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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