The/Nudge Institute, Manipal TATA Medical College (MTMC), and Manipal Foundation co-host Jharkhand Charcha 2025
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Over 250 leaders from government, civil society, businesses, and academia gathered in Ranchi, Jharkhand, on September 23, 2025, for Jharkhand Charcha 2025. Organized by The/Nudge Institute, Manipal Tata Medical College (MTMC), and Manipal Foundation, the event focused on creating inclusive livelihood opportunities for Jharkhand’s 33 million residents. About a quarter of them belong to tribal communities, and experts stressed the need for big-picture solutions to tackle poverty and boost rural development.
Speakers made it clear: Jharkhand’s growth can’t rely on small, scattered efforts. Instead, the state needs integrated strategies that blend economic security, social fairness, and environmental protection. Smt. Dipika Pandey Singh, Jharkhand’s Minister for Rural Development, Rural Works, and Panchayati Raj, kicked things off by calling for strong partnerships. She said these alliances should tap into everyone’s knowledge and real-life experiences, not just money. Singh spotlighted the JSLPS Didis—women leading change through the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS). This group works to fight poverty by promoting livelihoods, and these women help their communities access government programs. “By teaming up grassroots leaders with bigger institutions, Jharkhand can speed up inclusive prosperity,” she noted.
Shri Nagendra Nath Sinha, a retired IAS officer and former Secretary in India’s Ministry of Rural Development, echoed the need for practical, on-the-ground approaches to end extreme poverty. He pushed for “cash plus care” models that offer grants, ongoing support, and skills training. Sinha praised JSLPS innovations like UDAAN, Dakiya Yojana, and the new UPAJ program, which reach particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) and marginalized families.
Shri Charanjit Singh, another retired IFS officer from the Ministry of Rural Development, agreed on grounding livelihood models in local realities while making them market-friendly. He urged the state to build strong market links through better marketing and branding to help farmers and entrepreneurs thrive.
Discussions kept circling back to diversifying jobs beyond farming, especially with climate change and market ups and downs hitting hard. Experts called for mixing crop farming with livestock, small businesses, and services. They highlighted women’s key roles in animal rearing and group ventures, pushing for more funding in farmer producer organizations (FPOs) and roles like Pashu Sakhis to empower rural women in Jharkhand.
Dr. Nitin Kulkarni, Additional Chief Secretary to Jharkhand’s Governor, talked about shifting from basic welfare to real empowerment. He pointed to the state’s flagship Mukhyamantri Mayya Samman Yojana (JMMSY), which now supports over 5 million women with cash transfers. When linked to skills training and business chances, these programs build independence and strength, he said.
Technology emerged as a game-changer for tribal livelihoods and sustainable natural resource use. Shri Manish Ranjan, Director of SKIPA in Jharkhand, stressed that tech must be user-friendly—open-source, low-bandwidth, in simple local languages, and accessible even for those with little literacy. This way, it truly helps in rural areas.
The day wrapped up with a policy roadmap from Shri Rajeev Singh Thakur, IAS Advisor at NITI Aayog. It summed up the talks into actionable steps for fairer, tougher development in Jharkhand, with NITI Aayog pledging support for the poorest households.
Shri Harinarayan Sharma, CEO of Manipal Foundation, reflected on the event’s energy: “We saw how weaving economic inclusion, gender equality, women’s health, and climate resilience together drives real change. At MTMC and Manipal Foundation, we’re committed to sparking these efforts. True to the Manipal Group’s values, we know healthy women lift entire families and communities. As a top medical college in the area, we’ll back these ambitious women with quality care.” He added that Jharkhand Charcha 2025 proves inclusive prosperity happens when goals and groups unite for the common good.
John Paul, Senior Director of The/Nudge Institute’s Livelihoods Program, wrapped up the insights: “Vulnerability, gender, and climate aren’t separate issues—they connect deeply. Treating them as silos could worsen exclusion. With its young population and solid institutions, Jharkhand can show India how to scale up inclusive growth.”
As India aims for a developed nation by 2047 under Viksit Bharat, this event highlighted a key point: True progress comes from rethinking development with fairness at its core, fueled by teamwork, and driven by those often overlooked.
The/Nudge Institute fights poverty by building strong livelihoods. It partners with social entrepreneurs, women, farmers, tribals, and youth on rural development, agriculture, skills training, and economic inclusion. Backed by over 100 philanthropists, 40 companies, and 15 foundations, the group works with 15 government bodies toward a poverty-free India.
Manipal Foundation, the charitable side of the Manipal Education and Medical Group, funds projects in education, healthcare, women empowerment, skills, employability, and the environment. In 2025-26 alone, it helped over 13,000 students in 120+ schools and 2,000+ patients.
Manipal Tata Medical College (MTMC) in Jamshedpur, launched in 2020, offers top medical training through a unique partnership between Tata Steel and MAHE Manipal—the country’s first private-private medical collaboration under Medical Council of India rules. It provides 200 MBBS seats yearly, with Tata Main Hospital as its teaching facility.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
