Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, recently highlighted the importance of developing smart villages in line with the ongoing smart city initiatives. Speaking at the 42nd Convocation of the School of Planning and Architecture, he shared his vision of building a smart village, which includes affordable housing with essential services like free electricity and water. He also stressed the importance of knowledge, its conversion into wealth, and the role of educated manpower in realising India's goal of becoming a USD 5 trillion economy. Gadkari emphasised that ecology, economy, and environment must work in harmony for sustainable development.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, strongly advocated for the creation of smart villages, proposing that these rural areas should be developed with the same focus and technological innovation as urban smart cities. Speaking at the 42nd Convocation of the School of Planning and Architecture, Gadkari raised an important question: why should the concept of smart cities be limited to urban spaces alone, and not extended to rural areas?
He shared his vision of a self-sustaining and affordable smart village, where residents would have access to basic necessities like free electricity and water throughout their lives. His initiative includes a model smart village consisting of a 1,000 square-foot plot with a 500 square-foot house, priced at INR 5 lakh, which he believes would be a step towards bridging the gap between urban and rural living standards. The Minister's remarks illustrated how a smart village could contribute to rural development and improve the quality of life for its residents.
In addition to advocating for rural development, Gadkari highlighted the significance of education and the transformation of knowledge into wealth, which he believes is vital for the future of India. He emphasised that educated manpower will play a critical role in realising the vision of making India a USD 5 trillion economy and achieving self-reliance. Gadkari argued that knowledge is crucial in every profession, yet it is not just knowledge alone that will drive success. He stressed that qualities like presence of mind, practical experience, decision-making, interpersonal skills, and the ability to present ideas effectively are just as important for achieving progress and fostering innovation.
Gadkari concluded his address by stressing the importance of balancing three essential pillars of society: ecology, economy, and environment. He explained that while it is vital to protect the environment and ecological balance, the country also needs to continue its development efforts. The key to sustainable progress, according to Gadkari, lies in striking a balance between these pillars, ensuring that development and environmental protection go hand in hand. To achieve this, he called for greater cooperation, coordination, and communication across all sectors, whether governmental, industrial, or environmental.
Nitin Gadkari's remarks underline the need to rethink rural development by creating smart villages that are on par with urban smart cities. His vision of an affordable, sustainable living model with free utilities presents a promising way forward for rural India. He also emphasised that the future of India lies in transforming knowledge into wealth, with educated individuals playing a pivotal role in achieving the nation's economic goals. Gadkari's call for balancing ecology, economy, and the environment highlights the need for sustainable development while fostering innovation.
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