Interactions

<strong>The Interactions:</strong>

The objective of Sharada’s ride is to discover what water means to people across the country. The problems faced by people with respect to water are different in different parts of the country. Through his discussions with people, he will try to gain a first-hand view of this range of interactions with water. What are their struggles, hopes and aspirations for their community with respect to water? What role does water play in their lives? Are people water-literate? Are their ways of managing water sustainable? He will also share stories that he comes across from different parts of the country. This sharing will increase the sensitivity of people towards water and its needs and hopefully will contribute to granting water the importance it is due.

Everyday Sharada will travel for about 300km and stop at (usually) a rural or semi-urban place for community interaction. This interaction is the core purpose of the trip. It will involve an entertaining and informative focus group discussion with the local community, which could be a small-town school, village members, Rotary Club members or the employees of a company. By sharing pictures and anecdotes on other parts of the country it will let every person experience the excitement and learning of Sharada’s ride. The interaction will engage the community in activities, stories and discussions on water and it will, we hope, open their eyes to how their fellow citizens live. It will bring them closer to the dozens of other communities across the country by understanding what water really means to those people.

Sharada Prasad will also conduct a simple survey poll wherever he stops. Compiling this information will create a less scientific but instructive ‘report card’ on the issue he is covering.