The ‘Water Man of Banda’, Mr. Heera Lal is known for his initiatives that primarily involve public participation, which leads to the transformation of projects wherever he sets his foot in. His dream to make ‘Model Gaons (villages)’ is also gradually coming to reality as he is motivating and involving the public in the entire process.
In an exclusive interaction with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Lal, who is currently posted as the Additional Mission Director with the National Health Mission in Uttar Pradesh, talked about his dream of model villages and how he is making it possible.
DEVELOPING THE RURAL VILLAGES
While he was posted as the District Magistrate of Banda, Mr. Lal implemented several developmental projects. Most of these showed great results as they were backed by enthusiastic public participation. This also helped him in avoiding the use of special budgets and diverting funds from other Government schemes. Through the involvement of the public itself, the officer was able to bring about a lot of development in the region.
After uplifting Banda, Mr. Lal realized that if they use the same kind of method in every rural cluster, soon there will be ample development in these regions as well. Therefore, he conceptualized the entire plan and started working towards the holistic development of the villages.
GRADUAL PROCESS
Rome was not built a day, and transforming an entire village definitely requires time and patience. Mr. Lal began with the project in January 2021, with a three-step procedure. Firstly, he is making the villagers understand what development really is and what parameters are required to develop the place.
“We set up 25 parameter indicators and go about educating each villager about it. This is all compiled in a ‘village manifesto’. Secondly, we appoint a slightly literate and social person as a leader and make them undergo a training module which is free of cost. Once, they receive the training, they can pick and choose 3-4 parameters out of the 25 and start working on it,” the officer told Indian Masterminds.
Thirdly, Mr. Lal is involving individual farmers from the ‘Farmer-Producer organization’ promoted by the state government and NABARD that allows them to come together and form a company.
“We encourage the 850 existing companies associated with us and give them training, market linkages, etc. These companies are formed by farmers and since most of them are not very expert in business management, financial management, and marketing of their product, etc., we guide them towards a better and systematic way of working.”
VILLAGERS’ PARTICIPATION
Through this, the officer is not only helping the rural villagers in obtaining a village that would provide them with all sorts of comfort and bring them into the mainstream line of living but also equally helping the individual farmers by either forming their company and if they already have one, by guiding or handholding them towards development.
If in case, the public or farmers face any kind of problem in their way, experts are called in from the agriculture department who further help them.
The entire initiative is also supported by the ICICI Foundation, which is providing them with the basic funding required to run the project. Regular meetings are also held to keep a check on the process and discuss the required improvements.
The entire ‘Model Gaon’ project is being worked upon in full swing to this day and the idea conceptualized by IAS Heera Lal is working wonders in attaining a holistic development.
