It was with some trepidation and many cautions from CSR staff that I agreed to conduct research on the Varanasi Project. Sweating through the blistering heat and trudging through the monsoon rains, I was amazed that CSR was able to keep its doors open. Though I didn't make the pilgrimage that many have made before me to the holy city of Varanasi, I was able to learn about the Varanasi Project from the CSR head office in Vasant Kunj. Through wonderful conversations with staff and terrific lunchtime debates, I felt like I quickly became a part of the CSR staff. The firsthand experience of studying such and interesting project shortly after it was completed was a fulfilling experience. I was able to convert theory into practice, bridging the important gap between academia and the real world.

Through my work at CSR, I was able to prepare a report on the Varanasi Project. Preparing that report has provided many valuable lessons for my own personal understanding of empowerment and development. Throughout my research, these lessons continued to shape my consideration of empowerment and development, and they will greatly inform my future research and Master's thesis. All of my experience working with non-governmental organisations in the past had been for health issues or political advocacy, and I had never witnessed the operation of a development agency. I was unable to intensively observe the internal operations of CSR or the various activities of the other departments, but I was curious about the collaboration that took place between the departments. Ultimately, I am grateful I was able to experience this internship at an organisation that was unlike anything I had worked with before