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Contribution of V.T. Krishnamachari
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It is not proposed to describe all the experiments and projects undertaken over the past few years in the interest of rural uplift. Suffice it to mention further only the fine work done in rural reconstruction by V. T. Krishnamachari, as Dewan of Baroda, in the Sarvodaya Scheme in Bombay, and the Firka Development Scheme in Madras. These were all magnificent beginnings, but they suffered, for the most part from limitations in scope and organization and from lack of continuity.
Etawah Pilot Project
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The idea of starting this project was conceived in 1947 but put into action within Etawah (U.P.), in 1948. Lt. Col. Albert Mayer of USA, who came to India with the American forces in 1944, was the originator of this Project. He started it with the aim of introducing intensive work on the rural reconstruction front.
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The most significant achievement was that the entire area was brought under improved wheat crops. The area under vegetables was extended and diseases in livestock like Rinderpest and Haemorrhagic Septicaemia were controlled. The other programmes taken on were the construction of roads, soak pits, adoption of improved agricultural practices, etc. All these resulted in improving the economic conditions of the villagers.
Adarsh Sewa Sangh, Pohri (Gwalior)
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This plan of rural reconstruction was put into operation in 232 villages, falling in the Jagirdari of Col. Shitole. It aimed at increasing the per capita income of villagers. In each village, a village Reconstruction Society was formed and the important items of work were compost making, deep ploughing, improved breeding and management of cattle, etc. The Sangh published a monthly journal “Rural India” which was devoted to Planning and Community Projects.
Indian Village Service (I.V.S.)
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In 1945, A.T. Mosher of New York, and Shri B.N. Gupta established IVS to assist village people to realize the best in their own villages by developing individuals, volunteer leaders and local agencies, and enabling them to be effective in helping themselves and others.
Firka Development Scheme of Madras State
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It was Government-sponsored and aimed at the attainment of the Gandhian ideal of Gram Swaraj by bringing about not only educational, economic, sanitary and other improvements in villages, but also by making the people self-confident. The scheme was launched in 1946.
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The scheme aimed at provision of water supply, formation of Panchayats, organization of cooperatives and programmes for sanitation and also to enable the area self-sufficient through agricultural, irrigational and livestock improvements, and the development of Khadi (hand made cloth) and other Cottage Industries.
Nilokheri Experiment
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It was originally started to rehabilitate 7000 displaced persons from Pakistan and later integrated with the 100 surrounding villages.It was built round the vocational training centre that was transferred from Kurukshetra ( now in Haryana) , in July,1948. The architect of this project was Shri. S.K. Dey, who served as Union Minister for Community Development and Cooperatives up to 1965. The scheme called “Mazdoor Manzil” aimed at self-sufficiency for the rural –cum-urban township in all the essential requirements of life. The colony had a school, an agricultural farm, polytechnic training centre, poultry farm, piggery farm, horticulture garden, printing press, garment factory, engineering workshop, soap factory, etc.
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Participants