72-village study aims for change
A group of students from the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, are hoping to bring about real change across villages in the state.
Calling themselves, Wisdom, the group has visited about 72 villages in Mahbubnagar, Jogulamba, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Karimnagar and Jagtiyal districts to engage with residents and figure out solutions to local problems.
They have prepared a report highlighting gaps that need to be filled by the official committees formed under “Grama Jyothy” programme. They plan to submit the report to the Panchayat Raj minister.
N. Ravi Verma, a member of Wisdom, said the gap between what was available to villagers and what’s required is considerable. “For example, at a primary school at Errapur Tanda, in Metpally of Jagtiyal district, we found that the students spoke only Banjara language and could not understand Telugu or Hindi. But the school teacher does not know that language and this has led to a huge communication gap. The government can depute teachers who can communicate in Banjara language,” Mr Verma said.
Another member of Wisdom, P. Yadaiah, said a tribal hamlet at Achhampet was suffering from water shortage despite the presence of a water tank nearby.
“There is water stored but no pipelines to deliver it to homes. Residents come to the tank every day to collect it. Also, there are areas where phone signals are missing,” Mr Yadaiah said.