Explore Programs

Immerse-Engage-Learn-Network

Register

January 25 – February 03, 2025

- An initiative by Vision India Foundation

About the Program

Good Governance Yatra is an 11-day immersive travel programme for future public leaders to acquaint themselves with model governance projects and interact with accomplished public policy functionaries in India. It is a unique opportunity for tomorrow’s leaders to peek into the finer works of the present government and gain inspiration from their vision and implementation model. The Yatra aims to create ‘Saarthis’ or the ‘Ambassadors of Governance’ to spread the word about the outstanding performance of governmental and civil society institutions. 

Good Governance Yatra is modeled on immersive learning practices and provides an experiential learning platform for aspiring change-makers. It helps facilitate first-hand exposure to good governance models, an opportunity to interact with visionaries behind the project and to learn how to resolve the complexities that lead to policy inaction, among a host of other things.

Key Visits and Interactions

Interaction with senior Union & state ministers

Site visits to Noida Special Economic Zone & Jewar International Airport

Interactions with public representatives about good governance practices across the state of Uttar Pradesh

A visit to the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir & interaction with the senior functionaries of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teertha Kshtra Trust

Interactions with senior government officials spearheading Uttar Pradesh government’s initiatives to develop multiple industrial corridors spread across various regions of the state.

Deep insights into the transformation of the religious economy of Uttar Pradesh via development of grand temple complexes and overhaul of entire townships surrounding them.

Objectives of the Programme

  • Gain first-hand exposure to good governance projects by working on the ground to further the development of investigation, questioning, and critical thinking in yourself.
  • Learn from a plethora of activities, relevant case studies, group discussions, and presentations during the journey.
  • Interact with the visionaries and executives behind the projects and comprehend the intricacies of policy in action.
  • Discover why certain places have vast significance in civilizational history for occupying geographically strategic locations.
  • Develop your own truth-finding mechanisms and assessment skills to sift through the different and often, conflicting narratives regarding public policy issues.
  • Experience the political situation, economic scenario, social structure and local culture of the places from the capital to the countryside.
  • Understand the policy implications of calls for paradigm shifts in governance models through ideas such as ‘Viksit Bharat’, and an assessment of their impact at the state and local levels.

Experiences

Guided Discovery

Discover a region, its people, and its key governance agendas with your yatra-lead.

Role Model Interactions

Take insights and inspiration from role models behind the projects.

Place-Based Immersion

Immerse in oral histories and local cultures by visiting crucial historical sites and places of inspiration.

Community Engagement

Engage with a local organization or institution and help the community address its needs.

Case Studies

Encounter authentic problems, construct novel hypotheses, test for rest solutions, and interact with others to make sense of the world around you.

Your Learning Journey

Anchor

Set your learning boundaries in advance by ascertaining the aims and objectives of your visit. Align your unique skills and interests to the core idea behind the yatra – to learn about governance through hands-on experience. 

Experience

Provoke your meta-learning by immersing yourself in the real world, experience first-hand the complications and contradictions of the policy implementation processes. Ask questions and interact with the site and its environment. Discuss, chat and reflect with your peers.

Assimilate

Re-call, re-live and re-examine the complex learnings with your mentor and assess how and why one governance model may work over another.

Evaluate

Present and demonstrate composite learnings from the yatra to your mentors with well-articulated reflection papers and case-study reports.

Tentative Yatra Route

Delhi-Noida-Ayodhya-Varanasi-Prayagraj-Deotria-Lucknow
Covering 1500+ kms

Past Editions

2015

Gujarat Rajasthan Haryana Delhi

2016

Karnataka Andhra Pradesh Telangana Maharashtra (summer)

Madhya Pradesh Chhattisgarh Jharkhand Odisha (winter)

2017

Delhi Uttar Pradesh Bihar

2018

Goa Karnataka Kerala Tamil Nadu

2019

Delhi Haryana Rajasthan Gujarat

2021

Jammu & Kashmir Ladakh

Alumni Testimonials

  • “The experience, knowledge and learning could not have been any better than the 10 day journey undertaken. I definitely believe that my attitude towards ‘Governance’ changed drastically before and after this 10 days expedition. Knowing about the Government Projects is one thing and experiencing them by actually being there and interacting with the masterminds and the workers behind them is another.”

    Divya Rai
    (GGY December 2015 alumni)

  • “I participated in winter GGY back in 2016. It might sound redundant to reiterate, but one can’t speak enough about the richness of the experience.Only after being pushed beyond your limits, do you discover a part of yourself that you thought never existed. I also learnt the value of time. It’s amazing how every second of the Yatra was designed. The itinerary was a motley of both top-down and bottom-up aspects of development. Be yourself, stay curious, by the end of the Yatra you will definitely find a new version of yourself.”

    Jagriti Arora
    (GGY 2016 alumni)

  • “This is by far the most intellectually stimulating , intensive learning experience with an on-field exposure for anybody seeking to appreciate governance complexities packaged in 10 days. The Yatra is relevant for all ‘aspiring or acting change agents’ working in ‘any’ capacity; as well as for others like me motivated by the idea of being part of the nation building story in a more active role and being a citizen in the true sense and not just a passive taxpayer.”

    Abhay Kukreti

Eligibility

The Yatra is designed for dynamic individuals who are willing to build a career in the domain of public policy, governance, and public leadership.

GGY is appropriate for:

Dynamic Professionals who want to explore and enter the area of public policy and governance.

University Students and Scholars who wish to take up full-fledged careers in development studies and governance.

Civil Service Aspirants who wish to get first-hand exposure to governance & supplement their knowledge of this field.

Aspiring Changemakers who wish to experience e-governance, and hone their skills in this area.

NRIs and foreign citizens who wish to learn about Indian policy framework and governance.

International students & Development Professionals who want to understand Indian governance and development space.

Young Development Workers who wish to understand the intricacies of governance.

Guide to Travel

How to Prepare Yourself

The journey involves traveling to an altitude of 12,000 feet. To make the most of Good Governance Yatra we strongly recommend that you start an exercise regime at least a month prior to the trip which includes:

  • Daily brisk walking or jogging for 5 km.
  • Smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, and taking recreational drugs are strictly prohibited for the entire duration of the Yatra.

Packing Suggestions

As we will be traveling by bus, it is advisable to pack as light as possible. A bag with waterproof cover is needed and also to carry the daily luggage and frequently used items inside the bus. The rest of the items can be packed in a suitcase or a handbag. Due to the confines of space, it is necessary to keep luggage on the bus roof; therefore it is advisable to bring bags that are rain resistant and durable.

Weather

Weather conditions from May to September can be expected to be dry and sunny, with precipitation in August. Daytime temperatures can be as high as 20 to 25 degrees centigrade. Night-time temperatures can drop as low as 0 to -5° Celsius.

Rashtram Offers

  • Dedicated Rashtram team to manage the entire yatra.
  • Assistance and consultation from a doctor traveling along with the delegation.
  • Basic but comfortable rooms on a twin sharing basis.
  • Entry fee for all places on the itinerary.
  • Bus travel from Haryana to Uttar Pradesh throughout the course of the Yatra.
  • A collection of select photos will be shared with you after the Yatra.

Note: Rashtram takes the utmost care to make this Yatra an unforgettable memory and a treasure trove of valuable experiences in governance to be cherished for a lifetime.

Proviso: Please note that this yatra is not advised for pregnant women and those suffering from chronic health problems such as epilepsy, heart ailments, uncontrolled blood pressure and diabetes, asthma, chronic infections, psychological problems, and physical disabilities.