New Delhi, June 8: A unique initiative is bridging the gap between education and tourism in India, involving 50 villages across 10 states. The program, spearheaded by Local Narratives, aims to provide foreign students with immersive learning experiences while benefiting local economies.
Students from Australia’s University of Newcastle recently visited Totopara village in West Bengal, home to the Toto tribe, the world’s smallest tribe. The village, struggling for recognition, required additional space for its only school and sought to establish a café run by local women. During their 10-day visit, the 14-member team from Christ University in Bengaluru collaborated with the women to create a pricing model and menu for the café.
This initiative generated ₹600,000 for the village, enabling the construction of the school room and the opening of the café. Local Narratives has transformed tourism from mere entertainment into a learning opportunity.
According to Vaishnavi Somani, founder of Local Narratives, the initiative began in 2021, focusing on community-based tourism that allows participants to live like locals and understand village life. The program has prepared 50 villages for hosting students, providing them with economic benefits. Following a student visit to Sunkiya in Uttarakhand, India’s first community tourism playbook was developed, aiding local tourism. In another instance, women weavers in Asnora, Goa, were connected with buyers, boosting their income.
Additionally, IIM Bengaluru has approved this initiative as a credit program. Vaishnavi explains that a five-day curriculum has been created, with Local Narratives serving as co-faculty. Students will receive three credits for learning about social entrepreneurship in these villages.