Hope, practice, and the work of social change

Hope, practice, and the work of social change

I watch 77-year-old Akhila Sivadas standing at the front of the crowd gathered outside a faecal sludge treatment plant just outside Bhubaneswar, Odisha. She is doing what I have often seen her do during field visits, conferences, and panels: asking questions. Even when her questions appear difficult, her presence is easy and gentle. She always makes time for conversation when I approach her between conference sessions or during Zoom calls that s…