(Creativity Mission visited Punsari, a high tech village in Gujarat India. Some of the features here are: WI-FI, CCTV cameras, public address system, centralized RO water purification system. In this post we are going into the thought process of young Sarpanch Himanshu Patel, how he realized the creative empowerment of his village through innovative solutions.)
Read the Punsari introduction post here.
Why a small village like Punsari needs such Hi-tech solutions? Does it help the village in true sense?
Answer is an emphatic yes. When Sarpanch (village leader) Himanshu bhai talks about his village you can sense that ‘yes’ not just in his voice, it is vibrating in his heart. It’s not a rhetoric, but a conviction deep inside.
He is only about 30 years of age with great respect for Gandhi Bapu (M. K. Gandhi) and Babal Bhai. He believes the village is a foundation to stronger nation and is creating one, which is strong in every sense.
The outsiders get enamored by high tech facilities, but for him these are just tools for empowering the villagers. He says. ” I never thought of leaving the village and going to a bigger town. If we can have facilities of a town and the values of the village, why would anyone leave the village!”
It all started with public address system. He wanted to be connected with everyone in his constituency. With 100+ speakers in place, the Sarpanch and Panchayat (Village governing body) can pass on important information to the villagers on an immediate as well as continuous basis.
While the system plays religious songs and Gandhi Bapu’s slogans on a daily basis, it also announces new government schemes to villagers. “That’s the real reason for this system” he says. “I want my village people to take maximum benefit of these schemes. Now people have all the information even if they are in fields. They don’t have to come to Panchayat, we are reaching them!”
When a senior Doctor or officer from district comes, everyone knows about it. They can schedule their life accordingly. People under poverty line who have to toil everyday are benefited the most because they can avail all schemes meant for them.
This can be a great system in times of natural disasters, social conflicts and other crisis moments. The government have seen this in action here and plan to replicate it in sensitive areas.
With Wi-Fi connectivity the students can submit their exam forms, know the results online. I immediately understood the importance after travelling to the village. The closest bus stop is 7 Km away!
This also helps in the basic Government school. You will be amazed to know that this school imparts education through audio visual medium! It’s unimaginable to anyone who have seen the sorry state of facilitates in govt schools.
The farmers can get their land documents available to them on a computer!
With CCTV cameras, the village is secure. It also helps the Sarpanch to know what’s happening in the village at any moment. With the Wi-Fi connectivity he can view the village activities on a tablet even if he is out. And he responds.
You will see the RCC roads clean. With CCTV cameras watching, no one dares to throw the dirt or papers, or spits on it.
It’s all about making a better village and empowering the villagers.
There are many remarkable things about this village.
The village has a toll free number. Villagers can call and record their complains and suggestions. Imagine the power in the hands of a labourer, or a farmer who can’t be absent from his work . They can just call and register the concerns. They also get a response by sms.
There is a RO water purification plant in the village. But that’s not enough, the purified water is delivered at every doorstep.
A tractor moves through the village and collect garbage from every house.
These are all efforts to create a better village. 100% homes have toilets. Drainage and sanitation is up to the mark.
Himanshu bhai tells me, “News cameras captures Wi-Fi and other high tech images but journalists fail to see the real achievement of our village. Pregnancy mortality rate in our village is 0! Child mortality is 0! Mal-nutrition is 0! Child drop rate from school is 0!”
These are the real goals for the Sarpanch!
There is no big talk. Only A congruent young man doing his job.
Gandhi bapu would be proud of him!
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