The majority of our country that lives a rural life in villages is a symbol of our aspirations. Policy makers from the top down and citizens from bottom up are cognizant of the fact that sustainable transformation of India is incomplete without the proper inclusion of rural India in its growth story. Transformational stories of rural enterprises and multiple instances of reverse migration are evidence of the concerted efforts taken by the government and policy makers time to time. The early morning image of a rugged farmer pulling a plough has faded before the newer reality of a growing India. It isn’t a coincidence that this growth is emerging after the government’s total commitment towards inclusive growth Sabka Saath, Sabka Gaon, Sabka Vikas.

As of now, it been two years since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the government’s ‘Rurban’ Mission, with a cluster-based development model, to be able to provide urban amenities to rural India. Three hundred village clusters were made by keeping in mind that rural India isn’t stand-alone settlements but a collection of villages nearby that could derive advantages from location and economic drivers. These centres of economic activity, in turn, became a factor for spurred economic growth, empowered individuals and improved the quality of life in rural India.

Growth is impossible with isolation, and Bharat has increasingly been connected, physically and digitally to move from silos to solutions, foster market access, provide banking, enhance self-employment and livelihood opportunities and utilise economies of scale. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) has reached a total 82 percent of its total target and connected close to 1.5 lakh habitations with all-weather roads. Roads are allowing Bharat to invest in its future, tractor sales alone have risen by a whopping 34 percent y-o-y, post-GST. Launched last year, Saubhagya will give free electricity to over ten crore families that live in rural areas. The ambitious Bharatnet is on its way to conquer the digital divide across the country, with over 1.05 lakh gram panchayats having internet access today. Digital and physical connectivity are growth drivers here; they allow self-sustenance, financial independence and greater opportunities.

Most recently, Kuragunda village entrepreneur Satya and wife Padma (names changed), were struggling with the headwinds of urbanisation and lack of local infrastructure, leave alone planning for their and their children’s future. But the past few years have changed that to very much extent. Satish is now hopeful of a better future and a shiny red tractor parked outside his house will prove that. The financial inclusion revolution, fostered by the innovative digital banking system has already allowed him to enter the formal economy and benefit from credit lines through MUDRA and other schemes. Internet access has allowed him to look beyond his village as a wide market for his produce and mobile banking ensures timely payments from his customers. Tech-enabled innovative business models such as the ‘uberisation’ of tractors have meant that Satish is just one of many who have received a great benefit from alternative revenue streams supported by digital.

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