DDS started as the commitment of a group of professionals to the people of its present project region (Zaheerabad) to continue a rural development project which was abandoned by an industrial house due to its own politico-economic compulsions. The earliest objectives of DDS was to combine ecological and employment parameters to regenerate the livelihoods of the people in the area. It was also transfer of people-oriented technology. Gradually it has evolved into a programme which has three guiding principles : gender justice, environmental-soundness and people's knowledge.

DDS is a grassroots orgnanisation working with Sanghams (village level groups) of poor women most of who are dalits. The society has a vision of consolidating these village groups into strong and vibrant organs of primary civil society and federate them into a strong pressure lobby for women, poor and dalits. A host of continuing dialogues, debates, educational and training programmes facilitated by the Society with the people tries to translate this vision into a reality.

Alongside this ideological role the Society is also trying to reverse the historical process of degradation of the environment and people's livelihood system in this region through a string of land-related activities like permaculture, community grain fund, community green fund, community gene fund and collective cultivation through land lease etc. These activities, alongside taking on the role of earthcare is also resulting in human care by giving the women a new-found dignity and profile in their village communities.

When DDS was founded in 1983, there were six founder members all of who were professionals in various fields : Development Economy, Social Science research, Management Sciences, Communication Technology, Social Anthropology and Developmen Management. The vision of the society then was to give a leadership to the community groups from outside and facilitate a humane transfer of technology.

As the Society grew more people joined from outside : agriculture engineers, permaculturists, foresters, environment scientists, psychologists and feminists. Almost everyone from outside.

Slowly as the fascination and curiosity of the outsiders for rural work waned, one after another they withdrew slowly and remained where they belonged : in urban settings, doing what they would do best : management, consultancies, teaching, networking and such other activities.

The gap left in the internal leadership of the Society is slowly being filled by the real stakeholders of the project : the rural people. A large team of farmers, artisans, barefoot agriculture scientists, foresters, watershed specialists, farm engineers, communicators and such other cadres has emerged in DDS. An overarching leadership of some extremely capable women has slowly taken over the day to day management of various activities. They are also acting as a Think Tank for the core management team of the Society.

This is the leadership which is sustainable and long lasting. More and more they have proved that their capabalities are beyond the ordinary imagination of the so called development experts from urban areas. Today these women can negotiate with anyone on any issue : from food security to video production. They have proved their extraordinary mettle in all these fields.

It is on this leadership that the Society will rely more and more. Bringing more and more outsiders is a harrowing task. A lot of energy and time is invested on them. But the call of the new 'globalisation' in development sector becomes irresistible for these people. The huge salaries, professional fees and profiles are so attractive that before one has finished sculpting them, they are gone. This is most unsustainable. Therefor relying on the real stakeholders in rural areas is not only sustainable but also most satisfying. It also challenges the conventional stereotyped thinking on leadership by facilitating a real rural leadership.

DDS, as an organisation which is looking for alternatives in all fields, also feels that this is the way forward.

Deccan Development Society Board

Prof G.S. Aurora (Chairperson)
One of the founder members of DDS and a distinguished social scientist. He was formerly professor and dean of Sociology of the most coveted university in the country, the Central University of Hyderabad. Later worked as Professor Emeritus at the famous Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore. Led a famous research project on Structural Adjustment and its Impact on Rural Poor in India.

Dr (Ms) Rukmini Rao (Director)
Active in women's movement. Consultant to several national and international development organisations; serves on the committees of several governmental and non governmental development organisations.

Mr M.V. Sastry
One of the founder members and Honorary Advisor of DDS and a most respected development veteran. Also heads the Centre for World Solidarity, which networks over 150 NGOs in four Indian States.

Prof (Ms) Shanta Sinha (Director)
Recipient of the most coveted honour of Padmashri from the Government of India; Professor of Social Science at the Central University of Hyderabad. A distinguished child rights activist. She heads a famous NGO MV foundation, which works for children and education.

Ms Jamuna (Director)
Very active in women's movement. Has been a well-known journalist writing on issues concerning women and development. Has been a trainer in great demand on issues of gender and NRM. State Gender Coordinator in Indira Kanti Patham, Government of Andhra Pradesh

Mr Raghu Cidambi (Treasurer)
One of the founder members of DDS and a Management Consultant by profession. Works for a major media group in Hyderabad.

Mr Jagannanda Reddy (Director)
Development worker; works on land-based issues. Has been working with Deccan Development Society for the last 20 years.

Mr P.V. Satheesh (Secretary)
One of the founder members of DDS, he has been working with the Society for the last 20 years. Currently the General Secretary of the Society and the Director of the Zaheerabad Project. Has been an internationally renowned developmental communication specialist. Of late has been one of the important spokesmen for the civil society in India on the issues of gender and food security and ecological agriculture. Has also specialised on participatory methodologies. Has either initiated or been a key member of a number of networks on food security, participation, ecological agriculture and those networks fighting against genetic engineering, globalization, WTO, TRIPs and such other inequitable international treaties.

Prof B P Sanjay (Member)
Professor of Communication and Dean, Sarojini Naidu School of Communication and Fine Arts at the Central University of Hyderabad. Earlier he worked as Director in Indian Institute of Mass Communications, New Delhi. Has been a teacher and writer on the issues of Development and Development Communications.

Ms Akhileswari (Member)
Correspondent, Deccan Herald, Andhra Pradesh. Was previously Deccan Herald's US correspondent in Washington. She has also worked at the National Institute of Rural Development and at Osmania University of Hyderabad. Has been consistently involved in Development Communication.

Dr Vinod Pavarala (Member)
Internationally known expert on participation, development and communication is the Dean of the Sarojini Naidu School of Communication and Fine Arts at the Central University of Hyderabad, one of the five national universities in India. He has also taught courses in communication for a number of universities in India and abroad. Holds a Doctorate in communication from the prestigious Syracuse University, USA. He has been associated with number of forums on Community Radio. Has authored the Guidelines for Community Radio for the Government of India.