The road less travelled: A couple's half-century of rural service in Bundelkhand

By Bharat Dogra 

It was more than 50 years ago, in 1974, that Bhartendu Prakash, a 30‑year‑old Senior Research Associate at IIT Kanpur, faced a difficult decision: whether to continue along a promising academic and research career or to take the less travelled path of serving in villages. He felt strongly that he could contribute more by working in rural areas, but questions remained about whether he and his family could find economic support for such a move. He was married to Shobhna, and the couple had a young daughter.

Bhartendu came from a rural background; his higher education and research at Allahabad University and IIT had been supported by scholarships. He had already worked with highly reputed chemists at a young age, and a bright career beckoned.

Ultimately, after detailed discussions with Shobhna, the young couple moved with their daughter to a place near Bhartendu’s ancestral village (Terahimaafi, in Banda district, Uttar Pradesh, part of the Bundelkhand region). While they had broader plans, their most immediate task—taken up in Atarra, a small town surrounded by paddy fields—was also a promising one: to advance the research of Dr. P.C. Kapur at IIT Kanpur on making cement from paddy husk. Bhartendu accepted the challenge of adapting this technology to real village conditions and achieved considerable success. Looking back, he notes that there was significant scope for combining livelihood support with environmental protection, but established industries did not want this to emerge as a serious alternative. Nevertheless, he says, this technology still retains its relevance.

Both Bhartendu and Shobhna had a keen interest in exploring more creative aspects of school‑level education, especially in science. They helped establish and improve several educational institutions. One particularly important creation was the Vigyan Shiksha Kendra (VSK, or Science Education Centre) in 1974, which remains active to this day, having undergone many experiences. Several young activists received their initial training here, and later I saw many of them playing important roles across Bundelkhand.

With the help of NCERT, the young couple launched a school science programme to popularise hands‑on, activity‑based science teaching in villages. They also undertook a project to document village‑based traditional technologies across various sectors. VSK soon became an important centre for rural‑development training, including training of trainers (TOT). Their work on khadi and handlooms reflected their respect for Gandhian ideals, and they also made significant contributions to promoting organic farming and other activities at the Gandhi ashram in Chhatarpur and elsewhere.

Among the many issues that interested them, three emerged as high priorities: organic farming, medicinal plants, and village‑level food processing for livelihood support and healthier food. Beyond working on these issues locally, Bhartendu and Shobhna—especially Bhartendu—began increasing their participation at national and regional levels. Thus, Bhartendu was elected President twice of the Lok Swasthya Parampara Samvardhan Samiti, a national organisation for promoting rich indigenous health and healing traditions. He served as Director of the Organic Farming Association of India (North India) from 2008 to 2012. Very few people remember today that Dr. Bhartendu Prakash was also the President of the first executive committee of the Centre for Science and Environment, which has since become a very large and famous organisation. He also made important contributions to the planning of Gramodaya University in Chitrakut.

Subsequently, while working with Oxfam and other organisations, VSK became more involved in justice‑related issues and legal aid for weaker sections, as well as providing help to flood victims. VSK increasingly engaged with the problems of floods and droughts in Bundelkhand, along with the water scarcity that many villages there face almost every year. This led to a very important study, involving several top experts, on the Problems and Potential of Water Resources in the Bundelkhand Region, published in collaboration with IIT Delhi. The growing recognition of VSK’s work attracted several visitors from abroad, while Bhartendu and Shobhna also attended numerous international conferences and gatherings. Throughout this period, they also produced several publications related to their work, some of which remain important reference sources. Bhartendu also published two books of his highly sensitive Hindi poetry.

In 2008, Bhartendu and Shobhna took the significant step of establishing a new regional research centre, the Bundelkhand Resource Study Centre. Around the same time, Dr. Bhartendu Prakash received the Vikram Sarabhai Fellowship from the Madhya Pradesh Council of Science and Technology, Bhopal. This work required them to move from Banda district (Uttar Pradesh) to Chhatarpur district (Madhya Pradesh). Since then, they have spent more time there, while maintaining links with the Banda centre they had built over the years and occasionally visiting their son’s and daughter’s families in and around Delhi.

The work undertaken under the Vikram Sarabhai Fellowship, building further on the earlier study done with IIT Delhi, has been of great significance, as it points towards an alternative path for ensuring sustainable water security and adequacy for the Bundelkhand region. This approach combines traditional wisdom with modern science, emphasising the protection of natural resources, avoiding indiscriminate exploitation, and rejecting certain deeply flawed projects.

Now 82, Dr. Bhartendu faces increasing health problems but bravely continues his never‑ending study and research, greatly supported by Shobhna’s constant and helpful efforts. As I recently travelled to their home to spend a quiet day with them, I realised, through our conversations, what a tremendous source of strength Shobhna has been to these tireless efforts over more than five decades.

Shobhna told me a very interesting aspect of their life: they have never quarrelled once in over 55 years of married life! Of course, they have differences from time to time, but as Shobhna says, it is important not to argue immediately; allowing some time for better understanding leads to a more mature discussion. She also related how, at times, they had no funds for essential family needs, yet somehow they managed to overcome such difficulties.

May their good work for the cause of rural science and genuine development continue for many more years!

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The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Planet in Peril and A Day in 2071. His website is bharatdogra.in