54th Shodh Yatra in Jharkhand

• 07 Mar 2026

Why in News? 

The 54th Shodh Yatra, organised by SRISTI (Society for Research and Initiatives for Sustainable Technologies and Institutions), concluded in Jharkhand after documenting grassroots innovations, traditional knowledge, and indigenous food practices in rural areas. 

Key Points: 

• Shodh Yatra: It is a grassroots innovation exploration initiative organised by SRISTI, which involves walking through rural and remote regions to identify local innovations, traditional knowledge, and sustainable practices developed by communities. 
  • The yatra was led by Anil Kumar Gupta, the convenor of SRISTI and a pioneer in promoting grassroots innovations. 
  • This was conducted in February 2026, covering a distance of about 125 km from Aurapath in Dumri to Bendor in Chainpur in Jharkhand. 
• Villages Covered: The journey passed through 27 villages, enabling interaction with rural communities and documentation of local practices and innovations. 
  • During the yatra, researchers documented about 53 different species of edible plants, indigenous crops, and traditional food practices used by local communities.  
• Community Recognition: The event also honoured local innovators and centenarians, acknowledging their contributions to preserving traditional knowledge systems. 
• Significance: The Shodh Yatra helps identify grassroots innovations, preserve indigenous knowledge, and promote sustainable development, while connecting rural creativity with researchers, policymakers, and institutions. 

Read More: Sustainable Development