A brief report of a day-long Seminar
on
"Rural Development in the light of Swami Vivekananda's Ideology"
held on 18th August 2007 at RMIC/Golpark
on the eve of Pre Silver Jubilee Celebration

The VSSS decided to observe the Pre silver Jubilee programme as a preparatory measure for the Silver Jubilee celebration which falls from August, 2007. While we have a very ambitious plan and programme for Silver Jubilee celebration, we thought to consolidate our organization internally, both at peripheral and HQ level, and as such we decided to organize a seminar on the concept - "Rural Development in the light of Swami Vivekananda's Ideology". The main objective of the Seminar was to attract the young mind both at village and city levels so that the main theme is exposed to the people at large. With this background, in an environment of the Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture we decided to organize a day-long seminar on 18 August, 2007. The very outline of the seminar was to create awareness among the general public at large the key-point message of the VSSS and the main strength of the VSSS and its achievements. The afternoon session was designed to concentrate on the village units - their main activities and problem discussion whatever comes during work. The very methodology of inviting various organizations in the rural areas was planned in such a way that the neighboring organizations working in the radius of about 10-15 kms each of our existing 6 centres in the 6 districts of WB. The main reason for such a limitation was only to give an opportunity so that there is a scope of visiting our centres to verify the work and understand the principle in practice.

After the programme is complete if we sit for an analysis of the whole programme it is found that the first part of the seminar for which it was designed for was successful. As we have already said it is the exposure to and appraisal of the city-based donors and patrons - the purpose is more or less served. But if we come to the second part of the programme which was supposed to deal with the village level problems and discussion and also recommendation thereof, was not that much contributory. If we try to analyse the reasons the following issues will come :

• Types of organizations who participated in the seminar from various districts were of very small size, newly formed and mostly seekers of VSSS' health care service. The real, stable, well-organized NGOs were not responded.
• Many organizations did not turn up even after the registration.
• Poor coordination amongst the expert speakers, group leaders and record keepers.
• The subjects chosen for discussion were so focused on the village development work as to stick to the subject of discussion, required very good homogenous type of participants which was lacking in the seminar.
• The main goal-setting recommendation expected from the Group discussion was not appreciated by the Group leaders and not even by the experts who prepared the summary of recommendations. As a result the desired recommendations were not readily made available.

However, an honest and challenging attempt has been made to create an environment of discussion amongst the NGOs working in the same ideology and principle in the village area and also to create a brainstorming session to identify the key-points of their problems and success. This is not an over-night changes to come magically, which may take some long time to happen. But the only positive thing is, an attempt has been made and an environment has been created, thus the VSSS can take the leadership role in continuing this short of discussion in future.

If we sincerely analyse the management of the entire Seminar there are many shortcomings which are bound to come in organizing such a programme, like :

• Excellent team work was not visible;
• Pre-seminar preparation and rehearsal was not adequate;
• Logistic and distribution system was not of that standard which requires improvement;
• To have business-like discussion in the Group meeting, effective Group Leader control was not available which has resulted in disappointment in the group discussion.

However, organizing such a big programme by a voluntary organization like VSSS in an Institution like RMIC and that also with a multi-campus arrangement and time-bound discussion, is a matter of great appreciation and praise. It is a great honour for our volunteers who have dedicated their time in trying to make it a success. We are hopeful for the next phase of programme which is ahead.

DELEGATES' PARTICIPATION :

• Total Delegate - 303 (agegroup : <40=35%, <60=40%)
• at Individual level - 89
• at Organization level - 214
• Total organizations - 55 (Mostly engaged in Health & education sectors)
• Districts covered - 12 districts & Kolkata (Bankura, Bardhaman, Birbhum, Dinajpur, S.24pgs, N.24pgs, Nadia, Howrah, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Hooghly, Murshidabad, Kolkata)

GROUP DISCUSSION : (Delegates were devided into following 4 groups to discuss on the subjects) :

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS ARISING OUT OF GROUP DISCUSSION :

Progress of a country depends upon the development of its common people. In a country like India where the greater part of population live in villages and belong to the below poverty level, the idea of rural development finds the place of greater relevance. Thus, the motto of rural development:

• Total development of villages;
• It requires specific plan ;
• Manifestation of self-dignity and self-esteem. Resolving the socio-economic problems;
• Integrated approach is necessary to carry forward the ideology of Swami Vivekananda for rural development;
• Health, education, socio-economic development and environment awareness will be the areas of integration;
• Awareness campaigns should be carried out for making the people conscious about - harm of drug addiction, usefulness of child education, hygiene, proper diet, health - specially health of mother and child, curbing the domestic violence and so on;

Without community participation the development cannot be materialized, and as such :

• To reach the goal, in the first place, a specific plan/system or process should be undertaken in order to accomplish any project unitedly and uniformly;
• In this respect, democratic leadership and discipline (among the community/group) are strongly recommended;
• The leader should have the ability to take ready decisions, well-acclaimed, devoid of any biasness, strong-hearted, patient and tolerant. The active participation of the local mass must be assured.
• Evaluation and accounts should be maintained after the work/project starts;
• People, unable to provide financial support, should give physical labour and be the part of the process;
• The villagers should acquire such a positive control over the developmental work that they will carry forward the same after the private organization leaves it.

In this way the rural development can be formulated successfully.