Unnat
Bharat
Abhiyan
Empowering Rural India,
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A tale of transformation: UBA brings hope to rural
India through technology-driven development
At a glance
- Unnat Bharat Abhiyan is a flagship program of the Government of India to promote rural development and growth.
- The program aims to connect institutions of higher education with local communities to address their developmental challenges.
- Under the program, participating institutions adopt villages or clusters and work with them to identify problems and find solutions.
- The program focuses on sustainable development, technology transfer, and empowering local communities.
- The program has a target to cover 1,00,000 villages by 2022, benefiting over 10 crore people.
- The program provides a platform for students to gain practical experience and exposure to rural life and culture.
- The program is being implemented by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
- The program has received a positive response from various stakeholders, including academic institutions, government agencies, and civil society organizations.
Overview
The world is a vast and diverse place, with many different cultures, languages, and ways of life. Despite these differences, there is one common thread that unites us all: the desire for a better life. This desire has led to many social and economic initiatives that seek to uplift people out of poverty and provide them with the tools they need to thrive. One such initiative is the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, which seeks to transform rural India through community development and empowerment.
As part of this initiative, I had the opportunity to visit and conduct surveys in five adopted villages in the Sundernagar block of Distt Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. The purpose of these surveys was to assess the basic requirements and facilities in the villages and identify the needs and aspirations of the local people. I was joined by a team of enthusiastic volunteers who shared the same passion for making a positive difference in the world.
The journey to these villages was a long and arduous one, with many twists and turns along the way. We had to cross rivers and climb steep hills to reach our destination, and the weather was often cold and unforgiving. However, the warm and welcoming smiles of the local people made it all worth it. They greeted us with open arms and offered us food and water, despite their own limited resources.
As we conducted our surveys, we met many different families with their unique stories and struggles. Some families were poor and unable to afford electricity, while others were wealthy and had access to modern amenities. We also noticed that many villages lacked proper irrigation management, which was leading to poor crop yields and a struggle for survival.
Despite the challenges, we were able to persuade some families to adopt renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and biogas, which could provide a more sustainable and cost-effective source of power. However, we also encountered resistance from some families who were hesitant to embrace change and were content with their traditional ways of life.
Volunteers taking survey in a village
One particular anecdote that stands out from this experience was when we met a family that had never seen a solar panel before. They were amazed by how the panel worked and were eager to learn more about it. We explained to them how it could help them save money and reduce their dependence on expensive and polluting sources of energy, such as kerosene and wood.
Another memorable experience was when we encountered a family that was struggling to make ends meet. They were living in a small, dilapidated house with no access to electricity or running water. We were deeply moved by their plight and resolved to do everything in our power to help them. We reached out to local NGOs and other organizations, and were eventually able to secure funding for a new home and a solar panel system that would provide them with clean and reliable power.
As our surveys came to a close, we reflected on the challenges and successes of the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan. We had encountered many obstacles along the way, but we had also witnessed firsthand the transformative power of community development and empowerment. Through our efforts, we had helped to improve the lives of countless families and contributed to the broader goal of building a more sustainable and equitable world.
Our Priorities
Development
The primary focus of UBA is to promote the overall development of rural communities. This includes improving their access to basic amenities such as water, sanitation, health, education, and livelihood opportunities.
Sustainability
We aim to create sustainable rural development models that can be replicated in other communities. This involves identifying and addressing the root causes of issues, using locally available resources and promoting environmentally friendly practices.
Volunteerism
Unnat Bharat Abhiyan promotes the spirit of voluntary work among students and faculty of higher educational institutions to contribute to rural development. Volunteers work with the community to identify their needs and develop solutions that can be implemented with the resources available.
Technology
We encourages the adoption of appropriate technologies and best practices to improve the living conditions of rural communities. This includes developing and implementing solutions that make use of available resources and suit the needs of the community.
Awareness
By raising awareness and deepening understanding of the rural realities and challenges among students, faculty, and the community, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan aims to sensitize people to the needs of rural communities. This awareness helps individuals develop solutions that are contextually relevant, contributing to the sustainable development of rural communities.