Saurabh Hatkar (BE,MSW)

Thesis title: Unraveling the Process of Identity Transition and its Impact on the Lives and Livelihoods of the Shepherd Dhangar Communities in Maharashtra, India.

Biography

Background

Born into the Nomadic Pastoral Dhangar community, I, a first-generation learner, initially pursued a path in technical engineering. However, fueled by a passion for social justice, I transitioned into the realm of social work, determined to advocate for the rights of nomadic and pastoral communities.

As a pioneer from my community, I established the first shepherd-led organization in the state of Maharashtra, aiming to address the systemic challenges faced by pastoralists. Through over 200 public gatherings, I endeavored to raise awareness and empower my fellow pastoralists.

My advocacy efforts and protests were instrumental in influencing policy changes, notably contributing to the establishment of shepherd-led policies in Maharashtra. Furthermore, my relentless advocacy bore fruit when the allocation of foreign scholarship seats for Other Backward Classes increased from 50 to 75, a testament to the impact of grassroots activism.

In addition to my activism, I also utilized the power of the written word, contributing columns to local newspapers, shedding light on the intricacies of nomadism and pastoralism, and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities

CV

PDF icon 155822.pdf

Qualifications

  • 2023-Ongoing- PhD in South Asian Studies at The University of Edinburgh.
  • 2021-2023- Masters of Arts in Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship - TISS, Mumbai.
  • 2012-2015- Bachelor of Engineering in Comp.Sci and Engineering- Government  College of Engg, Chandrapur.

 

Responsibilities & affiliations

  1. 2017- 2023 President- Mendhpal Putra Army
  2. 2023-Ongoing Foreign Education Mentor- Eklavya India Foundation

Research summary

My research delves into the intersectionality of state, culture, and environment with the lives and livelihoods of shepherd Dhangar, a pastoral community of Maharashtra. This study also aims to the social and political movements of the Dhanagar community. As I belonged to the same community, this will be an Autoethnographic project.

Affiliated research centres

Conference details

CLSI Annual Action Research Conference-2023

Invited speaker

Prof Tristan McCowan

Organiser

Centre for Livelihoods and Social Innovations- Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai

 

Climate U- Transforming Universities for a Changing Climate

Papers delivered

Colonialism, conservation and Criminality- The impact of forest policies on Dhangar community.

1.  Best Fieldwork Student Award-2023 (TISS Mumbai)

2. Yashvantratna Award 2023 (Dhangar community Pune)

3. Samaj Bhushan Award 2017 (Dhangar Samaj Org Aurangabad)

This article was published on