Sailee Rane

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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🚨 Myth Busted: CSR ≠ ESG ≠ Sustainability 🚨 “CSR hi toh ESG hai, aur wahi toh Sustainability hai.” Sounds like a Bollywood plot twist, but reality is more nuanced than a K-drama finale. Let’s decode the trio: 🔹 CSR- The ghar ki daal-roti 🍛 Legally mandated, community-focused, and served under Section 135 & Schedule VII. You have to do it. No skipping dinner here. 🔹 ESG- The mehmaan ke liye biryani 🍽️ Investor-driven, reputation-polishing, risk-measuring framework. Think ratings, reports, and disclosures. Smile for the camera 📸. 🔹 Sustainability- The home renovation plan 🏡 Future-proofing your house with solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and a compost bin that actually works. It’s the long game- balancing people, planet, and profit. CSR = Subset 🍲 ESG = Measurement 📊 Sustainability = Strategy 🚀 Aligning all three isn’t just good karma- it’s smart business. Because in the end, resilience isn’t built in boardrooms, it’s baked into everyday decisions.

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HARITIKA: A Journey of Water and Livelihood Transformation Since 1994 Founded in 1994, HARITIKA has been at the forefront of integrated rural development in Central India, with a core focus on addressing water scarcity—a major constraint to the region’s socio-economic growth. Water Resource Management Recognizing the acute water crisis in Bundelkhand and surrounding regions, HARITIKA conducted a pivotal research study titled: “Multi-Layered Management of Water Resources in Bhadar River Sub-Basin, Nowgong Block of Chhatarpur District.” This study laid the foundation for a large-scale implementation of solar-powered safe drinking water systems based on the Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) approach. Through these efforts, we established 24/7 water supply schemes across: Uttar Pradesh: Jhansi, Agra, Lalitpur, Mahoba Madhya Pradesh: Chhatarpur, Vidisha, Betul, Damoh, Katni, Panna, Barwani Rajasthan: Baran, Churu, Tonk, Banswara Maharashtra: Dhule and Jalgaon (Aner, Bhadar, Karpia & Banne River Basins) Livelihood & Holistic Development Beyond water, HARITIKA has addressed the broader challenges of livelihood insecurity, especially in tribal and marginalized communities. We have introduced integrated development models such as: Wadi Development Project – Supporting sustainable tribal livelihoods through horticulture and agroforestry. Model Village Project – Developing infrastructure including electricity, education, sanitation, and roads. Water Replenishment Projects – Enhancing groundwater recharge and irrigation through eco-friendly technologies. These interventions have led to comprehensive rural transformation and economic upliftment in deeply underserved regions. Our Impact at a Glance Villages Covered: 2,550+ Safe Drinking Water Access: 10,42,000+ villagers Water Stored: 250+ billion liters Land Irrigated: 45,000+ hectares Target Communities: Women, SC/STs, marginal & small farmers, and children Through continuous grassroots engagement and a community-first approach, HARITIKA has become a catalyst for sustainable development across Bundelkhand and Central India.

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"Working in high temperatures can turn daily chores into a battlefield" Between 2010 and 2019 in India, temperature-related deaths rose by almost 10% among women. If current climate trends continue, heat-related deaths among Indian women could double by 2050. There is growing evidence that rising temperatures could affect certain aspects of reproductive health in women. Heat stress is known to interfere with the endocrine system, which disrupts hormonal balance; menstrual cycles and menopause can get impacted. For the 353 million Indian women of reproductive age, premenstrual symptoms are a (sometimes) monthly reality -- and it's never spoken about. Women in the agricultural workforce, in the informal sector -- work outdoors, often without shade. And we've not even started discussing unpaid care work - in hot kitchens cooking for the family, sometimes in poorly ventilated rooms. Major health programmes like the National Health Mission do not factor in environmental stressors like heat. Women are perceived as passive victims, rather than also mainstreaming gender at levels of planning. Let me add the layer of access to your thinking, as you read the article: access to cooling systems, restrooms, clean water for drinking (+ cooling) and basic sanitary needs -- the mind boggles. https://lnkd.in/dYfBBjtU Thank you Sharon Sarah T. from the Observer Research Foundation for this #commentary linking climate change and women's health, for Mongabay India. cc Dr. Nilanjan Ghosh Shreekant Gupta and Kundan Pandey #ClimateChange #HeatAndHealth

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