Amorphous Family Nexus: An Analytical Tool in Considering Community/m-MGO Haritika's Ties in Bundelkhand, Central India

Abstract

H aritika, M aanpura, N ear Com m unity solar pow er plant, M ahoba Road, N ow gong, D istrict C hhatarpur M adhya Pradesh, India; Abstract. In this paper we apply the notion of the amorphous family nexus (AFN) to examine the underinvestigated implications of family-like ties existing between minor NGOs (m-NGOs) and communities in sustaining the momentum of developmental activities despite resource scarcity and weak institutional support. AFN embodies symbolic connectedness and meaningful associations that actors enjoy with each other within and independently of the family nexus. Focusing on Bundelkhand-based m-NGO Haritika's (a non-profit-making research consultancy) initiatives centred on improving water quality and availability, we analyse the emotional dynamics inherent in the carefully crafted social bonds existing amongst fieldworkers, community members, and volunteers.Our findings reveal how their kindred camaraderie and displays of affection and trust, a result of their long-standing affiliations, are able to activate latent resources and creative energy as they seek to involve each other as active partners in enacting their daily routines.

Inclusive Participation in Integrated Watershed Development Programmes: Insights from Bundelkhand, Central India

“…For women, reasons such as not being taken seriously in the meetings, inconvenient timings of the meetings and lack of information about the meeting are prominent across the villages. The patriarchal structure of the villages also became evident with the finding that about 11.4% of women in Chhatpur and 10.2% in Parasai could not attend the meetings due to lack of support from family members (Kumar & Kumar, 2022;Saxena & Singh, 2014 Women participants from non-dominant communities particularly believed that their concerns were not adequately addressed either in the WC or village association meetings. One of the key informants from Bacchauni village observed that a part of her family landholding is submerged under water after the construction of the watershed until the festival of Deepawali in November.…”