Rural development lies at the heart of any meaningful development strategy. This is the only
mechanism to carry the message to the majority of the people and to obtain their involvement in
measures designed to improve productivity levels. Rural population exceeds 70 percent of the
total population of the country, despite a rapid rate of urbanization. Average rural income is 34
percent less than per capita urban income. A large part of under employment is still concealed in
various rural activities particularly in the less developed parts of the country. For centuries, the
true magnitude of poverty has been concealed from view by pushing a large part of it to the rural
areas. This set in motion a self-perpetuating mechanism. The more enterprising and talented in
the rural society migrated to the cities in search of dreams which were seldom realized. Such
migrants added to urban squalor. The relatively more prosperous in the rural society opted for
urban residence for different reasons. The rural society itself has in this way systematically been
denuded of its more enterprising elements, as rural areas developed the character of a huge and
sprawling slum. Development in the past has touched rural scene mainly via agricultural
development programmes. These are essential and would have to be intensified. Much more
important is a large scale expansion of physical and social infrastructure on the village scene.
These included rural roads, rural water supply and village electrification as a part of the change
in the physical environment and primary education and primary health care as the agents of
social change. The task is to provide modern amenities as an aid for bringing into motion the
internal dynamics of the rural society on a path leading to increase in productivity and self-help,
changing the overall surrounding, while preserving coherence, integrated structure and the rich
cultural heritage of the rural society. (311 words)

Précis: Rural development is the only pragmatic approach to engage people in schemes to improve productivity. About two third of total population of country has been living in poverty-stricken rural areas with high underemployment. The talented youngsters and wealthy people of rural society have managed to get access to modern cities for better living standards. The development in rural areas is restrained to agriculture only while there is dire need to develop physical infrastructures, health care and primary education. The job is to aid rural society with modern facilities energizing them to enhance their productivity with utmost preservation of its primordial integrity, adhesion and distinct cultural heritage. (106 words)
Title: The development of Rural Society