Chalo Dehat

About

States Visited

Madhya Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh

Rajasthan

Punjab

Haryana

Chalo Dehat—meaning “Let’s go to the village”—is CISE’s flagship initiative designed to deepen our understanding of rural India through direct engagement. By stepping beyond academic walls and immersing ourselves in the diverse realities of villages across multiple states, we seek to co-create impactful, sustainable solutions that address local challenges.
Since inception, Chalo Dehat has conducted seven comprehensive field trips, accumulating over 300 hours of rigorous research and successfully launching four sustainable ventures. Our efforts span key locations including Jaipur, Sheopur, Kanpur Dehat, Tharoli, Kanthari, Anandpur Sahib, and Sirsa—each reflecting unique socio-economic contexts and development needs.

Hours
Contributed

300+

States
Covered

5

7

Field Trips

Sustainable Ventures

4

Our Impact Assessment Reports

Each Chalo Dehat field visit culminates in a detailed report that captures nuanced insights into the social, educational, environmental, and health-related challenges faced by communities. These reports serve as valuable tools for stakeholders—including policymakers, researchers, and development practitioners—to understand ground realities and design contextually appropriate interventions.

Copy of Model Gaon Kanthari Report _20250719_192751_0000 1

As part of CISE’s commitment to rural sustainability and innovation, the team visited Tharoli village, Saharanpur, to assess the impact of government and NGO initiatives under the Model Gaon framework. In collaboration with IAS Utsav Anand and local healthcare workers, CISE launched a women’s sanitation awareness campaign, including the monthly distribution of sanitary napkins. Through door-to-door surveys, the team engaged with women and students to gather qualitative data. A comparative study in Ratnakhari, a neighboring non-intervention village, offered critical contrastive insights. The visit culminated in a climate advocacy event and the unveiling of the impact assessment report, attended by dignitaries including representatives from the ICICI Foundation, a Supreme Court lawyer, and Dr. Heera Lal (IAS).

Learn More

Tharoli, Uttar Pradesh

Copy of Model Gaon Kanthari Report _20250719_192751_0000 2

In November 2023, CISE visited Gram Panchayat Kanthari in Firozabad to assess the Model Gaon project under the leadership of Dr. Heera Lal (IAS). The team facilitated the creation of an Oxygen Park, conducted awareness sessions for women and children, and collaborated with UNICEF's Operation Jagriti to combat the misuse of legal provisions against women. CISE also supported local social entrepreneurs in organic farming and waste management. The resulting assessment report, grounded in extensive field research and community feedback, was acknowledged by the NITI Aayog, Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), and the Chief Minister’s Office, Uttar Pradesh, reaffirming the relevance of Gandhian values in rural transformation.

Learn More

Kanthari, Uttar Pradesh

Copy of Model Gaon Kanthari Report _20250719_192751_0000 3

Learn More

Sirsa, Haryana

Get involved with Chalo Dehat

We invite students, researchers, and social innovators to join us in this journey of learning and impact. Together, we can bridge the urban-rural divide and foster development that is inclusive, sustainable, and community-centered.