PANCHAYATI SWARAJ
Second Freedom; when my village becomes self-responsible
SixFreedoms...2Economic...2.1AdaptIntegrate
2.1 Adaptation and Integration
The village should display an ability to understand the economic need of the time and
should quickly fine-tune its processes in order to thrive in the commercial setup of the economy.
Relevance:
If a village cannot stand on its feet in the present economic scenario, it will lose out
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in many ways. It will not be able to beat poverty. Members of the village will have
to travel outside in order to succeed. It will be a perpetual sink of welfare measures.
It will hamper social stability. It will not be able to develop on the other freedoms
that are vital for it becoming a panchayati swaraj. It must shape its processes in such a way
that it will be able to create its own space in the nation’s economy while retaining
its value systems and indigenous processes. The questions it needs to ask are these.
Does it understand what it means to shift from developing to developed status?
If so, is it playing accordingly? Is it developing those parameters in the village
which will enable its members to compete successfully in the new economic environment?
How well does it cooperate with the surrounding villages to ensure that productivity
and commerce are enhanced through partnership?
Detailed Rationale:
After the coming of the changes of 1991, there has been a shift in the focus of the Indian economy.
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Many erstwhile protections have been removed, and all the players have to find
their own ways to survive in the competitive environment of the marketplace.
Once the implications of this are understood, it naturally follows that a village community
must plan and move in such a way that it will fit comfortably into the new economic system.
At this point, it does not make sense to withdraw into a shell and say that we do not want the new system. The system is inevitably upon us. Even nations like China that were working on an alternate model have had to withdraw and accept the pursuit of a market-based system. This cannot be avoided. Once this inevitability is understood, then it remains for the village to find out ways by which it can compete in the market place so that the economic needs of the village can be adequately met.
This freedom is more of a measurement parameter. The faster it develops a model for thriving in the present trade and commerce arrangements, the better. Of course, there will be a need for assistance from outside the village. It will help if external agencies work on making knowledge that will increase this awareness available in capsule form so that villages can easily swallow them. But ultimately, it will be upon the village itself to understand the dynamic needs of the ever-changing economic world and develop the nimbleness to thrive in any situation.
At this point, it does not make sense to withdraw into a shell and say that we do not want the new system. The system is inevitably upon us. Even nations like China that were working on an alternate model have had to withdraw and accept the pursuit of a market-based system. This cannot be avoided. Once this inevitability is understood, then it remains for the village to find out ways by which it can compete in the market place so that the economic needs of the village can be adequately met.
This freedom is more of a measurement parameter. The faster it develops a model for thriving in the present trade and commerce arrangements, the better. Of course, there will be a need for assistance from outside the village. It will help if external agencies work on making knowledge that will increase this awareness available in capsule form so that villages can easily swallow them. But ultimately, it will be upon the village itself to understand the dynamic needs of the ever-changing economic world and develop the nimbleness to thrive in any situation.
Success Stories and Action:
(Share examples of villages that have succeeded with this freedom.
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This freedom is driven by education, information transfer, responsibility-shouldering by the village,
teamwork and general awareness. If a village works on improving its communication and
information-updating channels, it is bound to keep pace with this aspect of freedom.
The opportunities are large. Besides the primary industries, manufacturing, tourism and
IT-based services must be explored. Three connectivities of the PURA model—physical,
electronic and knowledge—must be ensured so that proper economic integration is achieved.
Digital connectivity is rapidly ensuring electronic connectivity and facilitating knowledge connectivity;
therefore much of this work is already happening. Incidentally, economic connectivity is
considered as the fourth of the connectivities proposed by the PURA model.
To be economically connected is the channel. ‘To plan for economic integration into the national and
international economy while maintaining its own core competence and identity’ is the freedom;
else, the same connectivities can facilitate the degradation of the villages.
Here is a write-up on the PURA model: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Providing_Urban_Amenities_to_Rural_Areas
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Here is a write-up on the PURA model: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Providing_Urban_Amenities_to_Rural_Areas