Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP)

 

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Challenges in Border Villages (need of VVP)

5.3 VVP: Boosting Infrastructural Development, Aiming reverse migration

5.4 VVP: Bringing N-East in Prime Focus

5.5 VVP: In response to Chinese Aggression

5.6 Conclusion

 

5.1 Introduction:

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched Vibrant Villages Programme in Kibithu, the Eastern most village of Arunachal Pradesh which was overrun by Chinese troops in 1st phase of 1962 Indo-China war. The centrally sponsored scheme has a budget of allocation of 4800 crores which covers over 2967 villages in 46 blocks under 19 districts which are located along the border areas of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand Himachal Pradesh and Union territory of Ladakh. In the first phase 662 villages have been prioritized under the scheme out of which 455 villages are located at Indo-China border of Arunachal Pradesh. The programme seeks to improve the quality of life in border villages, aiming to encourage villagers to stay at native locations, prevent migration. Road connectivity, Health care centers, basic facilities such as Water and Electricity from renewable sources such as solar and wind energy, Internet connectivity are the different sectors receiving heavy investments for rapid development.

5.2 Challenges in Border Villages (need of VVP):

The social and economic development of border areas was a must since we gained independence from the British but there have been several factors that has challenged the development of these areas such as difficult terrain, constant aggression from the Chinese and mainly our mindset of not developing these areas. This created a huge gap between the mainland area and the border areas especially in North-Eastern regions of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Basic facilities such as water and electricity never reached here. Water crisis remains a major problem as women's have to travel long distances to get fresh drinking water. Due to lack of economic opportunities migration started from these areas. These areas have rich sites of tourist attraction but due to lack of connectivity infrastructural development it couldn't attract tourism.

5.3 VVP: Boosting Infrastructural Development, Aiming reverse Migration

The programme seeks to develop the infrastructure of border villages by improving road connectivity. Its primary focus is to provide basic facilities such as clean drinking water, electricity, Internet connectivity, and health care centers. It also aims to develop tourist centers health care infrastructure and wellness center. All these infrastructure developments will result in comprehensive development of villages of blocks on the northern borders. Thus, improving the quality of life of people living in the identified border villages. This will help encourage people to stay in their native locations in border areas and reverse the out migration from these villages adding to improved security of border.

5.4 VVP: Bringing N-East in Prime Focus

The northern borders of our country are blessed with scenic natural beauty salubrious weather, rich biodiversity, rare wildlife, historical sites, distinct cultural and ethnic heritage, and warm and welcoming people. The development of these areas will attract a lot of tourists, which will provide economic opportunities for the locals. There are various festivals celebrated here, which are gaining worldwide importance such as the Hornbill festival of Nagaland organized every year from December 1 to December 10. Parshuram Kund located in Arunachal Pradesh has attracted foreign tourists in recent past and the development of these areas though VVP will certainly help in filling the gaps which were created a long back and it will lead to overall social and economic development of border areas.

5.5 VVP: In response to Chinese Aggression

Infrastructural development cannot be interlinked with the protection and security of border areas, but it is a well-established fact that "local residents" living in the northern borders are the 1st line of defense.  "Border Area" is not just a piece of land, it is full of people, their loyalties towards their nation, especially the Indo-Tibetan communities. In the current global scenario, India's strategic culture has changed. Our stand in geopolitics is in a stronger position than it was during the post-independence period. Our defensive mindset to approach things has now changed in nature. The Vibrant Villages Programme is outcome of our offensive policy against our northern Neighbour country China. The mindset of Beijing is clear i.e. "If you are strong enough, they'll see you but if you are weak, they will crush you." Xi Jinping always want to assert hegemony over other nations and to show Chinese superiority. The program strengthens our border villages and gives a clear message to the PLA about the stand of India in its core national interest. The Chinese propaganda of claiming land by establishing settlements is not going to work furthermore. Seven new battalions including 9,400 personnel have been raised in Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) forces to keep our borders protected, which is a good response to recent Chinese aggression in Twang region.

5.6 Conclusion:

The vibrant villages program aims for social economic development of our border areas, preventing migration which also helps us in strengthening our internal security along northern borders has the best security of a nation lies in its people and their development.

— Team Yuva Aaveg

(Akhileshwar Maurya)

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