Raj Nivas Connect Series 5 | A Student Exclusive 23.6.

2020
Paper submission by: Nishant Kumar
Topic: DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL ECONOMIES

DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL ECONOMIES

Some of the most iconic developments in urban planning and
management, such as mid-19th century sanitation systems were
developed in response to public health crises such as cholera outbreaks.
Does COVID-19 question this feasibility of densely populated cities?
In my opinion places demarcated as ‘Red-Zones’ are a great example of
how unhygienic conditions and high population density affect not only
the people living there but non-residents as well. It is not a surprise to
hear that it is these red zones that account for 70% of all COVID-19
cases in India. This directly relates to developing rural economies by
moving industries to rural areas and create livelihoods there to decongest
cities. How can we employ people who don’t have access to a formal
education or who have lost out due to the pandemic?
Shifting our focus to this huge population of people is essential for the
future of our country because a whopping 30% of our population is
illiterate and unemployed. Skill based development of the rural
population will go a long way in increasing employment in the
Manufacturing and Agro based industries. I feel Increasing School-NGO
interaction can help the underprivileged, where we who are receiving an
education can devote our time to those in need of one by volunteering to
help this cause. Schools can act as a great environment to inculcate
many positive practices such as ‘Plastic Ban’, ‘Zero-wastage of Paper’.