Monday, 25 May 2020

Uncovering the Veil of Ignorance -part II


Unveiling the Cover of Ignorance  Part II
Often armchair idealists( without excluding me) write preachy articles that sound sufficiently didactic and inspiring  to garner acclaim from friends and relatives even if their acclamation is just a polite and courteous response. I want to take the next step as a sequel to unveiling the cover of ignorance and this is  to explore new ways to make Mission Smart Villages successful.  This is an appeal to all the educated middle and upper middle class who even in the midst of pandemic remain safe and secure in the comfort of their homes- homes built over  the sweat and labour of all the migrants who are now retreating into their rural cocoon, unable to  withstand the scorching emptiness of life without work, money and shelter.
We need professionals from all walks of life. Architects, preferably green architects can design compact, elegant houses, spacious and not too large,schools and hospitals with available material in the villages . City teachers who are today trained to provide online lessons can extend their reach to cater to villages. Offline classes to be held in schools which  have to be provided smartboards and computers and trained teachers. The current crop of city teachers can provide the training to village teachers, in particular, in the use of digital technology and new pedagogies. Health workers in particular from paramedical units must serve the village clinics under the overall charge of a city doctor deputed to serve in the villages. It is essential to consult doctors like Dr.Devi Shetty from B’luru who had conceived a scheme of monthly insurance charge of 5/per member in each family .This will entitle the whole family  for free medicines, free consultation and if need arises free admission to  major city hospitals for treatment and surgery. A family of two adults, their parents and their children need to pay only 30/- per month for all medical requirements. Self help for women and upskilling of villagers in areas of production, cultivation and crafts unique to every village is urgent. The craft design and execution that combines utility and aesthetics must be made with an eye on export has to be taught by city bred connoisseurs of arts and crafts. The same applies for textiles. What is to be emphasied is to provide training for products for consumers at three levels- local, national and global. Agricultural sector  needs specialised techniques of growing and harvesting besides educating the farmers for rotation of crops, preferably to go in for cashcrops that may not require too much water. What is needed is to learn from success stories where cooperative ventures between the urban and rural have blended well. Late President Kalam had conceived of project PURA, providing urban amenities to Rural areas. Kalam’s PURA offers insights into making villages self sufficient, modern and organized to become smart viilages
 A dynamic, dedicated and liberal minded group of professional from different walks of life has to be formed and in consultation with the members of local Panchayat identify areas  unique to the village and work towards improving and modernizing them without sacrificing the local interests. This new approach must be  a mix of tradition well complemented by modern standards of living. Someone can take the initiative to have a web conference of interested professionals and work out strategies . There is no dearth of money in India. Finance should be the last worry. Those of us onthe right and wrong side of 70 and 80 can financially contribute and alos offer suggestions from their varied past experiences. What is needed is passion, commitment and love for humanity.

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