RAIPUR: The Transform Rural India Foundation (TRIF) hosted the India Rural Colloquy (IRC), a significant event with a strong focus on the future of rural India. Experts from various fields came together to emphasize the urgent need for positive transformation and renewal in rural regions, which have long encountered challenges such as depopulation, economic decline, and limited access to essential services and opportunities compared to urban areas.

TRIF managing director Anish Kumar addressed the audience, stating, “We are looking towards revitalization or resurgence of rural areas and communities, often encompassing various aspects of economic, social, and cultural development. With IRC, we aim to bridge the gap between our cities and villages. It is disheartening that 75% of the urban population remains largely unaware of the challenges faced by our rural brethren.”

Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihood Mission director Padmini Bhoi Sahu highlighted the pressing need to uplift women in rural areas and stressed the importance of empowering them beyond their household roles.

“They (women) need that extra push. And once that is given, you see that women lead all our government initiatives, be it SBM, MGNREGS, NRLM, RIPA, etc. We, at NRLM along with TRIF, have made the ‘Mahila Lakhpati’ initiative our priority,” she said.

Dr Sachchidananda Shukla, the Vice Chancellor of Pt Ravishankar Shukla University, commended the IRC’s theme, “Samaaj, Sarkar, Baazaar” and congratulated TRIF for their initiative. He expressed his anticipation for actionable plans to be derived from this platform to bring about positive change in rural areas.

Chhattisgarh State Planning Commission vice chairman Ajay Singh emphasized the significance of the IRC in the present time due to two reasons. “Firstly, we have completed 75 years of independence, and it is a good time to reassess our present state. Secondly, the people in power are often unaware of the ground realities in rural areas. It is crucial to align our policies and initiatives towards bringing each and every citizen into the mainstream for our nation to develop fully,” he stated.

As per the Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index (MDPI), 19.2% of the population in rural areas still lives under the poverty line, meaning every fifth person in the village faces poverty. On a positive note, in the last five years, approximately 13 crore people have successfully emerged from poverty. The experts at the colloquy stressed that the goal should not merely be to lift people above the poverty line but to elevate everyone far beyond this threshold.

The India Rural Colloquy concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to work collectively towards the positive transformation of rural India. As the nation marks 75 years of independence, there is a collective resolve to address rural challenges and ensure a prosperous future for all citizens, regardless of their geographical location.

Source: The Times of India