Robbin Sharrma

India's ambitious urban future depends fundamentally on strong and resilient governance. However, an emerging concern is the growing reliance on external consultants, which, if not strategically managed, could impact institutional capacity and long-term sustainability. The increasing integration of a "consultant culture" within public institutions and policy think tanks—often with unclear lines of accountability—risks diluting institutional memory and weakening policy continuity. Consultants undoubtedly bring specialised expertise and play an essential role in bridging knowledge and capacity gaps. However, their engagement must complement—not substitute—the core functions of public institutions. The critical policy roles and policy narratives should remain within the purview of a strong and capable public system. There is an urgent need to recalibrate this balance by investing in internal capacity development and by establishing robust standards for how consultants are engaged. Such measures will help ensure that external expertise reinforces governance frameworks, rather than unintentionally undermining them. I am pleased to share that some of these reflections were featured in Dainik Jagran today. #UrbanIndia #PublicAdmin #CapacityFirst #StrategicGovernance #DainikJagran #UrbanGovernance #India #CapacityBuilding #InstitutionalIntegrity

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Empowering Women through Sustainable Tourism in Niwari, Madhya Pradesh In the heart of Madhya Pradesh, the villages of Laadpura Khas and Radhapur in Niwari District are witnessing a quiet revolution — led by women, driven by sustainability. Thanks to the visionary efforts of Haritika, a grassroots organization pioneering community-based sustainable tourism, women in these villages have found a new path to empowerment. What was once a region heavily reliant on traditional agriculture, yielding limited income, has now transformed into a thriving tourism-based micro-economy. Today, through responsible tourism: Women are earning ₹8 to ₹10 lakhs annually – a figure that was unimaginable through farming alone. They have become economically independent, taking pride in managing homestays, guiding tourists, preserving local crafts, and showcasing their culture. The initiative has brought national and global recognition: First Prize in Responsible Tourism by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India Honored by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism. This success story is just the beginning. Our Ask: Support Us to Scale the Impact Haritika is now seeking support from donors, development partners, and CSR foundations to replicate this model in other tribal villages, particularly those around wildlife reserves and ecologically sensitive areas. Your support can: Enable skill development and entrepreneurship training for tribal women Help develop eco-friendly tourism infrastructure (homestays, sanitation, trails) Promote conservation-friendly livelihood alternatives Strengthen local governance and participation Together, we can: Preserve culture and nature Promote dignified livelihoods Empower women to be leaders of change Let us join hands to create more Laadpuras and Radhapurs — villages that stand as shining examples of what sustainable, inclusive tourism can achieve.  https://lnkd.in/gWePyAsj

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