Patna University to Revisit Village Adoption Under Unnat Bharat Abhiyan
Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has directed state universities to adopt five villages each. This move aims to ensure all-round development under the Union government's flagship programme, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan. Patna University, however, had already taken this step back in 2018.
Early Adoption and Initial Efforts
Patna University adopted five villages under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan scheme six years ago. The university completed some basic works in these selected villages. Their goal was to ensure proper growth and development, turning them into smart villages. Unfortunately, progress did not continue satisfactorily. The reasons for this slowdown remain known only to the authorities.
Village Selection and NSS Involvement
Initially, the village development work was entrusted to the National Service Scheme. The NSS took up the matter with earnest effort. They selected five villages in Patna district based on suggestions from the district magistrate. The chosen villages are:
- Dhibra in Jamsaut panchayat under Danapur block
- Chhitnawan in Khashipur panchayat, Maner block
- Dhaulpura in Marchi panchayat, Patna Sadar
- Saim Chak in Chilbilli panchayat, Phulwari block
- Bahuwara in Chipura panchayat, Sampatchak block
Former NSS programme coordinator Atul Aditya Pandey shared details with this newspaper. He explained that the district administration helped the university identify these villages for the development plan.
Original Development Plan
According to the plan, Patna University was expected to work closely with the district administration. Their tasks included:
- Providing customised technological solutions
- Undertaking field studies
- Studying the implementation of government schemes
- Facilitating implementation according to local needs
Pandey noted that all teachers, students, officials, and non-teaching staff of the university and its colleges would be associated with this scheme. This involvement aimed to apprise them of rural realities.
Student and Faculty Roles
PU students and faculty members were supposed to carry out studies of living conditions in the adopted villages. They would assess local problems and needs. Their work included leveraging technological interventions and improving processes in implementing various government schemes. They would prepare workable action plans for the selected villages.
Such knowledge inputs were intended to make their way into development programmes in rural areas. Pandey emphasized that this process would reorient faculty and students, connecting them to rural masses. This connection would make their learning and research works more relevant to society.
Field Visits and Community Interaction
PU students and teachers, along with NSS volunteers, visited some of these villages. They interacted with villagers to gain first-hand knowledge of their problems. Village mukhiyas extended full cooperation to the PU team members, showing community support for the initiative.
Transfer to Rural Studies Department
After some time, the NSS transferred the entire work to the PU rural studies department. This move aimed to ensure better progress of the scheme, according to Pandey. The transfer represented an attempt to reinvigorate the development efforts.
Fresh Start Under UBA Scheme
PU's internal quality assurance cell director, Birendra Prasad, has announced that the university will revisit the adopted villages. They plan to make a fresh start to ensure all-round socio-economic and cultural development under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan scheme. This revival comes in response to the governor's recent directive, aligning with the original 2018 adoption.
