Daily Current Affairs : 27-July-2023
The Indian Government’s recent approval of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) marks a significant step towards comprehensive rural development. Aimed at uplifting the standard of living in selected border communities, the scheme seeks to encourage residents to stay in their villages, curbing outmigration and bolstering border security. This essay will delve into the key aspects of the VVP, its objectives, and the facilities it aims to provide for the holistic development of rural areas.
Objectives of the Vibrant Villages Programme
The Vibrant Villages Programme has been designed to achieve several crucial objectives that will create a positive impact on rural communities:
- Retaining Residents: One of the primary goals of the VVP is to reverse the trend of outmigration from rural villages. By offering improved facilities and opportunities, the programme aims to motivate villagers to stay in their native places, thus strengthening the social fabric and contributing to a more balanced demographic distribution.
- Enhancing Border Security: The VVP recognizes the importance of border communities in bolstering national security. By promoting development in these areas, the government aims to create a more stable and secure environment along the borders, deterring any potential threats.
- Livelihood Generation: The programme emphasizes the creation of opportunities for livelihood generation. By focusing on diverse sectors such as tourism, cultural heritage, skill development, entrepreneurship, agriculture, horticulture, and medicinal plant cultivation, the VVP seeks to offer villagers various means to earn a sustainable income.
Key Interventions
The Vibrant Villages Programme adopts a multi-faceted approach to address the challenges faced by rural communities. Some of the key interventions under the scheme are:
- Promotion of Tourism & Cultural Heritage: The VVP recognizes the rich cultural heritage of rural India and seeks to promote it as a means of attracting tourists. By preserving and showcasing local traditions, arts, and crafts, the programme aims to boost tourism in these areas, providing economic opportunities for locals.
- Skill Development & Entrepreneurship: The VVP places significant emphasis on skill development, empowering villagers with the knowledge and expertise needed to engage in various income-generating activities. By fostering entrepreneurship, the scheme aims to create self-reliant individuals who can contribute to their local economy.
- Development of Cooperative Societies: To enhance agricultural practices and horticulture, the VVP focuses on establishing and supporting cooperative societies. These societies can provide farmers with access to resources, technology, and markets, thereby improving agricultural productivity and income levels.
Facilities Provided by the Vibrant Villages Programme
The success of the Vibrant Villages Programme relies on the provision of essential facilities that can transform the living conditions in rural areas. Some of the key facilities that will be provided under the scheme include:
- Road Connectivity: Better road connectivity will ensure that remote villages are linked to urban centers, making transportation easier and enabling the movement of goods and services.
- Drinking Water: Access to clean and potable drinking water is a fundamental necessity for any community. The VVP aims to provide reliable drinking water facilities to improve public health and hygiene.
- Power (Including Solar and Wind Energy): To address energy needs, the VVP plans to harness renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy. This will not only ensure a sustainable power supply but also reduce the carbon footprint of these villages.
- Mobile and Internet Access: In today’s digital age, access to mobile and internet services is vital for communication, information sharing, and access to markets. The VVP seeks to bridge the digital divide by providing these facilities to rural areas.
- Tourist Attractions: Developing and showcasing local tourist attractions will help in attracting visitors and generating income for the local economy.
- Multipurpose Facilities: The programme aims to establish multipurpose community centers that can be used for various activities such as education, training, and cultural events.
- Healthcare Infrastructure: Access to quality healthcare is crucial for the well-being of rural residents. The VVP aims to improve healthcare infrastructure, ensuring that villagers have access to medical facilities and services.
- Wellness Centers: Wellness centers will focus on providing holistic healthcare services, including traditional and alternative medicine, promoting the overall well-being of the villagers.
Important Points:
- The Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme recently approved by the Indian Government for comprehensive development of selected villages.
- Objectives of VVP:
- Raise the standard of living for residents in designated border communities.
- Encourage residents to stay in their villages, reversing outmigration.
- Enhance border security by promoting development in border areas.
- Key Interventions under VVP:
- Promotion of tourism & cultural heritage.
- Skill development & entrepreneurship.
- Development of cooperative societies in agriculture, horticulture, and medicinal plants/herbs cultivation.
- Facilities Provided by VVP:
- Road connectivity to link remote villages with urban centers.
- Access to clean drinking water for improved public health.
- Power supply, including solar and wind energy, for sustainable energy sources.
- Mobile and internet access to bridge the digital divide.
- Development of tourist attractions to boost the local economy.
- Multipurpose facilities for education, training, and cultural events.
- Improved healthcare infrastructure for better medical services.
- Wellness centers for holistic healthcare, including traditional and alternative medicine.
- VVP’s emphasis on livelihood generation through diverse sectors like tourism, skill development, and agriculture.
- Importance of retaining residents in rural areas to strengthen the social fabric.
- Role of VVP in enhancing border security and stability along the borders.
- Government’s recognition of the rich cultural heritage of rural India and efforts to promote it for economic benefits.
- Focus on skill development and entrepreneurship to create self-reliant individuals.
- Establishment and support for cooperative societies to enhance agricultural practices.
- Sustainable approach with the use of renewable energy sources like solar and wind energy.
- Digital inclusion through access to mobile and internet services.
- Significance of essential facilities like drinking water, power, and healthcare for rural development.
- Potential of VVP in transforming the lives of millions of rural Indians and building a stronger, more prosperous rural India.
Why In News
The government, in its recent approval of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, aims to foster the holistic development of selected villages by integrating various social, economic, and infrastructural initiatives. By empowering these villages with enhanced resources and support, the program seeks to create self-sustaining and thriving rural communities, promoting a balanced and inclusive growth across the nation.
MCQs about The Vibrant Villages Programme
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What is the primary objective of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP)?
A. To promote urbanization and migration from rural areas.
B. To raise the standard of living in designated border communities.
C. To focus on urban development and infrastructure projects.
D. To support industries and businesses in metropolitan cities.
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Which of the following interventions is NOT part of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP)?
A. Promotion of tourism & cultural heritage.
B. Skill development & entrepreneurship.
C. Development of cooperative societies in agriculture.
D. Construction of high-rise buildings and commercial complexes.
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What is the significance of providing mobile and internet access under the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP)?
A. To increase the government’s surveillance in rural areas.
B. To enable villagers to access unlimited entertainment options.
C. To bridge the digital divide and improve communication and access to markets.
D. To promote social media usage among rural youth.
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How does the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) contribute to enhancing border security?
A. By constructing barriers and walls along the borders.
B. By promoting development in border communities.
C. By relocating border residents to urban areas.
D. By reducing the number of security personnel at the borders.
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