New Delhi: It was hailed by late President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam as the “most suited” village development model for India and now the Sangh Parivar affiliate, Deendayal Research Institute (DRI), is hoping that its “Chitrakoot model” could be implemented across the nation. To assist Narendra Modi government’s efforts in the field of rural development, the DRI, founded by late Sangh Parivar stalwart Nanji Deshmukh, will be holding a “gramodaya mela” in February next year, where rural development ministers of all states, including non-NDA-ruled states, will be invited. However, being a Sangh Parivar event it would be seen how many non-NDA-ruled states participate in this event as RSS top brass, including Mohan Bhagwat, Bhaiyya Joshi, Madan Das Devi and Krishna Gopal, will also attend this four-day event in Madhya Pradesh.

The Modi government had come under fire on various occasions by its opponents over its attempt to “saffronise” various fields and even the RSS had been facing Opposition’s flak for “remote controlling” the Modi government.

Union minister for rural development Narendra Singh Tomar and other Central government ministers are also expected to attend the event, which will focus on the “integrated and holistic model” for village development where the stress is on “transformation through total development with people’s initiative and participation.”

Former Prime Minister and BJP patriarch Atal Behari Vajpayee had also visited Chitrakoot during his tenure as the PM and had greatly appreciated the village model and efforts of Nanji, whose “self-reliance campaign” for villages had been appreciated by leaders cutting across partylines. Late President Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam had also visited Chitrakoot on more than one occasion.   

The DRI, it was learnt, will be sending invitation for participation to all state governments for this event, where villagers from nearly 500 model villages will share their experiences and apprise about the model which also stresses on implementing innovative agricultural practices, inculcating scientific temper, improvement of health, hygiene, education and creating a cohesive conflict free society.