Development Alternatives Group

The Development Alternatives Group is a social enterprise and think tank organisation based in New Delhi, India involved in sustainable development.^[1]

Development Alternatives Group

Founded	1982
Founder	Ashok Khosla and Christian deLaet
Type	Social Enterprise (Not-for-profit)
Focus	Sustainability, Environment, Development
Headquarters	New Delhi, India
Area served	Worldwide
Employees	340

It is composed of divisions that focus on the fields of green economic development, social empowerment and environmental management.^[2]

History

The Development Alternatives Group was established in 1982 as a social enterprise setup by Ashok Khosla to create sustainable solutions for social and economic development.

In November 2022, Development Alternative hosted an event on creating green-enterprises.^[3]

Group

The Development Alternatives Group comprises the not-for-profit flagship Society for Development Alternatives (DA), the business-oriented incubator Technology and Action for Rural Advancement (TARA), and its commercial subsidiaries, which include TARA Machines and Tech Services (TMTS), TARA Environmental Services Pvt Ltd (TARAenviro), TARAhaat Information and Marketing Services Ltd (TARAhaat), TARA Nirman Kendra (TNK) and DESI Power Orchha Pvt Ltd (DESI Power).^[4]

TARA Machines and Tech Services (TMTS)

TARA Machines and Tech Services Pvt. Ltd., delivers green business solutions to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for building construction, waste recycling, and handmade paper production. TMTS is a specialist company in Eco-concrete Technology, Eco-Kiln Technology, Fly Ash Technology, and Recycling Technology.

TARAhaat Information and Marketing Services Ltd (TARAhaat)

Launched in 2000, TARAhaat Information and Marketing Services Ltd. introduced Information Technology (IT) services in rural India.^[5] These services include literacy, vocational skills, and other products needed in rural communities.^[6]

TARA Environmental Services Pvt Ltd (TARAenviro)

Incorporated in 2008, TARAenviro, a part of the Development Alternatives Group, is a private company that markets water testing kits and filters under the Jal-TARA brand, which helps test the potability of water and offers cost-effective solutions for improving water quality.^[7]

TARAenviro products:

• Jal – TARA Water Testing Kits^[8]
• Jal – TARA Water Filters^[9]
• TARA Aqua-check vials^[10]

Development Alternatives Programs

Radio Bundelkhand

Based at TARAgram Orchha, DA’s Technology Centre at Tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh, Radio Bundelkhand is an ICT-based community radio initiative started by Development Alternatives (DA) and jointly managed by the local community and DA.^[11][12]

References

1. Bureau, The Hindu (9 December 2022). "'Most rural youngsters aspire to become entrepreneurs'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 December 2022. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
2. "Development Alternative's trialogue 2047 focuses on co-creating Local Green Economies for Building Back Better". ANI News. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
3. "Development Alternative's trialogue 2047 focuses on co-creating Local Green Economies for Building Back Better". ANI News. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
4. "DESI Power". Development Alternatives Group. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
5. San Miguel, Stephanie. "Connecting Rural India to the Internet: The Challenges of Using VSAT Technology". SD Webworks. Sustainable Development Communications Network. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
6. "TARAhaat". Development Alternatives Group. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
7. "TARAenviro". Development Alternatives Group. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
8. "TARAenviro". Development Alternatives Group. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
9. "TARAenviro". Development Alternatives Group. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
10. "TARAenviro". Development Alternatives Group. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
11. "Radio Bundelkhand – an initiative of Development Alternatives (DA)". Stockholm Challenge 2010. Archived from the original on 21 November 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
12. "India's first rural reality show on Radio Bundelkhand paves way for organic farming revolution". Business Standard. 25 July 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.