... Continued from Part 2
Sri Sathya Sai serving Prasadam during a festival at Prasanthi Nilayam
In all-constituent units of Sri Sathya Sai Organisations [i], cultural, social,
and eternal aspects are accorded substantial importance. People should confer
utmost importance to development of agriculture as an important element of
rural development. Today in the villages under the block development scheme,
houses are constructed up to roof stage and suspended thereafter. To alter this
scenario, educated youth should take a vow for the development of villages.
Steady and Integrated Rural Development
The word ‘steady’ is very important [ii]. How does one go about implementing
it? Now, if the residents of a certain village require vegetables, fruits,
schooling, medical attention, etc., they go to another village or nearby town.
Rural development must aim at providing the villagers with all necessary
amenities and facilities. A coconut tree can be planted in the front-yard of
every house. It will be very useful in providing ingredients for cooking. It
can also provide items that are useful for offering worship. On the other side
of the house, a drumstick tree can be planted. One must be able to grow the
vegetables required for household consumption on one’s own in the backyards of
the dwelling units. Primarily, rural development must be linked with health and
education. Educate the villagers about hygiene and sanitation, which would
certainly ensure good health. Attention should be paid to education as the next
priority. Primary schools can be established to take care of education at the
initial stages for small children. In this way, villages must be
self-sufficient with reference to essential commodities like milk, vegetables,
etc.
Assistance for Kitchen Gardens and Coconut Plantations by Sri Sathya Sai
Organisations in East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh
It is unfortunate today that the villagers sell all the milk made at home to
the towns and the cities, but they themselves drink diluted milk in order to
earn a few more rupees. From home dairy, dairy farmers ought to set aside some
milk for domestic consumption and make use of the rest for commercial purposes.
By doing so, one takes care of the self (oneself) as well as renders some help
(to others).
In the villages, the drainage system has to be made effective. Many people dig
a big pit right behind their houses to dispose-off the sewage and garbage, the
result of which is that foul smell emanates from the backyard. When monsoon
commences, the villagers close all the doors and windows and sleep indoors.
They contract all kinds of diseases by inhaling all toxic gases. This is the
reason why community septic tank is required in villages until underground
drainage facility is made available. This tank must be located in one corner of
the village far off from residential localities. Health is very important. When
health is there, wealth can be earned. Community toilets and latrines should be
built in all the four directions of the village and at that very spot, suitable
septic tank must also be built.
Sanitation activities by volunteers from
Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations in Koraput District, Odisha
Many people use firewood to fuel their cooking chulhas (traditional Indian
stove). Among this firewood, there are some that are quite harmful. They emit
dangerous carbon dioxide. This is the cause for the death of quite a few
infants. Hence, wherever the fire is being lit, a pipe and a vent should be
provided for the chulhas so that the smoke can be let off safely. In this way,
the villagers can be educated about things they do not know. We may even
demonstrate these systems in a few houses of opinion makers in the village, so
that the others would emulate them.
Attention should be paid to the wells in the villages. The water of the same
well is used for watering the fields, drinking and even for toilet purposes. No
wonder that the water gets polluted. Hence, separate provision must be made for
drinking water. These irregular things are actually happening in the villages.
Rural development is making very slow progress. The government makes a lot of
publicity about so many government- sponsored schemes that are being
implemented. If the government can manage to reduce the prices, there will be
no need to borrow money from other countries.
Youth today must undertake village development work in India. If the need
arises, our students must make arrangements to sink bore-wells. If no proper
roads are available in the villages, arrangements should be made to build
roads. Then the villagers will also lend their support. We require their
involvement. They would feel self-conscious that some educated students are
working for their progress in their own village while they remain mute
witnesses. This would inspire them to volunteer their services. However, the
youth of today have strange fancies. Their clothes should be ironed and must
not be untidy. They must have a fan above their head. They do not like to squat
on the floor. During the exam time, they insist on a comfortable chair. They do
not realise that by sitting on such a chair, they will feel sleepy, and find it
hard to write the exams [iii].
Do not crave for comforts, but depend upon your own capabilities and resources
to carry out rural development work.
Click here for a special article on 'Spiritual Facets of Rural Development'
based on Swami's Divine Discourse to His Management Students.
Notes:
i. For further details, please visit – www.srisathyasai.org.in
ii. Baba was referring to Sustainable Development while using the word ‘steady’.
iii. Baba is only trying to suggest here that people living in villages as well
as those engaged in rural development work should be simple and lead a spartan
life. It is only to emphasise that people should be ready to make any sacrifice
(of personal comforts) to bring about sustained rural development.
Source: Values-Oriented Rural Development, Chapter 2, Man Management: A
Values-Based Management Perspective
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