Members of the IIT-Delhi alumni association have come together to adopt 150 villages across the country to carry out a slew of development works, including sewage disposal, plantation and renovation of panchayat ghars.
Adoption of Pahari
The initiative was formally kicked off by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar at an event on Sunday, with the association formally adopting Pahari village in Gurugram’s Pataudi.
Haryana Irrigation Department superintending engineer Shiv Singh Rawat, who is also an association member, said 35 members of the outfit had expressed willingness to be a part of the initiative after the idea was mooted a month ago. Mr. Rawat said several members of the association had already adopted villages and were working for their development in their individual capacities. Mr. Rawat has adopted 30 villages in Palwal district and has been working for their upliftment since the past two years.
Funds for initiative
“The association members have decided to adopt 150 villages across the country, including 35 in Haryana, as part of this initiative. Money will be raised through CSR funds, crowdfunding and contribution by association members. Social auditing of the development works will also be done,” said Mr. Rawat.
Focus will be on sewage disposal, waste segregation, renovation of panchayat ghars/ community centres, opening of libraries and tree plantation in the adopted villages.
Unnat Bharat Abhiyan
The association’s initiative has been linked with the Union Human Resource Development Ministry’s Unnat Bharat Abhiyan and an expression of interest was signed in this regard during Sunday’s event.
Mr. Rawat said Mr. Khattar appreciated the initiative and proposed the launch of a programme in Haryana on the lines of the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan.