Independence is that Lil gap In(_)Dependence

 I am still toddling my way through understanding Sustainable Rural Development.

 Here’s a snippet of my observation.

When I enrolled for the fellowship in 2017, I had no idea of what I was getting into. With no experience and no handbook, I set myself on a voyage that was going force me to unlearn a few things, relearn a few things and learn a few new things.

The notions developed during the fellowship soon began to fall like a pack of cards, which led to a massive outburst—an outburst of an unsettling rage and mutated conscience.

Well, to be honest, the reality was slapping me in the face every single day only to teach me that Rural Development isn’t infrastructural upliftment or anything else that will keep the rural life clinging on to you for the rest of their existence. 

I have seen so many organisations committing a 360-degree development and end up making the population 100% depended on them. You want the toilet; we will build for you. You want irrigation facility; we will get it for you. This is corrupting their capabilities. This is not a development that will sustain. 

Even if the development of 70% of India’s rural population will make our economy stronger, it should be their decision to figure out how.

Our jobs is that of a GPS, to give direction, and their role is that of a traveller to follow the route.

Why can’t we just talk them out of their shell?

Why can’t we just comfort them, increase their awareness, train them and create an environment that will wash out the fears and propel them towards a better life with the limitless opportunities?

One day when everyone in the village is empowered, they will build their own houses, and pave their own roads. 

All we have to do is push the bird so it realises the purpose of its wings. It will then fly, travel, find food, make a nest and pass on that courage to their young ones.

And that day we would have played our part. That day the gap In(_)Dependence will be removed forever. That day sustainable development will begin in its real sense.

Soon we’ll hear the wings of independence flutter throughout the nation.

– Priyanka Jawalgaonkar