Future of India lies in its Villages.

In a small village of Haryana, Raju, a 25-year-old son of a farmer, wanted to leave their village to migrate to a nearby city. On hearing this, his father argued by saying the richness of their village livelihood. The modern machinery they are using on farms, the various mobile apps they are gaining knowledge from, the credit they are receiving as incentives, the support they aspire from family and kinship, the peace they cherish, and the harmony they live in with human beings as well as animals.

This showed the importance of his village to Raju, who then decided to help his father with his education and skills. Mahatma Gandhi dreamt of an ideal village “Ram Rajya” – a self-sufficient village as the home of the nation. He very well predicted that “Future of India lies in its villages”.
This rural society, though neglected in the past, is regaining its lost importance. Not only revitalizing but becoming the wheel of the wagon that forms the ride future.
This essay will address the temporal aspect related to villages, the importance of this society, various problems associated, and innovative solutions to ensure its pace on the path of success in a sequential manner. For while the future lies in villages, it is yet migrating to cities for their future development.
Villages have always been a unique niche of people with different values, customs, occupations, beliefs, etc. From urban society of Indus Valley civilization, villages developed as Vedic age progressed. The importance of cows by Aryans added another fur to the hat. The crafts of terracotta, pottery, idols; the culture of marriages, birth; the emergence of religion (Buddhism, Jainism), all glorified the illumination villages showed to India and the world.
The condition, however, worsened with the coming of Mahajanapadas. The preference for urbanization and kingship shifted the focus away from small villages. The social evils of sati, purdah, caste system, orthodoxy, patriarchy pushed villages further into the corner. Initiatives of social reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Jyotirao Phule, K. Kelappan, M.G. Ranade, etc., were targeted to improve this condition by raising voice against evils towards equality. Britishers further pushed the villages of India into a vicious cycle of Poverty (Impoverishment) leaving the people no choice but to migrate. Lest the importance of villages be well known, India would have been a “National village” with diluted borders.
Village as torchbearer
The reverse migration of people from cities to villages again highlights the everlasting security a village provides. The brotherhood & fraternity among people can never be doubted in this small segment of society.
For Charles Dickens rightly said,
“When a man knows a man, the feeling of brotherhood arises.”
An individual lives in warmth of family; The family coordinates with vibrations of society; The society connects with aspirations of nation and The NATION developer in unison.
Agriculture forms the main source of livelihood (77% depend as per Economic Survey 2019 – 2020). Both intensive and Extensive cultivations ensure the food security of everyone. Handicrafts and artisanry so unique that it frightens the name of villages in world. eg. Phulkari sarees, Kullu shawls, etc.
This along with harmony with environment shows a sustainable way to live. secured Groves further cosign the religion with persecution of nation.
The inculcation of values in children and youth forms the basis other nations struggle for. The customs of touching feet of elders, empathy & compassion, polite Namaste, the allegorical learning from grandparents and the love of joint family prepares a child for the hurdles of life. Nelson Mandela rightly said,
“For development to progress, start with nation’s children.”
The institute of Gram Sabha and panchayat (as provided in constitution by 73rd amendment) also ensures the “Rule of people” along with “Rule of law”. Thus making a village, a complete region in itself.
The chains and hurdles
Idealism is still a dream; reality comes with heavy chains. A village ought to be a complete society still struggles for basic livelihood.
A woman has to walk hundreds of kilometers to fetch a pot of water for her family. She struggles against evils of child marriage, sati in one village while another village does not even let her experience life (female feticide). This torture alone with rocks of patriarchy and orthodoxy suffocates her aspirations to death. If raised voice, the faces exorcism from society and boycotted like some goods not worth for lining.
Politically the panchayats face lack of funds, functioning and functionaries.
The prevalence of khap panchayats further erodes the system of law.
In the economic sense, the dependence on agriculture and further on monsoons for irrigation make this a chance affair. Loss of crops, indebtedness, cycle of poverty raises the pressure on farmers. There are increased incidences of farmers’ suicides in rural areas.
Middlemen like moneylenders further exploit the downtrodden. Lack of basic facilities to live and poor penetration of technology (digital) makes it non-use in comparison to its counterpart – cities and urban areas. Poverty, Hunger, lack of education erodes it over again. Socially the caste system divides society into superior – inferior, discriminating over basic facilities like Temple entry, pond water civilization, food sharing etc. This along with other factors forms the push factors for migration deteriorating the value of villages
Break the chains and jump the hurdles-
The village of Raju (as in introduction) with all the amenities and benefits stopped him from looking at other sources and utilizing his skills for the betterment of family & village society.
Such villages will form the harbinger of future India aspired for.
Various schemes by government like PM KISAN, PM SVANIDHI, SWAMVITVA scheme, NRLM – DAY, MGNREGA, etc., are in the desired direction.
This along with inputs from India’s knowledge hub “NITI Aayog” in form of Aspiration programmer aim to make villages of India the backbone of its development. No doubt, this will also ensure its path on the sustainable development goals (e.g., SDG 1, SDG 2, SDG 3, etc.). This inclusionary approach is a must as also highlighted by XIIth five-year plan – “Faster, sustainable and more inclusive growth”.
The idea of smart village with basic facilities, education, technology, roads & infrastructure & digitalization will definitely turn society away from social evils towards economic growth.
Role of villagers themselves is equally important ASHA workers, ANMs etc., are role models for all those who want to be a part of this process. Reformers like Padman, etc., also contribute to bringing behavioral Change as also seen by “Darwaza Band Campaign” under Swachh Bharat. The ever-increasing GI Tags also encourage people to step up together. The Kudumbashree SHGs of Kerala showed exemplary behavior and encourage women everywhere. For at last, it is “Antyodaya, Sarvodaya & Gramodaya” that will lead the future of India.