03/08/2025
“Submitted as part of suggestions for Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s 79th Independence Day Address.”
VISION NOTE
Integrated Rural Development Model for a Self-Reliant Bharat
A 15-Point Roadmap to Transform 6.5 Lakh Villages into Hubs of Prosperity, Sustainability & Happiness
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1. Introduction
India’s true strength lies in its 6.5 lakh villages, where more than 65% of the population resides. Rural Bharat is the backbone of food security, culture, and economy. However, disparities in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities hinder holistic development.
To achieve Viksit Bharat @ 2047, we must create self-reliant, prosperous, and sustainable villages, ensuring urban-rural equity in growth and opportunities.
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2. The Vision
“Every village should become a self-sufficient economic hub, ensuring water security, organic farming, renewable energy, local employment, and cultural preservation.”
The model focuses on 15 key pillars of rural upliftment, inspired by ancient Indian wisdom, Samast Mahajan initiatives, and best practices from progressive states.
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3. 15-Point Roadmap
1️⃣ Water Security & Rainwater Harvesting
• Capture every drop of rainwater through check dams, percolation tanks, and rooftop harvesting.
• Desilt all nallas and talaos; connect village water bodies for overflow sharing with next village thus whole BHARAT is interconnected in water .
2️⃣ Gochar Bhumi & Grassland Development
• Digitally map and protect grazing lands.
• Remove encroachments and invasive weeds like Prosopis Juliflora.
• Ensure fodder security for all livestock.
3️⃣ Indigenous Tree Plantation
• Ban foreign trees; plant 16 native species such as Neem, Banyan, Peepal, Jamun, Kadamba.Audumbar Mango , Tamarind etc.
• Adopt “One Village – 4000 Trees” model to ensure long-term care.
4️⃣ Natural Farming & Cow-Based Economy
• Promote cow dung, gomutra, and panchagavya for soil enrichment.
• Revive bullock-driven ploughing and rural transport.
• Strengthen farmer-Gaushala partnerships for manure-based farming.
5️⃣ Model Gaushalas & Animal Husbandry
• One advanced gaushala per village , linked with farmers for manure and milk economy.
• Mobile veterinary units and training in gobar-based farming.
6️⃣ Employment Generation & Skill Training
• Rural skill centers for tailoring, carpentry, dairy, handicrafts, and digital services.
• Support village-based industries in khadi, oil-pressing, and food grains production,
7️⃣ Renewable Energy Villages
• Household and community-level biogas plants.
• Solar-powered schools, water pumps, and streetlights.
8️⃣ Health & Hygiene
• Village wellness hubs with Ayurveda, naturopathy, and basic healthcare.
• Promote kitchen gardens and nutrition gardens for self-sufficiency.
9️⃣ Education & Value-Based Learning
• Gurukul-style schools blending ethics, farming, and technology.
• Smart classrooms, digital libraries, and skill-linked curricula.
🔟 Village -Centered Development
• Use Village common lands for water harvesting, and animal care.
• Promote rural cultural tourism around temples and festivals.
1️⃣1️⃣ Rural Tourism
• Eco-tourism, pilgrim circuits, and homestay models to boost village incomes.
1️⃣2️⃣ Women Empowerment
• Self-help groups for dairy, tailoring, food grains production , and entrepreneurship.
1️⃣3️⃣ Tech Integration in Agriculture
• AI & drone-based soil testing, irrigation planning, and direct farmer-market link apps.
1️⃣4️⃣ Good Governance & Transparency
• Village Development Committees with digital dashboards for budget and work status.
1️⃣5️⃣ Happiness Index Measurement
• Regular tracking of income, health, education, environment, and cultural activities.
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4. Key Benefits
✅ Water-Secure Villages → Green Revolution 2.0
✅ Organic Farming → Healthy Food + Export Potential
✅ Animal Welfare Integration → Cow-Based Economy Growth
✅ Local Employment → Reduced Migration & Strong Rural Economy
✅ Cultural Revival → Social Harmony & Mental Well-Being
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5. Implementation Strategy
Step
Action
Responsibility
1. Policy Framework
National-level Rural
Self-Reliance Mission
Involving
PMO, NITI Aayog, State Govts
2. Funding Model
60% Govt + 30% CSR + 10% Public Participation
Involving
Rural Development Ministry, panchayati raj, animal husbandry, agriculture department,
3. Digital Mapping
Mapping of all water bodies, grasslands, and village resources
Involving
Panchayati Raj & Revenue Depts
4. Convergence Approach
Link with existing schemes like MGNREGA, PMKSY, Jal Jeevan Mission
Involving
All Departments
All Model Villages :-
Involving
Respective
District Collectors- DDO- DRDA
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6. The Call to Action
This integrated model can transform every village into a money-making hub, increase per-capita income, ensure food & water security, and preserve culture and ecology.
With political will, public participation, and CSR support, India can achieve rural prosperity and a $10 trillion economy by 2047.
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Proposed By:
Dr. Girish Jayantilal Shah
Member, Animal Welfare Board of India
Managing Trustee, Samast Mahajan
📞 +91 9820020976 |
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[email protected]
