Naubasta Village and the Struggle for Rural Development

The story is based on my RI field visits to the rural area, during which the lives of the people in the Noubasta village were observed. Through these experiences, as a development practitioner, I gather insights into the community's challenges and seek to establish a constructive viewpoint for resolving their issues.

Afterwards, I attended a meeting organized by Educate Girls volunteer Thakur Sir in the Noubasta village. The villagers had made suitable arrangements for staying since I had come from Delhi. However, I decided to sit down with the people attending the meeting. This decision surprised the villagers. I told them that sitting with them would bring me joy because I am also a person just like them. This decision made all the people look at me with happiness. This experience taught me the essence of humanity. It gave me the confidence to undertake social work with enthusiasm.

While discussing life in the village, Muhammad Ali highlighted the challenging livelihoods of people in Nobasta. Despite being located on the banks of the Rapti River, the region faces floods, causing extensive crop damage and leading to substantial losses for farmers. Surprisingly, the government has not taken any measures to compensate for these losses. As a result, many families have to migrate to larger cities for employment, leaving behind the rural way of life.

The absence of job opportunities in the village forces two individuals from each family to relocate for work in larger cities. This situation mainly affects women and children, as the village lacks alternative resources beyond agriculture. Consequently, families need help to make ends meet, and the absence of basic amenities like government primary health centres further complicates the lives of the villagers.

Muhammad Ali points out that the village has no primary health centre, requiring pregnant women to travel 70 kilometres to reach a hospital. Such journeys pose risks to the health of both mothers and infants. Additionally, the lack of access to higher secondary education in the village necessitates travelling 25 kilometres to nearby talukas, creating further challenges for the residents.

Regarding rural political leadership, Muhammad Ali says the villagers have a common understanding. That their authority is limited only to their voting capacity Because villagers expect to see the Sarpanch and the administration as guardians and look forward to reform schemes. However, the villagers' aspirations for social and personal growth are diminishing from the leader. In the end, villagers face the struggle of their existence, and disappointment grows in their minds. Muhammad Ali points out the political leadership and its direct impact on the dramatic disparities in public services. According to Muhammad Ali Bhau, corruption acts as a hurdle, preventing the beneficiaries of schemes like "Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)" from receiving the essential benefits. He believes corruption is prevalent even in programs meant to provide crucial services. Also, talking about MNREGA, Muhammad Ali says the village youth leaders consider MNREGA a 100-day employment lifeline; this employment opportunity is vital in stopping migration. MNREGA employs the villagers in 3 critical months: March, April, and May. Villagers leave for jobs this month, seeking livelihoods. MANREGA helps, but for 15 days, the Sarpanch provides work. Sadly, 50% face financial exploitation. The promise fades due to structural flaws, raising doubts about rural empowerment. Solutions are needed for fair opportunities, ensuring actual benefits reach those who need them.

Organic farming was seen as crucial during my inspection, especially when discussing it with local farmers in the village. Utilizing organic farming is considered very important for sustainable agriculture. This is because farming needs to be made sustainable when there is a concern about developing subsistence livelihoods. Therefore, efforts are directed towards the sustainable cultivation of crops. In this regard, 20 farmers in the village have adopted organic farming practices. This step has been taken to address issues related to the development of subsistence livelihoods, and priority has been given to activities that contribute to the sustainable transformation of agriculture. In the villages, the intertwining of problems, relationships, and people forms a close-knit. The village's residents deeply care for each other and have a strong sense of community. The villagers are known for their warm and loving nature, and they build strong connections with one another. Village life is characterized by the bonds of affection and understanding that the residents share, making it a place where people genuinely care for one another.

Nobasta village is a microcosm, facing numerous problems that adversely affect rural communities. Problems plaguing villagers include inequality in education, lack of health facilities, and challenges related to agriculture. Around a framework of data and norms, the lives of villagers highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to rural development, emphasizing empowerment, transparency, and real political inclusion. Ultimately, the energy to work for rural citizens as a development professional has matured from this experience. Due to this, I am determined to work in the development field. Akash Modak ( Co-Founder)

Eklavya India Foundation