To provide an additional dimension of empiricism to the understanding gained from the case studies, a cross-section of people involved in business, academic organisations, and social development interventions were interviewed to understand how they define empowerment. These are listed here.

M. S. Swaminathan, renowned agricultural scientist and policy maker:

‘Context and content are important in empowerment. Our perception and the other side's perception of empowerment have to be understood – the other side should feel he/she is empowered through whatever intervention is undertaken.’

Vinay Bharat-Ram, well-known industrialist:

‘Empowerment is the freedom to take risks, make mistakes, and come out with a plus at the end of it.’

Kameshwar Choudhary, faculty member, Institute of Rural Management, Anand:

‘Redistribution of power relations in all aspects at societal level is empowerment, which means eliminate the gap between people and move towards an egalitarian society. Whatever be your potential the system allows you opportunities to actualise it.’

Chandi Prasad Bhatt, social activist:

‘The capacity of people on a large scale to understand their own interests and are able to pursue them’.

Madhu Sarin, independent researcher and social activist:

‘The ability to make informed choices, the ability to participate in informed decision making. Create spaces for empowerment of people through people centric intervention and people's strategies for management.’

Pushpa Sundar, Executive Director, Indian Centre for Philanthropy:

‘Empowerment is rights and duties and a set of entitlements which everyone is assured of alongwith a set of responsibilities.

Responsible behaviour and freedom to access my rights without undermining somebody else's right.

My “good” and others “good” are interrelated.’