Envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi in his seminal work, 'Hind Swaraj,' the Western developmental paradigm, grounded in centralized technologies and urbanization, has engendered pressing challenges such as burgeoning inequality (resulting in crime and violence) and climate change due to rapid ecological degradation. Addressing these issues requires the fostering of rural development in harmony with Gandhi's vision of self-sufficient 'village republics,' utilizing local resources and deploying decentralized, eco-friendly technologies. This approach aims to locally meet essential needs like food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, healthcare, energy, livelihood, transportation, and education.
This comprehensive vision for village development is paramount. Currently, 70% of India's population resides in rural areas, predominantly engaged in an agrarian economy. Despite agriculture and allied sectors employing 51% of the total workforce, their contribution to the country's GDP is a mere 17%. Profound developmental disparities persist between rural and urban sectors, spanning health, education, incomes, basic amenities, and employment opportunities, precipitating widespread discontent and substantial migration to urban centers. The imperative of sustainable development, increasingly acknowledged on a global scale, necessitates eco-friendly rural development and the creation of local employment opportunities. The escalating trend of urbanization is neither sustainable nor desirable. Historically, professional higher education institutions have predominantly catered to the mainstream industrial sector, offering limited direct contributions to rural development. The Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) emerges as a vital and challenging initiative in steering towards comprehensive rural development. For more details please visit Unnat Bharat Abhiyan