Rural India: Development & Challenges

As per the census report 2011, nearly 69% of the total Indian population comprises of rural India. If socio-economic conditions of rural India of 2001 is compared with that of 2011, we will find a positive sign of development and advancement in almost every sphere of rural India.

Some major achievements in the recent years can be listed as follows:

1) The 2011 Census data shows that the rural literacy rate has grown from 58.7% in 2011 to 68.9% in 2011. Also, the female literacy rate in rural areas has increased from 46% in 2011 to 58.8% in 2011. 2) The Annual Status of Education Report 2010 states that the percentage of children who are not enrolled in school has reduced from 6.6% in 2005 to 3.5% in 2010. 3) A notable progress has been seen in women's political empowerment with over 1.2 million women representative across rural India. 4) The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Guarantee Act has led to the creation of 987 crore person-day of work, since its inception. 6) The Indira Awas Yojana programme has provided home to over 22.5 million below poverty line households. 7) More than 3.5 million self help groups have been formed under that Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana programme. 8) Remarkable developement has also been seen in drinking water and sanitation programmes. Challenges, Concern Although, if compared to the previous decades, positive signs of development are there, but it still suffers from lack of good teachers, poor infrastructure etc. Basic health care service are still not available and absence of doctors and medical staff in the villages are lowering the rural health core system in very severely. Also malnutrition and hunger are wide spread in several rural areas. Inspite of intense efforts, rural poverty is still a curse for the overall growth of India. Decreasing public involvement in agriculture is already a matter of concern for the government. the gap between rural and urban income has widened sharply because agriculture growth is slower as compared to other sectors.

The Task Ahead

The post important task is to develop the infrastructure required to ensure smooth and timely delivery of basic education and healthcare service in rural India. Its involves active supervision of the teachers and the medical staff, just to make sure that they perform their work without fail. It is an utmost priority to adopt some adequate policies to ensure there is no problem of drinking water in the villages. Because as per an estimate, nearly 13% of drinking water in rural areas is found to be contaminated by chemicals & fertilizer run-offs.

The development of rural economy requires rapid implementation and expansion of employment and income opportunities. According to the 66th round of National Sample Survey conducted between July 2009 to June 2010, shows that their is a difference of almost 900 Rs. in the average monthly per capita consumer expenditure. It divide requires a more innovative and strategic approach towards poverty alleviation in rural India. Corruption within the Panchayati Raj System is increasing and thus posing a serious thread for rural development. Thus transforming rural India is challenge that be focused by the best Indian minds. No doubt it is the single biggest hurdle in making India a developed country.

Importance from examination point of view:

i) 2008-P1-Q.11 - (Related topic) Examine whether rural women in India have been empowered by their active participation in the Panchayti Raj System. ii) 2006-P1-Q.7(b) Discuss economic backwardness as a major challenges of Indian democracy. Can democracy and Development go together smoothly?
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