“The motivation in a single statement, ‘Believe you can, and you’re halfway there’, has the power to lead one to achieve amazing feats, and I have witnessed it first-hand”
says Riya Prasad, Block Lead, Economic Inclusion Program.
Working closely with communities in Jharkhand, she has found moments of wisdom in redefining her approach to her professional aspirations. Every time she enters the field, she learns a little more about inherent humility and resilience and how they fit into her definition of leadership.
As a Block Lead, Riya visits the field regularly, connecting with program members with whom she has built long-standing relationships. This community of 1,100 members, each distinctive in their own way and driven by unique contexts, gathers regularly. During her visits, as she discusses various aspects of the program and collects data, her interactions are enriched with insights and nuances that can only emerge from lived experiences.
Of her most awe-inspiring instances, she counts:
“As a data analyst, I have always relied on a methodical approach to measuring and evaluating solutions to problems. However, my first few visits to the field and interactions with communities were extremely humbling. Their deep understanding of their surroundings and solution-oriented mindset provided us with many opportunities to broaden our perspective.
An incident that caught me by surprise and continues to inspire me is the story of Jamuna Didi’s entrepreneurial journey. What began as a modest venture selling gulgula (a traditional sweet) soon blossomed into a thriving business offering local delicacies like jhalmuri, potato chops, and chickpeas. With keen resourcefulness, she expanded her reach by networking and securing a spot as the supplier for village office meetings. As her revenue grew, so did her menu. She added crowd favourites like golgappe and samosas, captivating an even larger customer base.
Her success sparked a ripple effect in the community, inspiring many other women to start similar ventures. True to her generous spirit, Jamuna Didi readily shared her knowledge and guided them through their own entrepreneurial journeys.
While this might seem like a montage(y) narrative, her quick-footedness, and generosity in sharing her tips of the trade to uplift others reshaped my perception of the community and its people. Her ability to gauge her surroundings and act accordingly gave her a unique sense of empowerment.
“This was my biggest takeaway—confidence comes from the ability to adapt. Making an effort to understand your environment and all its moving parts, bit by bit, can be hugely rewarding in the long run.”
Today, having known the Didis for months, Riya enters the field with a fresh perspective, allowing her to learn from the context around her. As she deepens her passion for working closely with communities and contributing to the social sector, she seeks to engage with the people she encounters as individuals—each with unique stories and qualities to inspire her work.
