14/05/2026
Project Ground Up- a community engagement program was conducted by Levellers foundation team at Mhasali village, Chandrapur on 11th May 2026 with an aim to understand the life and housing conditions of the locals.
We believe a dialogue (sanvaad) is the first step to any transformation. With the mission to improve the living conditions of the community, our village walks and conversations is an attempt to go door to door and involve people's participation. It was indeed a very humbling experience at Mhasali to meet some age old dwellers and know first hand what it went into shaping this beautiful village.
Some of the highlights include-
- Back in the days the Water shortage issue was resolved by Late. Shri. Baliramji Gurpude, resident and former MLA by creating a lake and channeling water to the farms thus making the village truly sustainable and boosted farming and cattle rearing. Development thus led to formation of mills adding to livelihood sources.
- The village has close to 200 homes out of which 1/3rd are yet to be benefited from Gharkul schemes.
- From the essential amenities, while there is a school right in the heart of the village that has been instrumental in shaping the children however, the declining population and youth migrating to cities for job opportunities is reducing capacity to improve the living conditions and accelerate farming. The nearest hospital is only 40 KM away from the village, highlight the need for one in close proximity.
- People still love their mud houses for the comfort it gives and would opt for improvisation in the same over RCC homes due to rising temperatures and heat trap.
- The cemented pathways with no streetlights are a no brainer for discomfort during peak Summers and darkness during the night time.
- Although there is electricity in every home, there is frequent power cut which leads to unsafe situation for small kids and cattle due to its close proximity to forest and its wildlife and hence needs to be addressed.
- More importantly, the people here love their village and have a strong sense of community and belongingness thus helping each other which is a great Inspiration and when asked 'Gaon Jeevan