About Us

Once upon a time, Milind Thatte used to be a journalist based in the metropolis of Mumbai. He came across the tribal villages in forests of Jharkhand while roaming there as a journalist. This first-hand exposure to tribal life and forests changed his life track. He gave up journalism and volunteered full-time for FTS – an NGO working for elementary education in tribal villages. His three years as a full-time activist earned him immense exposure. He lived, walked, ate with the forest people.It was no wonder that he learnt their languages and culture.

Milind returned briefly to city life and found that his skills as a communicator could be used for the people he loved. He worked with a team of consultants and developed the first-ever Information-Communication strategy that the State had for involving tribal communities in participatory water supply projects. He continues to be a communication consultant to development initiatives by both Government and NGOs. He is currently developing the communication strategy for State of Maharashtra to involve farmers in community groundwater management.

His profession has always lost its race with his passion. With a rare combine of rationale and spirit, he founded a voluntary organization – Vayam – with the help of his friends. Vayam’s activists are working tirelessly in the tribal villages of Maharashtra, developing young leaders with a strong faith in democratic process and decentralized development.

This book is a result of Milind’s journey to 30 tribal villages scattered over three states. But the power of his words is derived from the 10 years that he has lived with the forest-dwelling tribes.