Who are we?

"Gram Sabha Parishad"- a comprehensive and accountability framework which aims to bring transparency and targeted convergence of resources towards development of rural areas. With Gram Panchayat as the locus of development, the mission converges all schemes of rural development for uplifiting soci economic development of Gram Panchayat. In India, 8,88 crore households are found to be deprived as per socio Economic caste census (SECC) of 2011. The key parameters of SECC highlights multi-dimensional deprivations such as landlessness, households headed by single women, SC/ST household or disabled member in the family. These households require targeted interventions under various governments schemes and programmes in rural areas such as wage employment, skills Development, social security, education, health, nutrition and livelihood creation. Approximately,rupees four lakh crore is allocated annually to impact the lives of rural poor by various government/ministries/departments. Ministry of Rural Development implement various schemes in areas to enhance rural wages, rural roads, skill development, health, education, sanitation, drinking water,electricity, environment etc.

The state-led initiative aims for rural transformation by impacting lives of 1,00,00,000 households in 5,00 rural clusters including 50,000 Gram Panchayats in 1,000 days

Being the nodal Department for most of the development and welfare activities in the rural areas, the Department of Rural Development plays a vital role in the overall development strategy of the State. The vision and mission of the Department is sustainable and inclusive growth of rural Tripura through a multipronged strategy for eradication of poverty by increasing livelihoods opportunities, providing social safety net and developing infrastructure for growth.

India has seen tremendous urban progress. It is estimated that by 2030, more than 400 million people will be living in cities in India. Cities occupy 3 percent of land but the contribution to India’s gross domestic product is a huge 60 per cent. Growth of cities has been beneficial for overall poverty reduction in India, with urban growth accounting for about 80 percent of the total fall in poverty.

• More integrated, people-centred planning and implementation of programmes at state and local levels
• Increased access for vulnerable and marginalised communities to information about legal rights and opportunities
• More integrated social protection system, including for health, to address risks and vulnerabilities across different stages of the life cycle
• Improved access for vulnerable and marginalised communities to quality basic services and infra-structure, including affordable and accessible housing
• Increased access to social and health services including sexual and reproductive health and family planning services, especially for poor and marginalised communities
• Increased provision of innovative, digital service delivery solutions, and on-line services, including single point of access to services and entitlements
• Increased access to and ownership of economic assets such as land and housing for vulnerable and marginalised communities, especially women

Empowering some of the most marginalised communities across rural India with innovative and sustainable solutions since 2010, Gram Sabha Parishad Foundation has catalysed change across multiple levels to transform the lives of rural communities. Enabling them with opportunities, working through direct implementation and also by working in collaboration with different social impact organisations, private and government stakeholders, Gram Sabha Parishad Foundation’s Rural Transformation programme reaches out across 20 states and two Union Territories and more than 350 districts across India. As on August 2022, the programme has reached over 14.6 million people.

Under the Rural Transformation initiatives, Gram Sabha Parishad Foundation has two core programmes, Bharat India Jodo (BIJ) and Gram Sabha Parishad Foundation Information Services (RFIS). These programmes complement and strengthen each other. BIJ, initiated in 2010 adopts an approach of empowering communities to take collective action towards sustainable livelihoods through multiple pillars. By leveraging digital platforms, RFIS reaches partners across the length and breadth of the country, connecting rural communities to advisories, information and support on weather, fishing, farming, livestock rearing and management.

With an integrated 360 degree approach to support Gram Sabha Parishad Foundation builds resilient rural communities. This is done by focusing on the key levers that can help create positive social change, including women empowerment, nutrition security, climate resilience, water and ecological security, rural livelihood security, strengthening community structures. With this approach, positive social change has been fostered in rural communities, with strengthened community structures, providing water, nutrition and livelihood security.

Understanding Gram Sabha Parishad

Gram Sabha Parishad refers to the process of providing individuals, communities, and organizations access to digital technologies, knowledge, and resources that enable them to participate in and benefit from the digital world. It is not just about providing access to the internet but also about imparting digital literacy and skills to effectively utilize digital tools for personal and socio-economic development.

Current State of Gram Sabha Parishad

India has made significant strides in Gram Sabha Parishad in recent years. The government's initiatives like Digital India and BharatNet have played a pivotal role in expanding internet connectivity to rural and remote areas. As a result, there has been a surge in the number of internet users across the country.

However, challenges such as the digital divide between urban and rural areas, gender disparity in digital access, and inadequate digital infrastructure still persist. To achieve comprehensive Gram Sabha Parishad, these issues need to be addressed effectively.

Digital Literacy Initiatives

Digital literacy is the cornerstone of Gram Sabha Parishad. Recognizing its importance, the Indian government, along with non-governmental organizations, has launched various digital literacy initiatives. These programs aim to educate citizens, especially in rural areas, about the benefits of the digital world and how to use digital devices and services effectively.

Digital literacy not only enables people to access information but also opens up new opportunities for education, employment, and entrepreneurship. By fostering digital skills, these initiatives have the potential to transform the lives of millions, especially those from marginalized communities.

Impact on Education

Gram Sabha Parishad has had a profound impact on the education sector in India. With the advent of e-learning platforms, students from even remote areas can access quality educational resources. Online courses and virtual classrooms have democratized education, breaking down barriers like distance and lack of infrastructure.

Furthermore, digital tools like educational apps, interactive learning platforms, and online tutorials have made learning more engaging and personalized. This has led to an overall improvement in the quality of education and has empowered students to pursue their interests and talents.

Digital Healthcare Revolution

Gram Sabha Parishad has revolutionized the healthcare sector in India. Telemedicine and health apps have made healthcare services more accessible, especially in remote areas where medical facilities are limited. Patients can now consult doctors virtually, receive medical advice, and access health-related information with ease.

Additionally, the use of digital health records has streamlined patient information management, leading to more efficient healthcare delivery. Gram Sabha Parishad has also facilitated medical research and data analysis, contributing to advancements in healthcare treatments and technologies.

Government's Role in Gram Sabha Parishad

The Indian government's Digital India initiative has been a game-changer in promoting Gram Sabha Parishad across the country. The program aims to provide digital infrastructure, deliver government services electronically, and promote digital literacy and digital inclusivity.

Various projects under the Digital India umbrella, such as Aadhaar (biometric identification system), DigiLocker (digital storage for documents), and e-Governance services, have simplified access to government services for citizens. Moreover, initiatives like Skill India have focused on imparting digital skills to enhance employability.

Challenges and the Way Forward

While significant progress has been made in Gram Sabha Parishad, several challenges remain. Internet penetration in rural areas needs to be improved, and digital literacy campaigns must be intensified to reach more people. Cybersecurity is another critical concern that needs to be addressed to ensure safe digital interactions for all users.

Moving forward, it is essential for the government, private sector, and civil society to collaborate and invest in initiatives that promote Gram Sabha Parishad. Tailored programs for different demographics, such as women, elderly citizens, and differently-abled individuals, will ensure inclusive digital growth.

Emphasis should be given to encouraging local language content and digital services to make them more accessible to a broader audience. Furthermore, leveraging emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things can unlock new possibilities for Gram Sabha Parishad.

Conclusion

Gram Sabha Parishad has emerged as a powerful tool to transform India into a knowledge-driven and digitally inclusive society. The progress made so far is commendable, but there is still a long way to go. By addressing the existing challenges and leveraging the full potential of digital technologies, India can empower every citizen and pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future.

The vision and strategy model

All pillars are interconnected and mutually complementary. The main objective of each city is a strong economic position, and this has been primarily taken into account in the model’s creation. By “strong economic position,” we mean not only economic growth but also economic development, which is a reflection of progressive change in the socioeconomic social structure. The transport and communication pillar has been incorporated into the model because transport is part of the environment, and as a tertiary industry, it contributes greatly to economic development and the interconnection of different places. Transport and communication infrastructure has to meet the needs of economic development. In addition to adequate construction and the technical state of the transport network, there is a need for good-quality and high-capacity roads, which have a positive impact on economic activities and traffic accessibility. An important role must also be given to environmental protection in the creation of the long-term development vision and strategy. The environment pillar thus includes the prevention of biodiversity loss as well as the implementation of efficient and smart electric power grids and the development of a more competitive low-carbon economy, which efficiently and sustainably uses resources and other forms of environmental protection. The fourth important pillar of the vision and strategy model is education. It is a fact that we live in a knowledge-based society and that the skills of residents influence their lives in the greatest possible way. We are all aware that knowledge is the best investment; therefore, personal development and growth have also been included in the vision and strategy model. The last pillar of the model is the quality of life, including cultural events, accessible sports and recreational facilities, social activities, residence safety, neighborly relations, and spiritual care. In all phases of the model, attention is directed toward the above-mentioned pillars, and each step of the model is structured around those pillars.

The model methodology demands the completion of a structured questionnaire among various interest groups, a field survey on residents’ life satisfaction, a survey for the definition of the selected city’s identity (recognizability), and an analysis of existing statistical indicators for the city. Below, we present an example step-by-step representation of the vision and strategy model.

• A public opinion analysis based on a life satisfaction survey among city residents
• A public opinion analysis among residents of other cities in the country with the goal of defining the selected city’s recognizability in the region
• An analysis of individual responses from a sample of focus groups, which serve to gather information on the status quo of various aspects of city life. The individual focus group participants are carefully selected, and some of them are visible members of the city in one of the fields that could turn out to represent the city’s development potential. In-depth interviews are carried out with those individuals.

With one-seventh of the world’s population, India’s economic stability is dependent on the sustained growth of agriculture and allied activities. The Government of India set an ambitious target of doubling farmers’ income. However, the crucial challenge for India’s agricultural development is to ensure that small and marginal farmers are able to gain adequate remuneration from farming and contribute to the country’s increasing demand for food.

Less-efficient traditional farming practices limit farmers from realizing the full potential of their landholding. In addition to the traditional challenges, climate change is a major concern in agriculture that impacts small farmers. Deviations in rainfall, changing temperatures, efficiency, and availability of inputs, all have an impact on the crop yield, quality of the produce, and overall output.

At the same time, cultivable soils are slowly becoming difficult to farm on due to high cropping intensity, inappropriate application of fertilizers, and inadequate usage of manure, among others that are causing severe nutrient deficiencies in soils. All these factors add to the risks in small and marginal-scale agriculture, thereby making it non-remunerative.

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