In my recent field visits to remote and rural parts of the country, I observed that these places are the perfect get away spots. Although the purpose for the visits for me was official, but I realised as we moved out of main cities many things started happening – one there is incomparable amount of peace in areas that are away from the cities. Small villages in far away places, have clean air and the nature is in its true colors. Your body, lungs get rejuvenated, away from the daily rush and grind that we have in the cities. In cities as the population is more, with that also comes the cut throat competition. People are ever ready to cut each other off to get their pie and move forward in their lives. While as we go away into the country side, we realize that people tend to live in a very calm and self-sustaining manner. There is a feeling of being grateful with whatever they seem to have, and people live in a simple manner. There is so much to learn about this perspective – while people in villages also continue to work in farms etc. but they seem to do it in a balanced manner. The city life is about the fast pace. 

We also know and see that the cities have been congested. Many people have moved from small town and villages to the big cities thereby leading to increase in population, pollution etc. The way to decongest the cities is that if we also think of ways by which we can generate employment/livelihood opportunities in rural areas. The person who is displacing from those areas to mainland is doing so in search of better livelihood opportunities. 

In local and remote villages – things like fresh food that comes straight from the farms and clean air are available in abundance. There is also added peace and natural beauty which one looks forward to as they go out on a break. If we are able to promote rural tourism – the person can get a perfect getaway, they can get the reset from the rush and chaos of bigger cities. The same will also enable the local villagers with ideas on entrepreneurship opportunities with the resources that they have. They will open up homestays to host the tourists etc. to give them the local experience, they can promote organic farming practices, where people from mainland can come and learn these techniques in the farms. More livelihood opportunities will come up. 

If somehow, we are able to make rural tourism a feel-good movement, also through the latest tech that we have, where people when they visit such places also share stories of the areas and highlight these areas, then the reverse tourism/migration will begin. We all can come in a position that people who have the money in the cities can start strengthening the economies of local villages and places of far-flung areas. Videos, pictures and media of the visits that they make can be shared on media and communication channels for wider outreach. 

At the end of the day as one sets out for vacation – they look for following – getting the reset, good food, clean environment and nature at its best. Remote and rural India has various and more than enough pockets where all of this is available. 

Remember, as we embark on our next vacation plan, we can think and keep rural India in mind. As this momentum builds, we will slowly galvanize the village ecosystem, holistic and equal growth will take place among fellow communities pan India and the same will also help as to move collectively towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. 

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