Nami’s Learning Waves from DODM 2025

DODM 2025: Sprint Within a Marathon

Reflections from Class of 2026 – Nami

What a week!
After months of anticipation, DODM 2025 finally arrived and exceeded every expectation. From the green bus ride to Dr. Ambedkar International Centre to late-night conversations with changemakers, this week reminded me why I chose this path.

1,000+ delegates. 21 states. One mission: shaping India’s development future.

India is moving toward a $25T economy by 2047, generating $2T in development capital if we have the talent to manage it. This is truly a sprint within a marathon.

Learning Waves – Insights That Stuck

Research Methods: Making Assumptions Visible

With Priyanka Chhaparia, we explored how strong research frameworks make thinking logical, confirmable, repeatable, and open to scrutiny.

Key insight: Research isn’t just about finding answers, it’s about asking questions the right way.

Framework: Topic → Literature Review → Research Question → Method → Data → Analysis → Interpretation → Report

Nami Reflection: I realized how powerful it is to test, not just trust, our own assumptions.

Nami Notes : Research Methods Session 1

Data Analysis for Development

• 80% of studies omit clear sample-size rationale

• Focus on data quality, not just quantity

Nami Reflection: I now ask, “What story do these numbers tell?”

Writing in Discipline – Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

• Learn APA citations → tightened arguments

• Practice: Claim → Evidence → Explain reasoning

Nami Reflection: Every statement must earn its place.

Purpose Mindset – Aligning Values with Action

Conference Highlights – Frameworks to Carry Forward

The 5C Framework for Social Impact

Core – Stay mission-focused
Capacity – Invest in institutional strength
Collaboration – Partner across Samaaj, Sarkar, Bazaar
Catalytic Change – Bet big on disruptive ideas
Compassion – Keep human dignity at the center

Nami note: Capacity stood out for me; we often chase impact without strengthening our own systems.

Inspiring Stat: 600,000 women now serve as banking correspondents through India's rural livelihood programs (NRLM data referenced in session)!

Retail Fundraising – The Untapped Goldmine

• 47% of donations in India come from individuals, yet most NGOs overlook this.

• INSPIRE Framework:

  • List – Start with everyone you know

  • Inspire – Tell compelling stories with clear asks

  • Engage – Build relationships, not just annual reports
    Action step: Start with 3–5 metrics and one great story. Quality beats quantity every time.

"47% of Indian donations come from individuals. Are you asking them?"

Building Resilient Organizations – The 4 Pillars

• Strategy & Systems – Prepare, don’t just react

• Talent & Capacity – Invest in people and succession

• Funding & Resources – Diversify revenue streams

• Technology & Data – Use AI strategically, not superficially
  Maturity path: Aware → Active → Focused → Preemptive.

  
  Tip: Start with one pillar and build systematically.

Research Spotlight – Human Values in Water Policy

A Jaipur study showed three value types drive water behavior:

• Biospheric – environment-focused

• Altruistic – community-focused

• Egoistic – self-focused
  Policy insight: One-size-fits-all doesn’t work—design interventions for different value groups.

Data Maturity – From Collection to Decision-Making

74% of organizations don’t know where their data goes.

• Spiral Learning Model: Discover → Define → Develop → Deploy → Reflect.

• Foundation first: Build leadership commitment before buying expensive tech.

Action Items for This Week

For Practitioners:

• Strengthen one major argument using Claim-Evidence-Reasoning

• Start building your donor list (target 100+ contacts)

• Assess your org using the 4-pillar framework

• Choose 3–5 key metrics to track consistently

For Students/Researchers:

• Analyze one policy/program in your area

• Explore the human values framework in your community

• Start documenting your learning journey

For Leaders:

• Review your funding diversification strategy

• Schedule “future-proofing” sessions

• Invest in capacity-building beyond technical skills

Weekend Highlights – The Human Side of Learning

This week, we:

• Kicked off DODM 2025 with Ravi Sreedharan's opening address, followed by the Viksit Bharat plenary

• Formed 13 PLCs and co-created our Class of 2026 Code of Conduct

Over the weekend, we:

Reflection Questions

• Which framework from this week resonates most with your challenges?

• How can you use the human values approach in your work?

• What’s one small step you’ll take this week to build resilience?

Quote of the Week

Next Week’s Manifest

• Complete every reading and share honest reflections

• Check in on PLC peers with empathy

• Live your purpose: spot a problem → craft a solution → amplify what works

Until next week, keep making waves! 🌊
Nami - (Meenakshisundareswaran R )
Class of 2026, ISDM

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