Water Poverty in Rural India
Innovations in Sustainable Development
Program Overview
Despite having numerous water bodies, a large section of the population in rural India still struggles to access clean and safe drinking water. The over-exploitation of groundwater and erratic monsoon patterns exacerbate the water scarcity problem in many regions.
In this faculty-led program, the engineering students explore the water scarcity challenges in India. They learn how culture, economics, and the environment influence access to water resources in rural India. The students will get an opportunity to participate in water conservation initiatives like measuring chemicals and total dissolved solids with water test kits, that indicate levels of organic matter in the water. The students will be exposed to various ancient and present-day structures like wells/tanks/dams to store water for usage. The program will also highlight how improvement in the provision of water for sanitation and drinking purposes in schools leads to a decrease in dropout rates of students.
Key Program Elements
- Meeting with the local partner organization that sheds light on the water condition of rural India.
- Site visit in a village with the partner organization.
- Testing water quality using testing kits.
- School visits in rural India.
- Meetings with other relevant organizations and interactive sessions with speakers addressing critical issues related to water scarcity and education in rural India.
- Cultural immersion to experience and understand the local landscape, context and society.
Suitable Disciplines
Engineering
Social Studies
Environmental Science
Featured Cultural Experiences
Taj Mahal and Agra Fort in Agra
Fatehpur Sikri- UNESCO world heritage site
Chand Baori Step Well in Abhaneri
Amer Fort, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal in Jaipur
Qutub Minar and Bangla Sahib Gurudwara in Delhi
Learning Outcomes
Active Learning
- Visit different sites that showcase the water scarcity challenge in rural India.
- Understand the smart strategies deployed by the local organizations within limited resources to tackle the water scarcity challenge.
- Study the ancient and present-day infrastructure like step wells/tanks to store the water for further usage.
Application Skills
- Learn first-hand how to measure the quality of water with the available testing kits.
Cross-Cultural Competence
- Develop cross-cultural competence by connecting and communicating with important stakeholders through multiple interactions in formal and informal contexts.
Personal Development
- Develop resilience, adaptability, empathy, critical thinking, problem-solving and other such soft skills required to thrive in the professional world.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Arrive at Delhi airport; Group transfer to the hotel and check-in.
Day 2: Orientation + Welcome Dinner
Orientation with the local partner organization and welcome dinner in the evening.
Day 3: Company Visits
A full-day visit to Village Ghaghas for a site visit with the organization.
Day 4: NGO Visit
A full-day visit to a relevant NGO.
Day 5: Transfer to Agra + Taj Mahal + Agra Fort
Transfer to Agra by coach and check-in to the hotel. Guided tour of Taj Mahal and Agra Fort followed by gala dinner in the evening.
Day 6: Transfer to Jaipur + Fatehpur Sikri + Chand Baori Step Well
Transfer to Jaipur by coach with stops for guided tours of Fatehpur Sikri and Chand Baori Step Well; Check-in into the hotel. Reach Jaipur and rest in the evening.
Day 7: Guided tour of Amer Fort + Jantar Mantar + Hawa Mahal
Guided tour of Amer Fort, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal. Transfer to Alwar by coach and check-in to the hotel in the evening.
Day 8: Site Visit in Alwar
Site visit of Alwar. Transfer to Delhi by coach and check in to the hotel.
Day 9: Transfer to Roorkee + National Institute of Hydrology
Transfer to Roorkee by train from New Delhi Railway Station; Check-in to the hotel. Visit the National Institute of Hydrology.
Day 10: Transfer to Delhi + Qutub Minar + Bangla Sahib Gurudwara + Dilli Haat
Transfer to Delhi by train from Roorkee Station and check-in to the hotel. Guided tour of Qutub Minar and Bangla Sahib Gurudwara in the afternoon. Visit Dilli Haat for shopping and farewell dinner in the evening.
Day 11: Departure
Transfer to Delhi by train from Roorkee Station and check-in to the hotel. Guided tour of Qutub Minar and Bangla Sahib Gurudwara in the afternoon. Visit Dilli Haat for shopping and farewell dinner in the evening.
Pricing & Inclusions
*COST: $1780/PERSON
(twin-sharing cost, based on a group size of 20)
*Please note that the cost of our programs may vary depending upon several factors, including but not limited to the size of the group, program inclusions, the number of program days and more. Kindly contact us for a customized quote that suits your specific requirements.
- Accommodation: Hotels on a bed and breakfast basis (Wi-Fi included) for 11N/12D
- Meals: All meals (including a gala dinner on New Year’s Eve)
- Guided cultural tours: (incl. entry fees) led by professionals fluent in English and familiar with local culture
- Tips for guides and drivers
- 24x7 support provided by an Authentica Program Manager, who will accompany the group throughout the program and stay at the same hotel as the group (for emergencies off-hours)
- Transport: i) AC Coach for all visits group, airport & train station transfers as per schedule (incl. water, tolls, parking) ii) AC train transfers from New Delhi – Roorkee and Roorkee – New Delhi
- All taxes