Friday, November 22, 2013

Pointers for Rural Managers

There are 6 lakh villages across the country. It is essential to know about government schemes and local culture while working in rural India. They will always come handy in certain situations. Great debate on caste system has not been touched by me where majority of Indians follow an unwritten rule of not mingling through marriage of one religion or caste.

Hindi Calendar Months:

Important Festivals: I am not elaborating on Festivals in India that consumes a major part of government holidays. Just few minor ones, that may be unheard by most of us.

Akshya Tritiya - Day for worshiping traditional seed-before ploughing and sowing of seed.
Makar Sankranti / Onam- It is a harvest festival.
Vasant Panchami - This dayannounces arrival of spring.
Gudi Padwa/ Ugadi/ Bihu/ Vishu - New Year in Hindu Calendar
Navarathri - Celebrated five times a year but primarily once during spring.
Ramadan - A month of fasting for Muslims.

Important Schemes:

1- Poverty Alleviation Schemes : National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGA) and National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)
2- Education Schemes : Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Mid Day Meal Scheme (MDA), Adult Literacy.
3- Water and Sanitation : National Rural Drinking Water Programme , Total Sanitation Campaign.
4- Health : National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)
5- Women and Child Development : Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
6- Rural Housing : Indira Awas Yojana (IAY)
7- Rural Roads : Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)
8- Rural Electrification: Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY), Remote Village Electrification Programme (Non-conventional energy)
9- Hunger Reduction : Public Distribution Scheme (PDS) and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) . (Upcoming Food Security Bill,)
10- Entitlements : National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS), National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS) and National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS).
11- Rural Infrastructure : Bharat Nirman Seva Kendras and Telecommunication Connectivity.

Quote of the Day: “My mother said I must always be intolerant of ignorance but understanding of illiteracy. That some people, unable to go to school, were more educated and more intelligent than college professors.” — Maya Angelou.