Envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi in his seminal work, 'Hind Swaraj,' the Western developmental paradigm, grounded in centralized technologies and urbanization, has engendered pressing challenges such as burgeoning inequality (resulting in crime and violence) and climate change due to rapid ecological degradation. Addressing these issues requires the fostering of rural development in harmony with Gandhi's vision of self-sufficient 'village republics,' utilizing local resources and deploying decentralized, eco-friendly technologies. This approach aims to locally meet essential needs like food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, healthcare, energy, livelihood, transportation, and education.
This comprehensive vision for village development is paramount. Currently, 70% of India's population resides in rural areas, predominantly engaged in an agrarian economy. Despite agriculture and allied sectors employing 51% of the total workforce, their contribution to the country's GDP is a mere 17%. Profound developmental disparities persist between rural and urban sectors, spanning health, education, incomes, basic amenities, and employment opportunities, precipitating widespread discontent and substantial migration to urban centers. The imperative of sustainable development, increasingly acknowledged on a global scale, necessitates eco-friendly rural development and the creation of local employment opportunities. The escalating trend of urbanization is neither sustainable nor desirable. Historically, professional higher education institutions have predominantly catered to the mainstream industrial sector, offering limited direct contributions to rural development. The Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) emerges as a vital and challenging initiative in steering towards comprehensive rural development.
Unnat Bharat Abhiyan is inspired by the vision of transformational change in rural development processes by leveraging knowledge institutions to help build the architecture of an Inclusive India and to have a paradigm shift in academic and research programs of the country.
1. Develop the necessary mechanism and proper coordination among educational institutions, implementation agencies (District administration / Panchayati Raj Institutions) and the grassroots level stakeholders to enable effective intervention at the field level.
2. Select suitable rural clusters and effectively participate in the holistic development of these clusters using eco-friendly sustainable technologies and local resources creating sufficient employment opportunities in the process, harnessing multifarious government schemes, customised use of existing technologies and use of knowledge as per the local needs.
3. Reorienting the academic curricula and research programs in higher educational institutions to make them more responsive to the needs of the time and to bring in holistic development and enrich knowledge of students about issues of villages/society.
IT Palakkad as Regional Coordinating Institute (RCI): Indian Institute of Technology Palakkad is the Regional Coordinating Institute for 5 northern districts in Kerala - Palakkad, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasargod. RCIs foster collaboration, promote learning, and facilitate seamless coordination to ensure the success of the initiative in the region.
The Department of Social Work, Mercy College, Palakkad, in collaboration with Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), Regional Coordinating Institute (RCI), IIT Palakkad, organized an insightful session on “Mental Health in an Unequal World” on 23rd September 2025 at 10.30 a.m. in the college seminar hall. The session was led by Dr. Sudarshan R. Kottai, Assistant Professor and UBA RCI Coordinator, North Kerala Region, IIT Palakkad. The programme began with a brief introduction and inauguration by Dr.Sr. Louly N M, principal, Mercy College Palakkad, followed by Dr. Sudarshan’s engaging presentation. To set the tone, he initiated a quiz competition, which actively involved the participants and created a vibrant learning atmosphere.
During the session, Dr. Sudarshan highlighted multiple dimensions of mental health in the context of social inequalities. He particularly emphasized the impact of gender inequalities on mental health, the lack of sensitivity in addressing the issues of vulnerable individuals, structural issues in society that exacerbate mental health problems, rising suicidal tendencies and the systemic gaps in prevention, the influence of power structures related to sexuality on psychological well-being, the challenges faced by the LGBTQ community and the need for inclusive mental health practices. The session was highly informative and thought-provoking, encouraging participants to critically reflect on the intersection of mental health, inequality, and social justice. It concluded with an interactive discussion, where students and faculty shared their observations and queries, making the session even more engaging.
