Essay on Technology and rural Development

Essay on Technology and rural Development Introduction – The necessity and importance of rural uplift  The present condition of Ind...

Essay on Technology and rural Development

Introduction – The necessity and importance of rural uplift 
The present condition of Indian villages 
Methods of improvement. 

1. Education of the villagers 
2. Modernisation of agriculture 
3. Development  of cottage industries. 
4. Provision of medical aid. 
5. Reforms in social life. 
6. Other reforms 

Conclusion – The Government and the people should make joint efforts.

India lives in her villages. If we want to see real India, we must go to the villages. About 80 percent of the population of India lives in the villages. They are the backbone of the country. Without improvement in their day to day life the country cannot march ahead. So the progress of the village is the progress of the country.

The condition of villages is pitiable. There is extreme poverty everywhere. The customs and traditions of the villagers are quite out of date. They are ignorant and superstitious. Though agriculture is their main occupation, yet it does not provide even two full meals a day to many of them. Illiteracy is widespread. Villages have become the home of epidemics and other disease. They lack medical facilities. Even in this scientific age, there are many villages which are cut off from their neighbouring towns. Thus in villages we find only suffering, disease, poverty and ignorance.

For real rural reconstruction, different problems must be solved at one and the same time. Piecemeal and half-hearted efforts will make no difference to the life of villagers. The following improvements must be made without further delay.

Ignorance is the root cause of many evils. It is the outcome of illiteracy. Hence villagers must be educated. More and more schools should be made free and compulsory. Arrangements should be made for adult education. For this, night schools should be started. Education of girls is as important as the education of boys. Girl’s schools should also be opened.

Poverty is the greatest curse in these days. To improve the economic condition of the villagers, agriculture must be modernized. They should be made to use better seeds, chemical fertilizers and scientific methods of agriculture. The yield per acre of land can only be increased through mechanized farming. For this, land-holdings should be consolidated. Better irrigation facilities should be made available. Through these measures, production is bound to increase. Increased production will lead to better economic condition.

Agriculture is a seasonal occupation. So in many months of the year, farmers remain idle. Village industries should be developed to keep them busy during idle months. It is only through cottage industries that the problem of part-time unemployment and total unemployment can be solved. This will enable the villagers to supplement their agricultural income.

Poor economic condition has affected the health of the villagers. The sanitation in villages is bad. We find pools of dirty water. The houses are mostly ill-ventilated and have no sanitary arrangement. So the conditions favourable for the breeding of germs of various diseases are always-present. Moreover, our villages lack medical facilities. Hospitals should be opened to provide medical aid. Gaon Sabhas should be made responsible for maintaining healthy sanitary conditions. This is necessary for rural uplift.

Villagers are the victims of various social evils. Litigation is a pastime for them. They remain under debt from generation to generation. As has been well said, ‘an Indian farmer is born in debt, lives in debt and dies in debt’. They are superstitious. They are slaves of customs and traditions. Social reforms must form an integral part of any programme of rural uplift.

Villagers do not have adequate means of recreation. This is a great handicap of village life. Cheap and healthy methods of enjoyment should be provided. Radio and T.V. sets should be fixed at public places. Public reading rooms and libraries should be opened. Provision for games and sports must be made. Such means of recreation will provide good diversion for villagers in their spare time.

The problem of rural uplift is gigantic. Without the active co-operation of the people and the Government, the condition of villages cannot be improved. Let the Government and the people make joint efforts to improve the condition of Indian villages. Our beloved Prime Minister, late Shri Rajiv Gandhi, launched the “Jawahar Rozgar Yojna” and a chapter has now been added to the Indian constitution to make Panchayati Raj a reality. In this way, it is hoped, real power will come to the people and power- brokers and vested interests will be done away with. Therein lies the salvation of our country.