When the System Fails, Who Really Fails?
In a powerful and deeply moving session moderated by Siraz Hirani, grassroots leaders Minaben Soni, Rajaratna, Sunitha Meti, Sahira, and Girija Keri brought raw and honest reflections from the frontlines of social change. The session broke away from traditional failure narratives by placing the spotlight squarely on those most affected when development systems falter – the communities themselves.
Each speaker shared personal stories of resistance, transformation, and relentless hope. From Minaben’s journey as a slum resident turned civic leader, to Rajaratna’s fierce advocacy for transgender rights and dignity in Dharwad, to Sunitha Meti’s entrepreneurial reinvention through organic farming after personal loss – their stories illustrated not only systemic gaps but also the power of self-led change. Sahira’s fight for disability rights and Girija Keri’s mission to financially empower rural women through SHGs highlighted the emotional labor and strategic thinking required to lead change without official mandates or titles.
The panel underscored how systemic failures, be it broken documentation systems, tokenistic government schemes, or lack of empathy in policy design, disproportionately burden vulnerable communities. Yet, it also revealed a roadmap of what truly works: trust-building, localized leadership, and listening deeply to those with lived experience. The session called for a fundamental reimagining of development, one that begins by recognizing grassroots leaders as the central architects of resilient and responsive systems.
