The Rural Management Programme of XISS organized a Study Tour for the 2023-25 batch from 23rd September to 2nd October 2024. This tour is an integral part of the curriculum, offering students a unique opportunity to learn from organizations involved in rural and urban development beyond Jharkhand. The aim is to expose students to location-specific challenges and innovative strategies used to address them.

The students were divided into three groups:

The first group, under the supervision of Dr Raj Shree Verma, visited Lucknow and Delhi as part of their study tour. In Lucknow, they explored esteemed institutions such as UNICEF’s State Office, Population Services International India (PSI), Tata Trust (focusing on education, agriculture, and menstrual hygiene), Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra (SSK), HCL’s interventions in Hardoi, and the Population Foundation of India (PFI), which addresses adolescent health and reproductive issues. The students had the opportunity to network with their seniors based in Lucknow, gaining valuable insights into current trends in the development sector. Additionally, with placements approaching, they received useful advice on preparing for career opportunities.

In Delhi, the group visited various organizations, including Samvedana Development Society (working in skill development and solid waste management), Last Mile Care/Honda, Synopsys (supporting the transgender community), Vishva Yuvak Kendra (focused on youth and civil society organizations), Centum Foundation (empowering marginalized groups, especially the transgender community), and Mother Dairy.

Led by Dr Pawas Suren, the second group visited Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai as part of their study tour. In Jaipur, the students gained valuable insights into sustainable livelihoods through their visit to the Jaipur Rugs Foundation, which highlighted the significance of handloom weaving in rural development.

In Ahmedabad, they visited AMUL and SEWA, where they learned about cooperative models, women’s empowerment, and grassroots development initiatives. The group also visited Arvind Mills Ltd and Pidilite, along with FES and NDDB, gaining exposure to the integration of innovation with rural development efforts.

In Mumbai, the group engaged with various organizations, including Boehringer Ingelheim (a leading healthcare company), Vihaan Foundation (focused on rehabilitation and education for trafficked women and children), Tyger Capital, UNICEF, Mazagon Shipbuilders Dockyard Ltd, and Alkem, exploring diverse sectors and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

Supervised by Dr Sourya Das, a group of 26 students visited Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Bhubaneswar as part of their study tour. In Bangalore, they visited organizations such as ATREE (focused on environmental conservation), IIHS (works on sustainable urban development), MYRADA (working on livelihood and watershed management), S.M. Sehgal Foundation (building the capacity of rural communities), One Health Trust (public health and sanitation), and Infosys Foundation.

In Hyderabad, the students explored organizations like Rainbow Foundation, Deepak Foundation, NIRD-PR, NABARD, and EY Foundation.
In Bhubaneswar, they visited PCI, CYSD, and Indian Grameen Services, with a focus on Self Help Groups (SHGs), youth empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods through fishing and tourism.

Throughout the tour, students engaged with key themes such as climate change, women’s empowerment, public health, watershed management, and sustainable livelihoods, enhancing their understanding of both rural and urban development. They were able to connect these thematic aspects with the theoretical and practical knowledge gained during their coursework.

Additionally, the group participated in a meditation and aroma therapy session conducted by Gali Kavita Yadaiah from Praan Foundation, who introduced them to the use of music, aroma, and mandala art therapy for mental calmness and improved sleep—especially relevant in today's fast-paced world.

They also participated in an alumni meet organized by the Delhi chapter, Mumbai chapter, & RM Alumni Meet in Ahmedabad which featured panel discussions, networking sessions enriching their understanding of professional opportunities in rural management. Such sessions offered the students valuable insights and connections and lessons on growth and industry trends.