Villagers in a 125-km radius in and around Ayodhya are hoping for a better future once the spiritual corridor project becomes a reality. The corridor, proposed under a public-private partnership, has received in-principle approval from the state government.
It aims to develop over 11,500 villages which fall under the given area, and generate education and employment here, as well as promote them as a spiritual tourism hub. The plan is likely to be rolled out by the next fiscal year.
The Special Spiritual Zone (SSZ)-Ayodhya will be developed as an entrepreneurial model by the Indo European Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises (IECSME), a private body which takes forward various government schemes. Its focus in this instance will be on the local level, with gram panchayats and local bodies playing a significant role.
For starters, the organisation is identifying schools that are unused or under-used. These schools will be leased out to NGOs or private players who will then take over operations. "Many students don't get quality education because of cheating, zero attendance, lack of faculty, etc. Roping in experienced people to manage these schools will help children who are the future of the country," says Vijay Tiwari, the president of IECSME.
The agriculture ministry and UPSME will also be involved in the programme. To generate employment, SSZ is inviting city-dwellers — retired professionals, working people who wish to move to quieter places, and graduates — and teach them employability skills. This will also let them experience rural life, Tiwari said. "Our target is to generate 25 jobs per village, and involve the 29 Panchayati Raj subjects. The subjects may vary from agriculture, forestry, farm forestry, etc.," he said.
The SSZ has also tied up with the Indian Oil Corporation and Indian Gas Limited to utilise cow dung and other organic waste from villages to manufacture gobar gas or biogas. Village ponds that have dried up or are lying unused will also be given to private players to redevelop, through which they can promote fish farming etc.
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