The Hindu : Kerala News : Banks, NGOs taking initiatives in rural development

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 07, 2006

Kerala

Kerala

Banks, NGOs taking initiatives in rural development

R. Ramabhadran Pillai

Villages to benefit from schemes; more facilities to be provided in Government schools

KOCHI: The Confederation of NGOs of Rural India (CNRI), a coordinating agency under the Union Government, has drawn out ambitious plans to enrich the rural life by providing modern amenities in villages. One of its schemes is to provide facilities in government schools in rural areas.

The school libraries are to be upgraded as an initial measure, according to N. Balagopal, chief coordinator of the programme. The thrust is to supply a knowledge base relevant to the rural life.

The schools will be developed as information centres imparting knowledge on new farming practices and implements, marketing avenues and other related developments.

The centres will have television sets and computers with internet connections. These centres will also function as medical extension centres. Telemedicine facilities will be extended with the help of the Indian Space Research Organisation. The facility will enable interaction between the rural people and experts in medical science. The arrangement will also help reduce the problems arising out of the non-availability of expert medical advice in rural areas.

These centres can also function as avenues to organise self-employment programmes, trade exhibitions and seminars. Focus can be laid on issues such as group farming and water conservation.

Village knowledge centres launched by the lead bank of Ernakulam, Union Bank of India, have become emulative in respect of the range of services provided to the rural masses.

The bank had started a `village knowledge centre' at its branch at the Neerpara panchayat in the Amballoor grama panchayat. It offers help to implement programmes in skill development, micro-enterprises and farming techniques, according to a top official of the bank.

A farmers' club has already been formed there. Farmers are being given training in various disciplines that incorporate technological advances. Several self-help groups of farmers have been formed under the aegis of the bank.

The bank is operating a Rural Development and Self-employment Training Institute (Rudseti) at Perumbavoor where experts take classes on food processing, fabrication, apiculture, embroidery, etc.

The centre has organised several short-term courses in various disciplines such as computer education, sericulture, entrepreneurship development, mobile phone servicing, mushroom cultivation, videography, aluminium fabrication and food processing.

The Ernakulam-based Peekay Tree Crops Development Foundation is another organisation extending development works in rural areas. The NGO has initiated various steps in integrated farming with a view to improving the yield from conventional farms. The foundation provides practical training in various activities such as recycling of organic waste, organic management of coconut holdings and cultivation of medicinal plants.

It also conducts studies to benefit rural farmers, according to P.K. Thampan, its president.

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