues before returning to Sayla at 2:00 AM.

Midnight Fuel
Starving, we stopped at Maraj, a dimly lit, unassuming roadside eatery near our bungalows. Though far from luxurious, the warm meal tasted like heaven after the day’s marathon.

A New Chapter: Village Immersion
The next morning, Rajeshbhai informed me of AKRSP’s induction policy: all new POs must live in a village for three months during probation. I agreed eagerly and relocated to Dhandhalpur, a hamlet 20 km away.

Rustic Living
I shared a rented room with T.T. Mehta in a widow’s home (rent: ₹100/month). Two other staffers—Rekha Aghara (Community Organizer) and Shanta Patel (Program Assistant)—lodged nearby, alongside Jani, a witty PA. The catch? No toilet. My daily routine involved treks to the bushes—a small price for authenticity.

On the Ground
My Rajdoot motorcycle became my lifeline. T.T., Jani, and I rode together to dam sites, while Rekha and Shanta zipped around on their M-80. I oversaw the Dhamrashla Percolation Tank, a major earthen dam project, while Jani managed the Sokhda reservoir. Shanta’s engineering prowess kept Dhamrashla on track, and fortnightly meetings with Rekha deepened my understanding of community dynamics.

Reflections
AKRSP’s blend of professionalism and grassroots participation fascinated me. Mornings began with T.T.’s chai, followed by site visits by 7:30 AM. The dam’s surrounding bushes? My makeshift latrine—proof that adaptability fuels growth.

Those three months were a masterclass in rural development. From gender-sensitive planning to Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) techniques, every day brought revelations—stories I’ll share in upcoming posts.

first day in AKRSP

Day One at AKRSP-Sayla: A New Beginning (August 26, 1993)

My father insisted on accompanying me to Sayla, a small town 80 km from Rajkot, to help with my luggage. Public transport options were sparse—only a few buses stopped there—but we managed to catch the right one, arriving at Sayla’s bus stand by 11:00 AM.

First Impressions
The AKRSP campus stood proudly on the highway outskirts of the town. Its well-designed layout featured a main office building, six quaint bungalows, two staff quarters, and a charming guest house, all nestled amid lush greenery. The serenity of the location instantly put me at ease.

Reporting In
I met Mr. Rajesh Kapoor, my contact, who warmly welcomed me and introduced me to T.T. Mehta, a seasoned surveyor. T.T. helped me draft my joining report—a formal yet straightforward process. By noon, my paperwork was submitted, and hunger led us to a nearby dhaba (roadside eatery).

The Dhaba Experience
The tiny, soot-stained restaurant was one of only two options along that 6-8 km stretch. We braved the sweltering heat and spicy fare—a meal costing just ₹9–10—while my father joked about my new "adventurous" life. After lunch, he bid me farewell, leaving me to navigate this fresh chapter alone.

Settling In
Back at the campus, Mr. Kapoor assigned V.B., a Program Assistant, to orient me. V.B. toured me through the Engineering Department, my workspace, and introduced me to colleagues. While his explanations of files and workflows felt haphazard, I gleaned a rough idea of my responsibilities.

Temporary Lodging
My official quarters were still occupied by a staff member named Dashrath, so I moved temporarily into V.B.’s bachelor's quarter—a shared bungalow with Ghanshyam and Chandu (another surveyor). Only V.B. and Chandu were present that day, but their easy camaraderie made me feel welcome.

Reflections
Despite the whirlwind of activity, it was a surprisingly calm first day—a promising start to my new role. As I unpacked in my makeshift room, I felt a mix of anticipation and quiet pride. The journey ahead was uncharted, but the warmth of my colleagues and the tranquility of the campus hinted at brighter days to come.

I went for interview of Program Officer [Engg] -AKRSP [Aga Khan Rural Support Program]

A Leap of Faith: My First Job Adventure (1993)

It was the final lab exam of my second semester in the Post Diploma in Computer Applications (PDCA) program. My friend Ashok and I, having finished our turns, were casually flipping through the Times of India job pages (a Thursday ritual). Suddenly, my eyes widened at an intriguing advertisement: “Program Officer (Engineering)”—a role requiring a civil engineering qualification and three years of experience. The clincher? A tempting salary of ₹4,500 per month!

Though neither of us had the full three years of experience (we were six months short), Ashok and I decided to apply anyway. To our delight, we both received invitations for a written exam at the Aga Khan Rural Support Program (AKRSP) office in Ahmedabad.

The Written Exam: Chaos and Hope
The scene at AKRSP was overwhelming. 21 candidates had shown up for a single position! The conference hall overflowed, spilling applicants into corridors and onto borrowed desks. Ashok and I exchanged nervous glances—how had we even made the cut?

After the exam, we were told to wait two hours for results. To ease our nerves, we wandered into the sweltering noon heat, stumbling upon a quaint tea stall. Over steaming chai and puffs, we daydreamed about landing the job.

The Shortlist Surprise
When the results were announced, only three candidates advanced to the oral interview—Ashok, myself, and a third contender with an MTech in Water Resources. The odds felt daunting, but we clung to hope: a 66% chance one of us would succeed.

The Interview: Nerve-Wracking Moments
My interview panel included Mr. M.H. Vakharia (Retired Chief Engineer) and Mr. Apoorva Oza (Senior Program Executive at AKRSP). Despite stumbling on one technical question, I held my ground. Ashok, too, felt he’d performed well. Yet, doubt lingered—our competitor’s advanced degree loomed large.

The Long Ride Home
We replayed every detail on the bus back to Rajkot, arriving past 11:30 PM. Over the next two weeks, college deadlines distracted us—until a letter arrived at my doorstep.

The Life-Changing Offer
My parents greeted me with beaming smiles: I’d been selected! Racing to Ashok’s house, I shared the news. Though thrilled for me, he masked his disappointment with grace. My start date? August 25, 1993—just a week away.

But there was a hiccup: my mother insisted on a family pilgrimage to Ambaji before my sister’s birthday on the 25th. With a deep breath, I dialed Mr. Rajesh Kapoor (my contact at AKRSP). To my relief, he chuckled and said, “No problem, Manish. Start on the 26th.”

And So It Began…
That job didn’t just launch my career—it taught me the power of audacity. Sometimes, applying for the “impossible” opens doors you never imagined.