VISION AND MISSION
INDÉ’s work across various domains, scales and geographies has allowed us rich experiences and learnings towards qualitative improvement in the well-being of society. Through Sattva, this larger vision would be advanced via the lens of knowledge creation and dissemination towards framing contemporary problems and evolving/ designing / arriving at solutions. Central to the approach of Sattva is the engagement with and relevance of traditional knowledge systems, their applications in the past and their relevance to contemporary contexts.
In attempting to bring in focus and some loose boundaries, our mission is to engage in action research, policy advocacy, capacity enhancement (of government and non-government stakeholders) in the larger space of development, planning and environmental design and management. A value addition that Sattva aims towards is breaking the silos of research – action; policy- practice- documentation- advocacy; problem framing and solutions, through its work.
INITIATIVES
Process Documentation and Archiving
The inherent goal is to preserve a knowledge base for posterity. This implies documenting the process, comprising of underlying ethics and principles, for any project undertaken by us. Archiving this knowledge base that leads to the final output occupies a significant place in the journey of any project right from inception to implementation. The outcome is, forming a narrative for each geography which constitutes the understanding of traditional knowledge systems and their current day relevance, followed by alternative sustainable solutions, which help in addressing various identified exogenous and endogenous challenges. This is being done in various mediums that are much more communicable in nature, for people to build resilience and capacities.
Action Research
As stated in our mission, it is important to break the silos between action and research. Thus, we embark upon a path that combines action and research, so conceived to be bipolar mechanisms, under one umbrella. For the same, we undertake works where research is commenced and taken forward through on ground actions, which are then packaged into various implementable tangible outputs. It is a simultaneous process of taking action and doing research, which are linked together by critical reflection.
Knowledge Creation and Dissemination
Under this initiative, we work towards framing contemporary problems and evolving/ designing / arriving at solutions. The larger goal is to share this knowledge (as different from information) openly, without caveats, without copyrights. To ensure maximum impact, it is envisaged that the output is in at least one (as appropriate to the geography) Indian language. The ambition is to enable access through written and oral forms, formal and informal, using multiple media (print, video, audio, graphic, electronic, and physical)
Policy Advocacy
We engage with a wide range of activities that have the potential to influence decision makers. To address the gamut of identified contemporary problems it is vital to engage with them in a way that “a solution for today shouldn’t exacerbate into becoming a new challenge for tomorrow”. This is where we come in foreground, with an approach to “integrate” or rather act as an interface/catalyst between various grassroot level challenges and policy level decisions.
Capacity Enhancement
Through capacity enhancement we aim to enhance capabilities of people and institutions in a sustainable manner to improve their competence and problem-solving capacities. This is methodically realized through mapping stakeholders, mapping risks and vulnerabilities, identifying skills, knowledge systems and lived experiences, and acting as a catalyst or bridge to facilitate dialogue between multiple stakeholders. Our initiatives of process documentation and archiving, and knowledge creation and dissemination, act as tools for capacity enhancement.
TRUSTEES
ANJALI
Anjali K Mohan is an Urban and Regional Planner (SPA, New Delhi) with PhD in Public Policy and (e)Governance (IIITB) & Partner at Integrated Design (INDÉ). Dr. Mohan’s research and practice straddles development, institutional and policy frameworks, urban planning and management and information and communication technologies and development (ICTD).
DEAN D' CRUZ
Co-Founder at Mosaic Design Combine Dean D’Cruz is the recipient of numerous awards in architecture and design and is deeply involved in academics, being on the board of studies for several design institutions. Dean is very committed in participatory public institutions and has held several terms as President of his Communidad at Saligao, working on development issues for the village.
H S SUDHIRA
Sudhira has a PhD from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. He has established and leads Gubbi Labs, a private research collective that works on a host of domains ranging from sustainable ecosystems to liveable settlements using trans-disciplinary approaches. He is a researcher and a neo geographer using and propagating free-and-open-source mapping tools, studying cities and ecosystems.
MOHAN
Mohan Rao is an Environmental Design & Landscape architecture professional and Principal designer at Integrated Design (INDÉ). He is actively involved in master planning of existing & new settlements; ecological restoration/conservation; impact assessment of natural disasters, management & reconstruction; resource assessment & management; conservation & site interpretation of world heritage sites.
A R VASAVI
Social Anthropologist & Founder at Punarchith Collective, A R Vasavi’s academic interests are in the sociology of India, educational studies, and agrarian studies. Currently, she is juggling academic interests in writing and webinar-based lectures and a life in the village of Nagavalli, Chamarajanagar. She plans to retire soon so that the local team at Punarchith will emerge as resource persons and take the work forward.
SANJIV KUMAR
Founder Secretary of Takshila Educational Society, Founder of Parivartan—an integrated rural community development initiative in Bihar, Founder Trustee of Ektara—an endeavour dedicated to children's literature and art working from Bhopal, Founder Trustee of Arthshila—a multi art space & Founder Trustee of Ashoka University, Sonipat, Sanjiv is an educator and an ardent believer of investing time, resources and collaborative efforts on ideas worth spreading and sustaining for the people.
