PANCHAYATI SWARAJ

Second Freedom; when my village becomes self-responsible

SixFreedoms...5Political...5.4Integration
5.4 Integration
A village community must integrate into the national processes that spring from the constitution of India. There will always be institutions such as political parties, non-governmental organizations, the government, media agencies, commercial institutions, neighboring villages and higher panchayat-based organizations which will play an important role in the dynamics of the village environment. It will be in the interest of the nation if the village can retain a distinguished identity while at the same time dovetail comfortably into this existing political-economic environment.
Relevance:         This is important for the smooth running of the government both at the local and higher levels. ... The dynamics of freedom can be sustained well if the interactions between the governments at the local and higher levels are harmonious. While it is easy to see that an excellent higher-level government can facilitate freedom through the local government, the reverse is not all that obvious—but true nonetheless. If villages are driven by the motives of freedom, then they can come together to pressurize political parties, the media, members of legislatures, government executives and the higher judiciary to move in the direction that is favorable to freedom. The obvious instrument is the vote, but other means of communicating with these authorities are also available in the institution of the village government, and all such interactions must be used effectively.

Detailed Rationale:         The village will be called upon to participate in all kinds of activities beneficial ... to the region in which it exists. It will be expected to contribute to the betterment of the nation, wellbeing of the citizens, general upkeep of law and order and the like. The free village will be a willing spoke in such activities; in fact, it should take it upon itself to shoulder initiatives on behalf of the other neighboring communities too.

Without being divided within itself, a village must play a productive role in the election of MPs and MLAs. It must arrange for these persons to be heard at public forums in the villages set up by the villages themselves.

The village must coordinate with development agencies at all levels (center-district and state-taluka) so that the development process designed for them is understood, advantage is taken of the opportunity, the officials are facilitated in the process of delivery and proper feedback is given to the concerned authorities.

The inter-village zone, where various villages come together for some collective good, is where great patronage needs to be offered for all kinds of welfare activities. It is in this zone that great initiatives for the betterment of the region and society need to be taken up. When such initiatives are taken up, the free village will come forward more than halfway to cooperate and help take any constructive project to its logical conclusion. In fact, this is the general area wherein all well-wishers will need to exert their best efforts. (This aspect has been taken up in Section V of part II of the book "Rising to Second Freedom:Enlightened minds Ignited spirit" and it is of vital importance.)

A special mention may be made here of knowledge and skill upgrading. There will be many initiatives from outside the village to transfer knowledge, skills and technologies to the members of the village. These initiatives may be focused on economic benefits or benefits in any of the other spheres of life. Such training may be directed at the educated or those who are not literate. In all such activities, greater merit in the process of integration will mean enthusiastic participation so that the level of general good of the people, community and nation can be raised.

Success Stories and Action:
(Share examples of villages that have succeeded with this freedom. Click here for feedback.)
The level above the panchayat which is equivalent to the mandala, the PURA headquarters or the taluka, is very important in the sustaining of freedoms at the lowest levels. A great deal of political, executive and judicial work besides social, commercial and development work should be handled by active non-government and government workers. The villages must facilitate all such processes and come more than halfway to encourage productive work in all fields within their domains.

Whether it is about taking advantage of government facilities, NGO efforts, commercial opportunities or political parties’ actions, most successful village movements have achieved their success by taking advantage of both their internal energies and the opportunities offered to them by their environment.

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