(a) whether the higher education institutions in the country are running any
programme or course related to the development of rural India;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to take any steps for running development
programme in order to connect the Government educational and technical
institutions with rural areas in the country; and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether any efforts are being made in this regard; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)
(a) to (e) : Yes, Madam. The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has
launched Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) on 11th November, 2014 to enable higher
educational institutions to work with the people of rural India in identifying development
challenges and evolving appropriate solutions for accelerating sustainable growth. All
higher educational institutions, which are funded by the Central/ State Governments and
other eminent educational institutions have been advised to adopt clusters of Gram
Panchayats in their vicinity, apply their knowledge and technical expertise to assist the
local bodies/ district administration to formulate qualitative development plans for
implementation and subsequent improvement in the quality of rural life.
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi is presently the coordinating institute for Unnat
Bharat Abhiyan. A National Steering Committee has been constituted comprising eminent
scientist, technologists, educationists as well as representatives from six different
Ministries of Government of India. Thirteen other premier institutions of Science,
Technology and higher education have been enrolled to coordinate and engage in village
development exercise in different regions of the country. Ninety Eight districts in the
country have been identified for Phase-I of the programme. Twelve of the institutions are
working as Subject Expert Group (SEGs) on various development aspects. Their resources
and know-how will be accessible to other institutions working in the villages. The details
of the programme are available on UBA’s website http://unnat.iitd.ac.in/index.php/en/ .
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