Visit To Baif's Integrated Development Programme At Manjunathapura, Tiptur Taluk, Tumkur, Karnataka

Partnership in rural development

I am very happy to be in the midst of the people belonging to the village Manjunathapura. Your desire to improve the quality of life in your village is indeed beautiful. BAIF is indeed a partner for you in your collective efforts to raise yourselves above the poverty line. The partnership of farmers and extension personnel has contributed well. I consider that this model can be replicated across the nation.

The people of Manjunathapura have learnt the technique of water harvesting and water conservation. Also, you have learnt the use of technology for farming and horticulture and succeeded in converting waste land into a productive land. There are many areas in Karnataka and elsewhere in the nation where land remains unused. I am sure the people of Manjunathpura can come forward and help neighboring villages also to make use of the land as they have done and bring prosperity to those people.

You have with your hard work succeeded in increasing your income from Rs.5000 p.a few years back to Rs.25,000 now. This is a good step forward. It should be possible with your further efforts to double this income within the next three years. I am sure BAIF will continue to extend its partnership for increasing the earning potential of all of you.

Healthcare in this area is another important need. One of the basic requirements for providing healthcare is good water. I understand there is fluoride content in water in this area. There are equipments produced to transform the brackish water into potable water. This I have seen in Bhimavaram at Byrraju foundation and also in Rajashtan. BAIF will certainly help the farmers to get the right equipment so that they can get potable water.

Your children education is very important. It is indeed an important wealth the parents can give. This will empower them with knowledge, you empower yourself with experience. In case if it is essential, arrangements can also be made to assist you in learning, how to read and write through a number of schools available in this area. This point of time, I would like to share with you a Tamil Kural written by Saint Thiruvalluvar 2200 years ago.

It means, "the important elements that constitute a nation are: being disease free; wealthy; high productivity; harmonious living and strong defence". All our efforts should be focused towards building these five elements at various levels in a coherent and in an integrated manner in all our villages, then only the developed India is possible. After looking at your achievements, I am convinced that our nation with a strong, vibrant and billion plus population can definitely realize this mission.

May I request you all, every one of you individually to take the following oath.

Declaration by the village citizens

1. Children are our precious wealth

2. We will give equal importance for male and female children in providing education and rights for growth of our society.

3. For health and prosperity we will have a small family.

4. Earnings come out of hard work. We will not waste it in gambling and liquor.

5. We will tell our children about the importance of education as learning gives knowledge and knowledge makes the children succeed.

6. We need to jointly protect our forest and prevent pollution.

7. We will plant at least five trees/saplings.

8. We will become the role models for our children.