About us
CARM-DAKSH focuses its work with the tribal communities of North Chattisgarh region comprising of Bilaspur, Korba and Gaurella-Pendra-Marwahi Districts. The main tribal groups consist of Gond, Kanwar, Baiga and Oraon. More than 70% of the population in the intervention area comprises of small & marginal farmers and landless people. The primary source of livelihood in the region is rain-fed agriculture. Poor returns from agriculture result in chronic indebtedness: with credit being available at high rates of interest. People are forced to migrate in search of employment. Most of this labour is unskilled, casual labour attracting low wages. The Caste, tribal and gender identities are pronounced and the associated hierarchies reinforce economic disadvantages experienced by the poor. They have very little political voice and are mostly alienated from the mainstream system of governance and programme delivery. All this translates into poor human development indicators..
The focus of CARM-DAKSH's work has been to increase the well-being of the communities it works with through enhancing livelihoods, both in the rural and urban areas. CARM-DAKSH works with farmer groups that include women farmers in its rural program areas. It has worked on natural resource-based livelihoods - Agriculture, Horticulture, Poultry and NTFP [Non-timber Forest Produce]) and Water and Sanitation. In Urban areas, it has worked directly with women from vulnerable households. The focus in urban areas has been on Non-Traditional Livelihoods (NTL) like auto / E- Rickshaw driving and Motorcycle Repair.
CARM-DAKSH (Centre for Action Research and Management in Developing Attitudes, Knowledge and Skills in Human Resources) was set up in 1991 as a Society registered in New Delhi, and with its head office at Delhi. The founding members of CARM-DAKSH were eminent civil servants from Madhya Pradesh - Dr. Ishwar Dass and Shri Sharad Chandra Behar. In the initial years CARM-DAKSH focused on providing training inputs to various Government and Public Sector organizations, as well as in developing manuals for the use of these organizations. During this period CARM-DAKSH worked for organizations like the Department of Health, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, MP Electricity Board and various District Rural Development Agencies.
Practically all the work of CARM-DAKSH was confined to the undivided Madhya Pradesh. The distinguishing feature of CARM-DAKSH was that it worked with experts on an assignment basis. This mode of functioning continued from 1992 to 2002. In September 2002, a new leadership took over the functioning of the organisation. While remaining committed to the mandate of CARM-DAKSH the focus shifted to the rural development sector.
The decade of 2000 saw CARM-DAKSH evolving from a capacity building organisation to a more hard core implementing agency with a geographical focus on the tribal belt of North Chattisgarh. While capacity building and training continues to be an important part of its work, it is implementation of programmes that has become more central. CARM-DAKSH was approached by the Thapar group to become part of its CSR initiative in Raigarh district in 2009.
The Year 2024 marks the twentieth year of Field Operations of CARM-DAKSH in North Chattisgarh. In this decade CARM-DAKSH has developed and natured several successful partnerships with eminent donors like National Foundation of India, NABARD, Wateraid, TRIFED, SDTT (Sir Dorabji Tata Trust), UK Aid Supported PACS II (Poorest Area Civil Societies) programme, Bharat Rural Livelihood Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Azim Premji Foundation.
Our Vision
The vision of CARM-DAKSH is to have a society that:
- Is Caste less and Equitable
- Promotes wide Cultural Diversity or Pluralism
- Promotes Community Action. (as opposed to an individualistic approach to living)
- Accepts Gender Equity
- Ensures Decentralisation of Power and Authority
Our Mission
The mission of CARM-DAKSH is to support organisations, groups or persons to develop Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes and Values appropriate and/or necessary for working towards its vision.
Members of Executive Council
Mr.Sharad Chandra Behar
(Chairman)
Masters of Arts in Psychology, University of Jabalpur, 1961; Post graduate Diploma in Development Studies, University of Cambridge, 1975-76
Experience:
Retired as Chief Secretary, Government of Madhya Pradesh. During his illustrious career in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) he headed departments like Tribal Development, Education, Labour Agriculture and Co-operation. He. Is closely associated with several civil society organisations.
Shri Ranjan Roy
(Treasurer)
Masters in Economics; LLB; Certified Associate of Indian institute of Bankers (Mumbai)
Experience:
Has 33 years of experience of rural Banking in Chattisgarh. Also worked as the senior consultant to State Resource Centre (Adult and Continuing Education), Chattisgarh.
Tejinder Singh Bhogal
(Member)
B.Sc. (Agriculture), Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana; Post-Graduate Diploma in Management (Rural Management) (PGDM) from Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), Anand
Experience:
Co-founder and Director of Innobridge Consulting Pvt. Ltd. Formerly, Dean, Social Development, Indian Society For Applied Behavioural Science (ISABS). An alumni of the first batch of Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA). For the first fifteen years of his career he worked at the grassroots in the areas of micro irrigation and social forestry: most of this time spent working with PRADAN. For the last twenty three years, he has worked as a consultant and trainer in organizational effectiveness and Human Resource Development in the social sector. He has worked with over a 100 NGOs, donors and Government programs.
Rabindra Kumar Singh
( Member)
M.P.S., State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, USA; Certificate in Analysis & Resolution of Conflict, Syracuse University, USA; Ph.D., L.L.B., M.Sc. (Chemistry), Ranchi University, Ranchi
Experience:
Retired as Principal Chief Conservator Forest (PCCF), Government of Chattisgarh. During his long career in the Indian Forest Service (IFS) he headed various departments like Nation Schedule Caste finance & Department Corporation, New Delhi; National Commission for Safai Karancharis, New Delhi; Chattisgarh State Institute for Rural Development (SIRD), Raipur; State Level Nodal Agency for Watershed, Chattisgarh, Academy of Administration and Professor, Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) Bhopal.
Archana Singh
(Member)
B.Sc. (Agriculture); M.Sc. (Agriculture); PhD in Development communication from Gobind Ballabh Pant University; Chevening Gurukul fellow at University of Oxford (United Kingdom),2019
Experience:
Dr. Archana, is working as Integrator in a national level NGO PRADAN that works with over 0.7 million rural women on issues of livelihoods and gender equality. Most of her time during her 25 years career, Archana has been involved in ground development practice with tribal communities in one of the poorest pockets of Madhya Pradesh. She has led field teams and was in core group for Gender Equality Program funded by UN Women. As part of her fellowship at Oxford she conducted the study on “Ensuring gender transformative Livelihoods for woman farmers.”
Executive Director
Ranu Kayastha Bhogal
(Executive Director)
B.A (Honours) in Economics, St. Stephens College; M.A in Economics, Delhi School of Economics, Delhi University; Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Management from Institute of Rural Management (IRMA), Anand; Hubert Humphrey Fulbright Fellow (2001-02) Cohort
Ranu is a Development Professional who combines a first-hand understanding of field level realities with a good theoretical understanding of the underlying issues. She has substantial experience in helping teams and organizations think through on a range of developmental issues and challenges, including how to develop as effective institutions. Has an overall experience of close to 38 years in the Development sector. She has been associated with CARM-DAKSH in an honorary capacity since 2003.
Our Team
Dip Narayan Banerjee
(Program Director)
B Sc (Agriculture) Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur; PG Diploma in Computer Application, DATAPRO
Experience:
Has over 27 years of experience in the development sector. Working in CARM-DAKSH since February 2005 as Programme Director. Has significant experience in thematic areas like Integrated Natural Resource Management, climate resilient agriculture, Livelihoods and Water and Sanitation (WATSAN).
Suresh Kumar Patel
(Program Coordinator)
B. Com from Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur and Masters in Social Work from Allahabad University
Experience:
Has over 32 years of experience in the development sector with special focus on community mobilization, agriculture Interventions, microfinance and Water and Sanitation (WATSAN). Has been working with CARM-DAKSH since October 2003.
Umashankar Vishwakarma
(Finance Officer)
B. Com, DCA from Barkatullah University, Bhopal (M.P.)
Experience:
Has over 23 years of experience in Accounting & Financial Management. Has been leading the Finance and accounting portfolio of CARM-DAKSH since February 2011.
Kamal Bhardwaj
( Project Coordinator)
LLB from Guru Ghasidas University, PGDCA from AISECT & MBA from C.V Raman University, Kota, Chhattisgarh
Experience:
Has over 15 years of experience in the development sector with specialization in Watershed management, Agriculture and Geographic information system (GIS). Presently leads the programme in two Blocks of Korba District Has been working in CARM-DAKSH since October 2007,
Bihari Patel
(Senior Livelihood Integrator)
Masters in Social Work and M. A in History from Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur Chhattisgarh
Experience:
Had over 18 years of experience in the development sector. Working in CARM-DAKSH since May 2008. Has experience in community Mobilization, Poultry and Vegetable Cultivation.
Balendra Mishra
(Small Livestock Expert)
M.A in Political Science from Awadhesh Pratap Singh University, Rewa (M.P) and Masters in Social Work from Bhoj Open university Bhopal
Experience:
Has over 15 years of experience in the Development Sector. With a Specialization in Forest Rights, Local Governance, and Small Livestock development especially in Goatry and backyard poultry. Has been working in CARM-DAKSH since February 2012
Shashank
(Project Coordinator)
M.Sc. Agriculture from Hemati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal Central University, Uttarakhand
Experience:
Has over Eight years of experience in the Development Sector with specialisation in Rural Livelihoods and Project Management. Has been working in CARM-DAKSH since April 2021.
Kiran Das Mahant
(Project Executive)
B.Ed. Ravishankar University, Raipur; M.A. (Economics), Bilaspur University; Masters in Social Work, Pandit Sundar Lal Sharma Open University, Bilaspur
Experience:
Has over 12 years of experience in the Development Sector with a specialization in Education, Gender, and community mobilization. Has been working in CARM-DAKSH since August 2021.
Avinash Singh
(Agriculture and Marketing Specialist)
M. Sc. (Agriculture), Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya Raipur, Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Development (PGDRD), CV Raman University
Experience:
Working in CARM-DAKSH since February 2021. Responsible for Community Mobilisation, Agriculture Interventions, Nursery Management and developing market linkages for the FPO.
Baban Pal
(Watershed Expert)
B.Tech (Civil Engineering), Ranchi University, Ranchi
Experience:
Has nine years of experience in the Development Sector. Has been with CARM-DAKSH since March 2024. Has expertise in Watershed management and community mobilisation.
Alok Tamrakar
(Watershed Expert)
Diploma in Civil Engineering, Swami Vivekanand University, Bhilai, Chhattisgarh
Experience:
Has five years of experience in the Development Sector. Working in CARM-DAKSH since May 2024. Skilled in GIS mapping & planning and Watershed management.
Pragya Porte
(Project Executive)
M.Sc. in Rural Technology and Social Development from Guru Ghasi Das university, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh
Experience:
Has been working in CARM-DAKSH since April 2022. Responsible for community mobilisation and Agriculture