NakkalPally Village Visit (for Problem Scoping)

On February 28, 2025, 42 first-year students from KG Reddy College of Engineering visited Nakkalapally village as part of their Social Innovation Course, organized by the Centre for Innovation and Social Transformation. Coordinated by Mr. B. Lingam, Assistant Professor and Innovation Ambassador, the visit aimed to engage with the community, understand their culture, and apply Design Thinking to identify challenges. Students interacted with farmers and weeding laborers, observed crops, and conducted silent empathy exercises to gain insights into rural life and livelihoods. Two key issues were scoped: the lack of efficient groundwater mapping and monitoring systems, leading to overextraction and water scarcity, and a shortage of skilled labor (electricians, plumbers, carpenters) due to migration, impacting household services. The visit fostered empathy, highlighted rural challenges, and set the stage for innovative solutions to enhance sustainable development.