About Us
Our Story
In 2015, under the leadership of Shri. N. Prasanth IAS, a simple yet powerful question emerged from Kozhikode’s corridors of governance: Could compassion drive administration? Could young citizens become collaborators, not just critics?
That question set a quiet change in motion. The District Collector’s Internship Programme (DCIP) began as an experiment — an invitation for young minds to step inside governance and understand how real change takes shape. The first thirty-five interns came with curiosity more than certainty, learning by doing, listening before leading, and discovering that empathy could be as powerful as expertise.
Over time, the experiment grew into one of India’s pioneering district-level youth–government immersion programmes, built on trust between administrators and young people. With IIM Kozhikode as an early institutional partner, the programme gained structure and academic grounding, setting a model for participatory governance. Guided by successive District Collectors and mentors, it evolved with each phas , shaped by their vision, strengthened by their trust, and sustained by a shared belief that when young minds and governance work together, compassion becomes action. DCIP continues to offer something rarer than rewards ; a chance to learn, serve, and shape change from within.
The question hasn’t changed. The answer has been proven: young citizens, given responsibility and guided by compassion, don’t just witness governance — they strengthen it.
A Decade of Change
"From an idea born in Kozhikode to a decade of youth shaping governance with compassion."
Ten years of DCIP have been ten years of shared purpose. What began as an experiment in 2015 has grown through changing times, crises, and collaborations — shaped by each Collector’s vision, each intern’s effort, and the collective spirit of Kozhikode. This is the story of a district where compassion became culture, and governance learned to listen.
2015 - 2017
Where it began — turning an idea into experience
The Beginning of an Idea
Led by: Shri. N. Prasanth IAS
DCIP began in 2015 as a small group of young interns entering the everyday rhythm of governance to learn by doing. What started as a trial soon grew into a working model of collaboration, guided by the belief that compassion could be practical. This phase defined DCIP’s character: rooted in Compassionate Kozhikode, powered by community partnership, and driven by the conviction that change begins from within systems, not outside them.
“An experiment that changed how governance could engage with people.”
2017 - 2018
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Led by: Shri. U. V. Jose IAS
DCIP entered its next chapter with growing clarity and confidence. What began as an experiment now found rhythm and purpose. Recognising its potential, the new leadership nurtured the programme further, giving young minds greater responsibility. Students from across Kerala joined in, bringing energy to community projects and governance initiatives. From awareness drives to canal restoration, interns became trusted hands on the ground. When crises struck, they worked alongside officials with quiet determination proving that compassion could lead as much as it could serve.
“When purpose became shared and youth became the district’s new strength.”
The Spirit of Participation
From experiment to collective movement
2018 - 2020
Led by: Shri. S. Sambasiva Rao IAS
This phase defined one of DCIP’s lasting values
co-creation. What began as collaboration grew into a shared process of designing and improving governance itself. Interns moved from assisting projects to shaping them, contributing research, ideas, and communication strategies that strengthened public programmes. Through initiatives like Nammude Kozhikode, technology became a tool for transparency and trust, turning citizen feedback into participative action. These years marked DCIP’s quiet transition from a support programme to a participatory platform proving that governance works best when everyone helps create it.
“Compassion, data, & dialogue shaping governance together.”
Co-Creating Kozhikode
Co-creating the Kozhikode way
2021 - 2023
Led by: Dr. Tej Lohith Reddy IAS
By this stage, DCIP had become woven into Kozhikode’s governance ecosystem. Armed with field experience and a close understanding of local realities, interns began assisting the District Administration in ideating, developing, and implementing programmes across sectors. From gender inclusion and public health to youth engagement and environmental action, they worked as creative problem-solvers within the system. This phase reflected a quiet confidence — where youth voices helped shape projects that blended compassion with design, and learning with leadership.
“From observing change to designing it — the DCIP way.”
From Insight to Innovation
Where ideas found purpose, and purpose found form
2023
Led by: Smt. A. Geetha IAS
This phase marked DCIP’s consolidation — refining its systems, documentation, and mentoring processes. The focus expanded beyond projects to the people who shaped them, with greater attention on the intern experience itself. New partnerships, structured learning modules, and collaborative spaces helped interns grow alongside the administration they supported. While contributions to district programmes continued, engagement deepened transforming DCIP into both a governance support system and a learning ecosystem rooted in compassion, discipline, and shared purpose.
“When systems matured, learning became part of the design”
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The Growth Framework
Strengthening processes, deepening purpose
2023 - present
Led by: Shri. Snehil Kumar Singh IAS
DCIP entered a renewed phase of purpose and reach. With expanded mandates and growing trust, it became an essential part of Kozhikode’s governance framework and a model replicated in over ten districts across Kerala. The programme strengthened its partnerships, deepened its work in inclusion, and placed people at the heart of every initiative. Each new collaboration reflected a decade of learning — proof that compassion, sustained over time, can build systems and shape communities.
“From one district’s vision to many districts’ inspiration.”
Expanding Horizons
Inclusion at heart, collaboration in action
2026 and Beyond
Ten years on, DCIP stands not as a project but as a living idea — that governance grows stronger when it listens, includes, and collaborates. What began in Kozhikode has now inspired similar initiatives across Kerala, carrying forward the same principles of service, participation, and empathy. With its expanding alumni network and growing partnerships, DCIP continues as a platform for public learning and collective problem-solving — reminding us that meaningful change is never finished; it only expands
“A decade done — a movement just begun.”
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From Programme to a movement
The journey continues — with compassion as compass
Each District Collector, mentor, and intern has added a chapter to this journey — shaping DCIP into a living bridge between governance and people. A decade on, the dialogue continues, guided by the same belief that began it all: compassion is not an emotion, but an administrative strength.
Compassion as Key, Gandhi’s Talisman as Compass
DCIP’s philosophy begins with a simple truth — governance has meaning only when it touches the lives of those who need it most. Inspired by Gandhi’s Talisman, every idea, project, and decision is measured against one question: Does it help the weakest, the unheard, the unseen?
For us, compassion is not sentiment — it’s a system of thought and action.
It shapes how interns listen, respond, and lead within governance.
By combining empathy with efficiency, and values with vision, DCIP turns Gandhi’s timeless principle into everyday practice — where service becomes strength, and governance becomes human.
Our Values
The principles that guide every step of our journey.
DCIP was built on the belief that governance is strongest when guided by empathy and integrity. Each value reflects how we work — in the field, in meetings, and in moments of decision — where compassion meets accountability, and learning turns into service.
Compassion
Collaboration
Co-creation
Innovation
Impact
Integrity
Our Guiding Beliefs
Our Partners
