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IDeA - Institute
for Development Action
The
idea of IDeA
IDeA should ideally develop into more of a forum than an
institute that will allow development related knowledge to become everyone’s
domain. Development as it gets defined or is ‘happening’ today leaves many of
us unhappy with the way it marginalises those who cant reach out to access it.
The once holy voluntary sector that used to be respected is also reviled. Those
who should have looked forward to help from this sector also are not sure of
its commitment and sincerity. While the NGO sector grows and so does the
dependence of the government on the sector for delivering its lopsided
development ideas, the fact remains that the traditional notion of having
committed social workers is now a rarity and both donors and beneficiaries
expect professional approaches.
IDeA hopes to consciously make modern
development a debating point. It hopes that when more actors in the northeast
society discuss development issues and weigh its pros and cons, a critical mass
of people will be available to guide development to a more sustainable variety.
It hopes that Development and setting its priorities will not remain the
prerogative of the Government alone, but will also be seen as an entitlement.
IDeA would like to provide committed
young people to understand, debate, develop and spread a people – first
Development Dialogue. As part of
the ant, it hopes to carry on with a style of functioning where
committed people do not have to contend with people breathing down their neck.
Believing that everyone has the right to evaluate the other irrespective of
stature, IDeA would hope to develop
along with its committed team members. IDeA
has already received its mandate from more than 20 reputed organisations of the
northeast and has a financial backup for take off. It has also received a
modest budget for building some humble rooms where educated minds can find
their individual space, yet live together to share and challenge each other
with great ideas that can change the world around them. All that IDeA
is waiting for is YOU. If you have the humility to understand that none of us
have the ultimate knowledge of the truth of development and it will have to be
sought while acting in the field rather than debating in books, please join
IDeA. If you know other people around you who
would also like to learn while doing, get them along. For knowing more about
the ant, please visit www.theant.org.
Apart from subsidised accommodation, the job offers between 5-10,000 rupees a
month depending on the experience and qualifications produced. Contact sunil at
094351 22042 or ask for Jenny, Rajib or Papori at 03664225506.
We WANT You
- Do you have a passion for development work?
- A commitment to rural India?.
-
Preferably with professional degrees necessary for rural development or
- Having some years of experience in the development sector
the ant
is a voluntary agency working in the northeast since 2000. We are starting a new venture called IDeA, the Institute for Development
Action for which we are building up a core team of professionals. In the next few years, we will be hand holding and building up capacities of small NGOs in the northeast
region.
As part of the IDeA core faculty, the job requires
you to:
- Be rooted in direct field work in a subject and speciality of your choice
- Assist in conducting short courses for training others
- Meet and learn from some of the most experienced and committed
individuals in the
sector
If you are ready to dare the monsoons, malaria and challenges of the northeast, we
assure you that there will be much to learn. IDeA
has been started by
the ant, which stresses on development action that stems from sound
development theory. It is backed by some of the most prominent NGOs in the
northeast who will also ground some of the course modules.
If you wish to be one of the 4 or 5 young people we are looking for, or know
someone just right for us, please remember to contact Sunil at 94351 22042
or
talk to Jenny, Rajib or Papori at 03664 225506.
Logistics
IDeA is located at the ant's campus in Vill Rowmari, PO Khagrabari, via
Bongaigaon, District Chirang, Bodoland, Assam. It is located a few kms north of
Bongaigaon town and is fairly well connected by share autos during the day
directly from New Bongaigaon station about 8 kms away, or from Chapaguri on the
National Highway just 2kms away.
You will need to make your way to New Bongaigaon, a major railway station that
is 170 kms short of Guwahati on the track from Delhi and from Howrah. All trains
– and there are many, incl the Rajdhani - stop here. The Rajdhani would take 25
hours from Delhi and reaches at 3.30 PM by starting at 2.00 PM the previous day
from Delhi on most days of the week (twice a week it starts at 10.AM). Most
trains from Howrah would take around 21 hours, but the Saraighat Express takes
just 14 hours or so, leaving Howrah at 4.00 PM and reaching at 6.25 in the
morning. The Rajdhani to Delhi leaves at 9.20 in the morning to reach by 10 AM
the next morning (by 2.00 PM on some days) and towards Guwahati, it leaves at
3.30 PM to reach by 6.00 PM.
Those of you who plan to come by air directly to Guwahati must know that
Bongaigaon is about 3 to 3 and a half hours away by all express trains (prone to
delays on their way to Guwahati) and about 4 and a half hours by 4 Passenger
trains running from either side between the two. The last passenger train leaves
around 5 PM, and the first train starts at 5 AM from either side.
Most flights come to Guwahati via Kolkata except flights from Delhi.
Kingfisher will fly you direct from Mumbai. The last flight leaves at 7.30 PM to
Kolkata. The airport is 20 kms away from the town, but those of you who may plan
to take a car should know that it is on the highway to Bongaigaon. Cars charging
around 2500 per trip take around
3 hours by road, but road journeys are prone to 'bandh' calls and we will not
advise tight timings, as the alternate route may take upto 6 hours.
It is fairly cold between mid-December and mid-February as we are close to the
foothills of the Bhutan Himalayas. Personal woolens must be carried as evenings
(and cloudy days) can be very cold and damp.
Rains start hitting the place anytime after 15th April and can continue well
until 15th October. It pours when it rains and clothes can take days to dry up.
Assam has a beautiful countryside and there are many places to visit.
The Manas National Park is a few hours away from our campus. There are a number
of sanctuaries nearby, one of them being Chakrashila just an hour and a half
away, and Natures Beckon a NGO that works there almost guarantees a sighting of
the Golden Langur. Around Guwahati there are quite a few sanctuaries, but the
Kaziranga National Park 150 kms away is the most famous for its one-horned
rhinoceros. Guwahati is also famous for the old Tantric temple of Kamakhya, the
Pub-Mecca and the modern day culture centre called Sri Shankardeva Kalakshetra.
For any further queries, write to us at
contact@theant.org or
sunil@theant.org
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