7 : Ralegan Siddhi Model

The chapter discussed in depth about the Model village of rural

development ‘Ralegan Siddhi’. The detailed study of ‘Ralegan Siddhi’ is
put forth in four different ways. Chapter starts with the discussions on
the data collected mainly through the literature survey but also involves
the missing links through information gathered through interviews and
focused group discussions, second type is analysis of Primary survey
conducted in the village during the research period, third type o f
analysis includes the detail discussions about the identified parameters
for the research and how village is responding to each parameters to see
the hypothesis testing for the village and the fourth type of analysis is
giving the details of observation survey conducted at the village. The
chapter is concluded with the major conclusions.

7.1 Shri. Anna Hazare:

Well known as Shri. Anna (elder Brother) Hazare, the actual name is Shri.
Kisan Baburao Hazare, greatly influenced by the entire life and philosophy of „Swami
Vivekanand‟, has returned to his village Ralegan Siddhi in 1975 after taking voluntary
retirement from the army with a vow to dedicate his entire life to work for the poorest
of the poor in the villages, The twice miraculous escape from death during his army
tenure has left Anna with a thought that this is indication of „GOD‟ for him to devote
all his life for upliftment of the needy people around him. He took a decision not to
get married, so that he can fully devote towards his work.

Anna would visit Ralegan Siddhi (being his ancestral place) many a times
before he took the decision to come back and settled down in the village. It is then
that he had witnessed deep poverty, deprivation and widespread alcoholism in the
village. This situation had moved Anna from inside and he decided to undertake the
work in the village. There was a school building with two rooms and a school teacher,
up-to 4th standard. Anna initially tried to convince villagers for undertaking the work
along with the village Sarpanch. Every villager was of the opinion that providing a

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good school and the teacher was the Government‟s responsibility. After spending
some time in the village, Anna recognized that no one was willing to contribute to the
school building. Anna tried to convince people, but nothing helped.
Photo 7-1: Shri. Anna Hazare Photo 7-2: Old Yadav Baba Temple.

Source: Photo 7-1, http://www.ndtv.com/photos/news/anna-hazare-ends-fast-india-celebrates-10158#photo-

124804, Photo 7-2, Media Centre, Ralegan Siddhi.

Anna then decided to renovate the temple, which was in the state of
dilapidation, due to removal of wooden building components like wooden posts,
beams and ceiling, etc., for the purpose of burning it for wine making. Anna has
invested his entire pension and the gratuity to rebuild the Yadav Baba (living saint of
Ralegan Siddhi) temple; and started working on his own. Villagers watched him do
this. His selfless work inspired the elderly villagers who then came forward to support
Anna and they also gave some donations. Slowly, the entire village came together to
build the temple. Villagers who were poor gave free labour to construct the temple.

Photo 7-3: Renovation of Yadavbaba Temple Photo 7-4: New Yadav Baba Temple

Source: Photo 7-3, Media Centre, Ralegan Siddhi.

This is where the concept of Shramdaan (voluntary labour, donating labour, or free
labour) has come into the picture of the village (A room of the school building was
also said to be constructed through Shramdaan but this time the process continued).

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 This selfless act yielded affection and respect for Anna Hazare. Soon the youth of the
village also supported Anna‟s visualization to reform village and a youth society in
the form of the Tarun Mandal, was soon established. Anna left his ancestors‟ house
and started residing in the Yadav Baba temple. Villagers started gathering in the
temple for the evening informal gathering. Anna used to address them and tell them
about Swami Vivekanand and other moral conducts, he also used to repeatedly tell the
importance of moral conduct and de-addiction for one self. The „Tarun Mandal‟
agreed to help Anna in achieving moral conduct in the village. It was realized that the
liquor trade was the result of lack of source of income; the Tarun Mandal then took
challenge of educating villagers regarding the ill effects of the alcohol and promised
to find other sources of livelihood for them. One evening during the informal
gathering, villagers agreed and accepted that they would not sell or consume alcohol.
Some villagers opposed this move but as the decision is widely supported by other
villagers, finally liquor making was made illegal in the village. The villagers took a
vow in the temple to ban the alcohol production and consumption in the village. This
is how the informal gathering was converted into formal Gram Sabha (village
assembly). Initially, the addicted people were convinced to quit the alcohol
consumption but if they did not stop drinking alcohol, then they were given a public
beating to make them feel ashamed of the conduct. In next three months, all the liquor
units were closed.

Photo 7-6: Gram Sabha in Progress Photo 7-5: Yadav Baba Statue.

Anna tried to achieve behavioural change in the villagers in a participatory

way, which has inculcated a strong value system based on the principles of
contribution, concern and fairness. This is manifested through the Panchasutra
principles (five supreme beings) that include four bans like Nasha-bandi (ban on
addiction), Nas-bandi (sterilisation), Kurhad-bandi (ban on felling trees) & Charai-
bandi (ban on grazing) and fifth one is Shramdaan (free voluntary labour) for

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implementation of all the Government schemes. To implement this Panchasutri (five
principles), Anna encouraged complete participation from the villagers, who had
responded to their ultimate limits.

When Anna started working in the village, he did not have any model to
follow or implement. The entire development was new experimentation done by the
villagers under the strong, honest, strict, leadership and taskmaster attitude of Shri.
Anna Hazare. The collective response from the villagers, local skills, grasping,
understanding about the roots of problems and more importantly openness in
accepting the ideas from all sources has lead to overall transformation of the village.
(Awasthi R., 1994) Since then Anna had began leading renunciation life devoting
himself entirely for the village; he started staying in Yadav Baba temple and ate with
hostel students. He had received approximately 700 awards including national and
international awards including „Padmashree‟ a national award. The procedure
followed by Anna and the villagers for overall transformation is discussed in this
chapter.

7.2 Ralegan Siddhi Model:

Participation in Ralegan Siddhi was started with renovation of Yadav Baba temple
and selfless contribution of Shri. Anna Hazare for the village and villagers response to
his act. In the reprinted article titled “successful case of participatory watershed
management at Ralegan Siddhi Village in district Ahmadnagar, Maharastra, India”
(Mishra, 1997), author has discussed the approaches used by „Shri. Anna Hazare‟ in
order to encourage the community involvement in undertaking the development
initiatives. The approaches given in the article are discussed in detail with some
additions as below:

7.2.1 Persuasion:

Anna initially tried to convince the need of the school building to the
villagers. Villagers were reluctant as they thought it is Government‟s responsibility to
get the work done. So Anna decided to use the religious undercurrent amongst the
villagers and tried to convince the villagers for reconstruction of the Yadav Baba
temple, but as villagers were reluctant to take any initiative, they did not pay much
attention to it.

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7.2.2 Gandhian Approach:

After failed persuasion, Anna decided to work alone which was one of the
principles of Mahatma Gandhi that he used to practise in his lifetime, i.e. self
practising. Anna had also invested his entire pension (provident fund and gratuity.) worth
Rs 20,000/- (received through voluntary retirement from army) for the work (Mehta,
2008). This was remained unnoticed in the initial period, but as the time passed,
villagers watched Anna contributing own money and working alone for
reconstruction, then they too started responding to Anna by collecting an amount of
Rs. 90000/- (Awasthi R., 1994) and contributed in this work. Eventually, young
people have also joined in. Anna then organized „Tarun Mandal‟ (Youth organisation)
and the participation from all section of the society was guaranteed and encouraged
and thus the entire work of Yadav Baba temple was completed.

7.2.3 Creation of a Common Platform:

Thus, Yadav Baba temple became the common meeting place for the
villagers for informal talks. Villagers used to come for evening informal gatherings
and discuss village affairs and common concerns. This was a starting point of
friendship, cooperation and communication within the villagers. The Temple
Sabhagruh (hall) has become the common gathering platform for the villagers.

7.2.4 Moral Cleansing:

During the gatherings, Anna would quotations of great men like Swami
Vivekananad and Vinoba Bhave. All the religious rituals were arranged to persuade
people for moral behaviour. The general attitude of the villagers started changing,
bringing in the equality. Untouchability which was prevalent in the village, had
disappeared in the process of transformation as Anna took efforts to address both the
segments of the society for the eradication of the same from the village. Harijan
(People from lower castes or Dalits) were authorized to enter into the temple and
encouraged to share their views with the villagers.

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7.2.5 Selfless Leadership:

Anna had set an example in front of the villagers by working selflessly for
the village. He contributed Rs. 20,000, his gratuity fund for the building materials
required for the reconstruction of the temple. He started residing in the temple with a
vow to remain single and dissolved all the family ties. Villagers got inspired and
impressed by this sincere effort, sacrifice & selflessness and so have chosen him as
their leader and idol.

7.2.6 Identification of the Serious Common Problem:

The informal discussion sessions held during the evening gatherings soon
identified the basic reasons behind the scenario in the village. Lack of strong
livelihood support was identified as a main reason of breakdown, division and
distressed amongst the villagers. The shortage of water was the main concern for the
agrarian economy of the village. Slowly these evening gatherings were expanded into
village meetings, identified availability of water as one of the first priorities.

7.2.7 Initiating the Process of Change at Individual Level:

Anna‟s leadership and selflessness has set an example for the villagers and
they accepted the voluntary personal code of conduct, which was strictly observed to
bring a change in the moral behaviour of the villagers. Once the villagers agreed to
accept this moral conduct at personal level, it was then further extended to social
morality. In Ralegan Siddhi, the entire change was framed by Hindu religion
guidelines and the temple was the starting point of the entire participatory
development in the village. Villagers have taken an oath in the temple, to accept the
voluntary and the social ban on the drinking & production of alcohol in the village.
All these changes also soon led to the eradication of the untouchability and the caste
discrimination from the village.

7.2.8 Socialization of Costs and Surpluses:

The ban on Alcohol is followed by implementations of many social projects

such as, developing the public utilities, tree planting, deepening of wells, etc. All the
activities along with the resource management were carried out through voluntary
labour (Shramdaan). This has reduced the labour cost and also gave the sense of

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belongingness. All the labour cost saved from the participatory work was set aside as
a village fund to use it in the future works. Villagers were asked to give some part of
their profits; they gained due to the community work to the village fund. Majority of
the Government schemes are implemented at Ralegan Siddhi, and the only financial
support accepted was the money coming through these schemes.

For the upliftment of the deprived section of the society, villagers have
come together to cultivate the land belonging to the Harijan‟s through associative
farming. Tarun Mandal has taken an initiative in paying off all the loans through the
agricultural produce from their land. The concept of „Grain Bank‟ was tried in the
village to make food grains available during slack periods at low cost. The
construction of masonry (pacca houses) for Harijan‟s through community
participation again by offering voluntary labour had reduced the cost of construction
as well as reduced the social gap amongst the villagers.

7.2.9 Democratic Decision making Process:

Every new initiative was put forth in Gram Sabha for the thorough
discussions. All the pros and cons would be discussed and considered prior to finally
taking up the task for implementation. The process of implementation of the schemes,
contribution in terms of involvement, for voluntary labour as well as monetary help
use to finalised during the meeting. Every villager was encouraged to put forth their
views freely in the village meetings.

7.2.10 Social Reform with Strict Discipline:

Once the decision is taken in the village meeting for eradication of any
social evil, it would be implemented in the village with strict discipline. Anyone who
was found drunk in the village was tied up to the temple pillar and be beaten by the
military belt. That person would be kept for in that same position for a day to make
him feel ashamed. As it was a collective decision, no one used to question the
punishment. Similarly, dowry and extravagance were also eradicated from the village.
Even though the punishment seems to be harsh, it worked for the betterment of the
village at Ralegan Siddhi.

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7.2.11 Need-based Planned Socio-Economic Development:

All the decisions were taken in the village meeting and so prioritising of the
work was done as per need and the aspiration of the community. The main concern
was given to the rain water harvesting & management of the watershed projects. This
initiative recharged the ground water chased by the regeneration of plants, grasses;
improvement in locally appropriate farming systems, constant vigilance and
supervising the distributions of water to irrigate crops cautiously. The selection of
cropping pattern was mainly in accordance to the availability of the soil moisture and
the needs of the villagers. Fertilizers were prepared through organic manure by using
human and animal wastes as well as crop deposit. The initiatives like community
latrines, biogas plants for cooking and solar street lights were thought of and
implemented in the village.

7.2.12 Cooperative Management System:

This system started for managing water requirement and distribution for the
irrigation of the farms. To overcome the problem of non availability of loans for the
purpose of irrigation, farmers formed a cooperative society, from where they would
take loan and distributed amongst the members as per land share and also for digging
of wells. Water share was given on the equitable share. Water ration cards are
maintained by farmers.

7.2.13 Special Focus on Women:

The overall improvement in the livelihood had improved the status of

women in the village. First ever Mahila Panchayat (Women‟s assembly) in India was
introduced in Ralegan Siddhi to increase women participation in decision making.
Mahila Mandal (Women‟s groups) and Women‟s Self Help Groups (SHG) were next
steps to deal with women‟s issue. Dairy was run by women‟s of the village. There are
twenty SHGs working in the village right now. The women empowerment is done
through awareness programmes through this SHG‟s formed in the village.

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7.2.14 Facilitating village organizations:

To administer various village interactions, village level organisations were

formed for the easy execution of the activities. These include cooperative societies,
Pat Sanstha, Youth clubs, Mahila Mandal, SHG‟s, Dharmik mandals (Religious
groups). Each of these units are separately registered and fairly independent to take
own decisions.

Sarpanch

Gram Panchayat Societies

Dharmik Shikshan Pani Vividh Pani

Tarun Mahila
Prasarak Purawata Karyakari Purawata
Mandal Mandal Mandal
Mandal Society Society society
(Religion) (Youth) (Women)
(Education) (Water) (General) (Water)

Figure 7-1: Flow Chart of Administration structure in Ralegan Siddhi. Source: Pagare and Pagare (1992)

7.2.15 Encouraging the Second Line Leadership:

Along with the above initiatives taken by Anna and actively followed by the
villagers, Anna also established and encouraged second line of leadership in the
village. He has started awareness, training and motivational programmes for youths
from other villagers and states. Anna insists that as far as possible the leader should
remain bachelor, even if he has softened his stand now. He has also suggested that a
fixed deposit of 40 to 50 thousand rupee should be kept in the account of the person
who is ready to devote his life for this clause, so that he can then fully devote his time
into the village. (Awasthi R., 1994).

7.2.16 Ralegan Siddhi, a model village:

The village is projected as a model village, where many international

delegations, international scholars, international students also visit the village to

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understand the development that have happened in the village. Villagers from all over
India visit Ralegan Siddhi to see the development and to attain the training
programmes. “A visit to Ralegan has become an essential component of the training
programmes of MSW students, agricultural universities, trainee Block Development
Officers, Bank Officers and IAS officers, not only of Maharashtra but also of other
states.” (Awasthi R., 1994)

7.3 Geographical Background of Ralegan Siddhi:

Ralegan Siddhi, one of the pioneering villages, is well-known for its

successful implementation of Watershed programme and management through
Participatory development. Ralegan Siddhi is located in Maharashtra state, 87km from
Pune towards North east, and situated 5km away from Pune-Ahmedabad highway. It
is situated in Parner Taluka of Ahmednagar district, located on latitude 19° 22' N and
longitude 74° 27' E and at an altitude of about 755 m AMSL. (Mishra, 1997).

Map 7-1: Location of Ralegan Siddhi on the map of Maharashtra.

Source: http://www.mapsofindia.com/mapinnews/anna-hazare-indefinite-fast-jan-lokpal-bill/ dated March

2015

This area falls into drought-prone zone of the country. Ralegan Siddhi is
located in the rain shadow zone of the state, with annual rainfall of 400-500mm
(www.annahazare.org, 2008). The village gets rain on approximately 35 days of the
year (Mehta, 2008), with September receives the maximum rainfall. The temperature

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ranges from 120C to 440C. The village is also identified as resource poor area with
northeast and southern sides surrounded by small hills. The land is mainly undulating
and slope varies from 3 to 15%. The higher areas comprise of inferior and unsuitable
soil for cultivation whereas lower areas are comprised of black soil mixed with
pebbles with maximum depth of 45cm. Mostly inadequate and uncertain rainfall leads
to frequent failure of crops in the village. (Rao, October 2013)

Map 7-3: Slope Map of Ralegan Siddhi. Map 7-2: Location of Ralegan Siddhi

Source: Map 7-2, 7-3 & 7-4, village GIS for Bera Gram Panchayat (Bera, Jaswantpura & Surajpura
villages), Bhilwara district, CGARD, National institute of rural development, Hyderabad.

Map 7-4: Land use Land cover Map of Ralegan Siddhi

7.3.1 Ralegan Siddhi before 1975:

The insufficient food production and Unemployment resulted in severe

poverty within the village. Villagers used to walk for 5-6km daily in search of
employment and livelihood. For earning the livelihood, villagers started using 'Shindi'

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grass for brewing liquor by the technique of distilling liquor, which grew in
abundance in the area (Mishra, 1997), the number soon rose to 35. “This ensured a
rise in income levels of the alcohol-producing households but led to the complete
breakdown of the socio-cultural ethos of the village.” (Mehta, 2008). “The poverty
and debts led to desperation and depressions resulting in alcoholism, quarrels and
street fights, women‟s were the worst sufferers through domestic violence.”
(www.annahazare.org, 2008) “The crimes like theft of harvested crops, hooliganism
and eve-teasing were reported at the police station every week.” (Mehta A. K., 2008 )

Ralegan Siddhi witnessed severe poverty, scarcity, a delicate ecology in

addition to neglect and hopelessness in village. Pressure of population growth,
unsystematic used natural resources, almost no efforts at restoration the ecology,
regular drought, increased soil depletion and uncontrolled water runoffs resulted in
low productivity leading to low income. The baseline situation (prior to 1975) of both
natural resources and the social fabric was rather depressing. Groundwater table was
below 20 m; with only 20 ha of land were under irrigation. In the village around 70%
of the households were living below poverty line (Selvarajan, 2001)

In addition to the above situations, land ownership pattern for agricultural land
was very small, where around “80% of households owned only two to five acres of
land; whereas only 5 - 10% owned the land of approximately 30 acres each. The yield
per acre was three to five quintals, and the village was able to meet only 30% of its
food requirements”. (Mehta, 2008). Low production of green fodder had resulted in
the reduction in total livestock. Research publications show that nearly 15-20%
population was underfed and barely managed on a day meal for average family size of
8-9 members. Villagers borrowed grains and money from private money lenders to
feed the families leading to indebtedness, which led to exploitation. There was a
situation when only three or four moneylenders acquired almost all the land of the
village. To repay the loans and earn livelihood villagers started working at quarries
just outside the village or work under EGS (Employment Guarantee Schemes).
(Hazare, 1997) Most of the villagers had migrated to cities like Pune, Mumbai or
Ahmednagar to work as a casual worker or as daily wages labourer. Most of the
people migrated were Harijans (Schedule Caste) (Pangara, 1992). However the money
earned was not enough as the work was not available throughout the year.

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 Caste discrimination and untouchability was practised in Ralegan Siddhi due
to which 16 „Dalit‟ households were living isolated in the outskirts of the village.
Their entry to fetch water from the common well was restricted and only upper caste
persons were allowed to draw water and pour into their vessel. They use to sit
separately and served last to have food during the community events.

Education was neglected in this area with only 10% children‟s attending the
Zilla Parishad School which was up to 4th standard (Pangara, 1992). Scarcity of water
was the key reason of the overall scenario, which restricted the agriculture
productivity of the village. The water table was below 20m, with dry wells during
summers and the drinking water had to be obtained from the surrounding villages.
Due to undulations and higher slopes the surface run off of the rainwater use to drain
of the fertile topsoil layer. Only 20ha land was under irrigation, and agriculture
produce was least, failing to support and sustain the livelihood of the people. (Mishra,
1997)

“Diseases related to poor sanitary conditions and unclean water was common.
The infant mortality rate was very high and so were occurrences of gastrointestinal
diseases, guinea worm and malaria” (FRCH and CMDR, 2002).

In 1972, Ralegan Siddhi along with the surrounding villages suffered from
worst drought. Dorabji Tata Trust with the support from Catholic Relief society
(CRS) under the foods for work programme worked for provision of drinking water;
food grain; medical relief; cattle feed; deeper wells and check dams. To provide short
term employment, Government had funded a „percolation tank‟ project, but there was
lack of accountability and due to a technical fault i.e. the tank was built of pervious
base, so failed to retain water even though it had given employment to villagers for
1.5 year. (FRCH and CMDR, 2002). All these efforts were short term measures,
whereas, long term measures for poverty reduction and resource management were
missing.

7.4 Development Initiatives:

In 1975, when Anna permanently came back to settle in the village, he took different
initiatives to improve social and economic condition of the village. All his initiatives
were experiment based and well supported by villagers of Ralegan Siddhi. Again

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from the profit generated through the work done by community participation, the
villagers were asked to contribute 25% of the money into village fund, so as to utilize
it for future community projects.

The initiatives which were started with providing voluntary labour for the
construction of Yadav Baba temple, were further taken ahead through initiatives like
eradication of caste discrimination, tree plantations, family planning, water
harvesting, agriculture development, irrigation by sprinklers and drip bivalve, Solar
lights, solar cooker, sewage treatment plant to reuse gray water for plantations.
community marriages, cooperative well irrigation, construction of buildings, Grain
bank, improved horticulture, community Gobar gas (biogas), ban on felling trees or
open grazing, etc. Most of the initiatives were already discussed earlier in the chapter;
remaining initiatives are briefed in later sections.

7.4.1 Decentralized Practices in Ralegan Siddhi:

Community participation at all levels, right from voluntary labour, social

development and resource management to the decision making in the development
process is acknowledged as prime factor of Ralegan Siddhi Model. The participation
was ensured through the establishments of committees and cooperative societies. In
Ralegan Siddhi, all villagers take part in Gram Sabhas. Gram Panchayat once
identifies the schemes and these schemes are then discussed in Gram Sabha, if
accepted in these meetings, the proposal was proceeded further for taking approvals
for the implementation of Government schemes at the village.

The process of implementation was discussed in the Gram Sabha, where the
responsibilities and the type of contribution was discussed and finalized. The decision
about new committee or society, development or planning is taken through consensus.
There are almost 14 committees including cooperative society‟s, working for various
works within the village like irrigation, water, rations, youth, education, women, and
religion of the village.

A system of Nyay Panchayat (informal courts) was set up to address the

village level disputes, since then, no case has ever been referred to the police until the
last three years.

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 7.4.1.1 Watershed and Community Participation:

To find new sources of employment, Anna started searching for various state
and central Government schemes for rural poor. Many villagers were ready to work
under these projects, but these were short term projects and the need was to identify
and apply some long term solution. Many villagers were encouraged to join army, but
it wasn‟t a real solution.

Map 7-5: Ground Water Potential Map Map 7-6: Natural Drainage trenches.

Source: village GIS for Bera Gram Panchayat (Bera, Jaswantpura & Surajpura villages), Bhilwara district,
CGARD, National institute of rural development, Hyderabad.

Map 7-7: Watershed Map of Ralegan Siddhi.

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 Water conservation was the key aim behind water harvesting to be used in the
irrigation. For this, “Anna followed Vilasrao Salunke‟s Pani Panchayat model of Pani
Adawa, Pani Jirawa i.e. trapping the rainwater wherever it falls” (Rai, Febriuary
2001). This effort has increased the agricultural yield per hectare and two crops
instead of one, through water management. The water was harvested through Nala
Bunds, contour bunds, land shaping, checking the soil runoff and assisting water
percolation. Anna had suggested providing voluntary labour to reduce the
construction cost and this was willingly accepted by the villagers.

Photo 7-7: Participation for Nala Bunding Photo 7-8: Participation for watershed

Source: Media center, Ralegan Siddhi.

The village was divided into four watershed zones, under Comprehensive Wasteland
Development Programme (COWDEP) project of state Government, 31 Nalla bunds
were constructed (for area of 605 ha) for the storage of 282182m3. Most of these
Government schemes failed due to corruption and lack of monitoring or
accountability, but the same succeeded in Ralegan Siddhi under Anna‟s leadership
and villagers‟ commitment. The renovation of percolation tank was also taken up as a

task 7-9:
Photo andPadmawati
completed by the
Well villagers. Photo 7-10: Water Storage Tank

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 With the help of zilla parishad and free labour, Anna managed to develop
sense of participation and the ownership amongst the villagers. “Every individual,
except the very poor and the very old, has to contribute one day of Shramdaan
(voluntary labour) every 15 days.” (Mehta, 2008). For any new project the amount of
labour required, use to define the amount of Shramdaan required for the project. Tree
plantation programme was implemented around the tank to enhance the percolation
process. This has raised a water table.

Photo 7-11: Gully Plug Photo 7-12: Percolation Tank

Figure 7-2: Details of Gully Plug

Source: http://www.hydratelife.org/?p=1765

Constructions of wells were next step forward, but to face the financial
constraints, people dig community wells through the concept of corporative societies;
again through the principle of voluntary labour. Seven community wells were
constructed on a cooperative basis, which provided regular water supply for irrigation.
The irrigated land then increased from 630 Ha to 956 Ha. “After the well was dug,

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two crops were possible, with fivefold increase in the yield. The largest well
constructed so far is 70feet deep, and irrigates 125 acres belonging to 26 farmers.
Wasteland decreased from 241 Ha to 122 Ha” (FRCH and CMDR, 2002)

Table 7-1: Distribution of beneficiaries of watershed development schemes by 2001.

(FRCH and CMDR, 2002).

Sources of irrigation No. of households % of households

Well irrigation 91 47.64
Canal 18 9.42
Well + canal 26 13.61
Watershed 21 10.99
Watershed + well Irrigation 12 6.28
Watershed + canal + well irrigation 4 2.09
Well Irrigation + bore well 8 4.18
Well Irrigation + bore well + watershed 4 2.09
Canal + well irrigation+ bore well 4 2.09
Canal + bore well 2 1.04
Watershed + bore well 1 0.52
Total beneficiaries 191 (out of 375 households)

“Even though many argue that there is cooperation from Government agencies
which leads to a total investment of about Rs 114 lakh in a village. The average
investment works out at Rs. 4449 per hectare, of which 12.36% is Shramdaan. This
cost is very less than Government‟s watershed programme which would require
Rs10,000 per hectare.” (Kadekodi, 1992)

Now village gets water from seven hand-pumps, twelve bunds, one common
well, four community wells, 81 wells and one percolation tank. Water recharge is
usually done by recirculation of water in summer seasons from Padmawati well, by
pumping the water into bunds, thereby water percolates in the wells solving the
problem of drinking water as well as availability of enough water for irrigation of
second crop. Kukadi canal lift irrigation is another water supply for the village.

7.4.1.2 Kukadi Canal lift irrigation system:

Kukadi canal (built on the tributary of Krishna river) irrigation system is also
one of the success stories of the village after 99 failure attempts. The watershed
project has given access to the water for most of the farmers, but most of the land was

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still not under the irrigation due to shortage of water. So it was decided to lift the
additional supply from Kukadi canal which is looked after by a cooperative society
named as Krishna Pani Purawatha society. Near about, 103 villagers participated in
this scheme, who owned a combined land of 525 acres. These villagers collectively
mortgage the land to raise the loan amount of Rs. 18,25,000/- needed for the entire
implementation of the scheme, again the voluntary labour worth Rs. 3,00,000/- was
provided by the villagers (FRCH and CMDR, 2002). Farmers with larger
landholdings were asked to hold a larger share of the loan of the irrigation scheme.

The cost of electricity and water charges were divided amongst the members
considering the cropping patterns. This system provides 40% of the village‟s
requirement. The leadership, administrative system and transparency in the
application are few reasons which have contributed in the success of this lift
irrigation. (Omvedt, 2000)

With the availability of the regular water supply, the income of the villagers
raised by 3 to 4 times (Rs. 25,000) per acre. This has ensured two guaranteed crops
instead of one, even after the existence of two major issues like load shedding and non
availability of storage space so as to store the produced crops in order to sell it at
higher rates during slack period.

7.4.1.3 Working of Cooperative Society:

The information about different cooperative societies is gathered from the

focused group of the village that comprises of Mr. Dagadu Mapari, Gajare mama, Mr.
T. L. Raut Sir and Sarpanch Mr. Jaysingh Mapari. The decision about cooperative
societies is generally taken by Gram Sabha. One member from each household is a
member of the committee.
Photo 7-14: Krishna Water Supply Cooperative Photo 7-13: Shri Yadavbaba Shikkshan Prasarak
Society Mandal

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 All the societies are registered with their own set of rules and functioning, but
are answerable to the Gram Sabha. Once the decision is taken the account will be
opened in the Bank of Maharashtra for the further transactions. Gram Sabha with
Anna‟s advice appoints the chairman, who along with other appointed (unanimously)
members of the society look after the entire work of the society.

Krishna Pani Purvatha Society, which is one of the first cooperative societies,
in the village has 260 members (current status), with 11 directors chosen from the
members to make a committee. This committee changes every 3 years. The committee
meeting is scheduled once in a month and all members meet 3-4 times a year even if
the legal requirement is only once a year.

The members are issued a ration card for water, where every farmer states
their demand for amount of water required in advance otherwise the rates are doubled
as a penalty and electricity bills are based on the cropping pattern. Fine is charged for
wastage of water. No cash transactions are entertained and all the payments are made
through bank transactions. Along with this, members are asked to plant minimum
five mango trees and will be doubled in case of failure. It is mandatory to nurture
them and look after them so that they must survive.
Photo 7-16: Adarsha Gramin Bigarsheti Patsantha Photo 7-15: Sant Yadavbaba Dhudh Utpadan
Maryadit. Sahakari Sanstha

There are several cooperative societies like Krishna Pani Puravatha Sahakari Sanstha
Maryadit, Padmawati Drinking Water Supply, Sant Yadav Baba Panlot Punarbharan
Sahakari Sanstha, Sant Tukaram, Sant Gyaneshwar, Gautam, Adarsh Gramin
Bigarsheti Sahakari Patsanstha, Shri. Yadav Baba Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, Shri
Sant YadavBaba Dudh Utpadak Sahakari Sanstha, etc. and 20 Bachat Gats.

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 New Government
Anna Hazare Schemes
Sarpanch
Panchayat
Gram Sevak and Samiti
Govt Officials

Presentation & Suggestions

Self Finance
Budgetary
Answers Decisions
Free Labour

Type of Contribution
Queries
Paid Labour

Govt. Funding

Labour Charges

Responsibilities

Gram Sabha

Formation of Committee or Cooperative Society

Figure 7-3: Chart Showing Formation of Committee or Cooperative Society

7.4.1.4 Equitable access to water:

As Anna Always says, Water is a national wealth and everyone has an equal
right on it, is seen in Ralegan Siddhi. There are six water cooperative societies, which
caters to 777 Ha of land in the village. All the decisions such as, the area to be
irrigated, cropping pattern, and quantity of crops are taken collectively. For the
equitable distribution of the water, a „ration card‟ system is adopted, where ration
cards are given to all the members of the society, who keep check on the amount of
water given to the individual. Even the landless labours, who have provided voluntary
labour are allotted their equitable share in water, so the landlords owning more land
than their water share would give land to landless villagers for cultivation reducing
overall poverty of the village.

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7.4.1.5 Compensations:

The villagers who lost their land in various development works of the village
and also provided voluntary labour, has not given any compensation for their
sacrifice. Gram sabha then took a decision to give the share of grains from the higher
productivity of downstream farmers. But later the farmers who had lost their soil also
get benefitted from silting on their lands, as it is good for rabi crops. Water share to
the landless labourers also created wealth for them to feel their families.

7.4.2 Environment of Ralegan Siddhi:

There are many efforts being taken by Anna along with villagers of Ralegan
Siddhi for improving the environmental conditions of the village. Villagers have
planted as many as 4 lakh trees and nurtured them with the survival rate of almost
90%. Most of the samplings were received for free, along with the labour cost paid
under social forestry programme of the forest department. (Chopra, 1996.).

Photo 7-18: Tree Plantation done by Villagers and Photo 7-17: Water Retained at Nala Bunding
School Children

Photo 7-19: Percolation tank and Tree plantation Photo 7-20: Drip Irrigation for watering the
plantation

Ban on grazing, Ban on felling trees, ban on water incentive crops (can be
cultivated through drip and sprinkler irrigation but only on small strips of land) has
increased the survival rate of the plants planted under tree plantation and availability
of green fodder has also increased. Increase in availability of green fodder has

308
resulted in the increase in the productivity of milk from 2 l to 8 l per day contributing
in the increase of income level.

7.4.2.1 Water and Soil conservation

Water and soil conservation is also undertaken through the works like contour
bund, gully plugging, Nalla bund, erecting check dams, land levelling, underground
K. T. Bandhara cum gabion structures percolation tanks and deforestation. In addition
to the above work, improved agriculture practices, horticulture development, and drip
irrigation were undertaken to increase secondary source of income. chillies, lemons
and Papaya were produced on 80 acres, entirely irrigated through the drip system.

Photo 7-22: Retained water Photo 7-21: Soil Conservation Measures

The overall work done for Ralegan Siddhi is a collaborative effort of villagers
and the Government through the schemes like - Jalsandharan Department and Rural
Development Department of Government of Maharashtra and (Mehta, 2008).

Map 7-8: Soil Map of Ralegan Siddhi

Source: village GIS for Bera Gram Panchayat (Bera, Jaswantpura & Surajpura villages), Bhilwara district,
CGARD, National institute of rural development, Hyderabad.

The ground water recharge during rainy season has improved from 20m to 6.5m when
measured in the year 2000.

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7.4.2.2 Biogas Plants:

There were seven community biogas plants built to run on human sewage and
the gas pipe line was constructed to connect it to 32 families in 1980. This system
never became functional due to the doubts raised about the quality of gas to prepare
food, and the entire system failed and not used at all.

Photo 7-24: Community Toilets and Community Photo 7-23: Old individual Gobar Gas Plant allotted
Gobar (Bio) Gas Plant under Govt. Scheme

Photo 7-25: New Gobar Gas Plant Photo 7-26: One of the Old Gobar Gas plant with steel
replacing old steel tank with RCC tank tank which is rusted now.

Source: Photo No 7-26, Media Centre, Ralegan Siddhi.

There were 28 individual biogas plants (for individual households) constructed

through Government schemes and were used in the beginning, but since the metal
dome got eroded due to humidity, therefore now, it is not in use. As per the contractor
who constructs these biogas plants, only 7 old and 4 new biogas plants are in use in
the entire village.

7.4.2.3 Smokeless Chullhas:

The traditional chullhas were replaced by smokeless chullhas, which also

reduced the consumption of the firewood. Initially 163 families opted such chullhas,
but now almost all the household owns such chullhas. It is estimated that 130 chullhas

310
save about 67 tons of firewood in a year. Apart from this advantage these chullhas, it
also reduces the respiratory diseases among the women that were otherwise caused
due to traditional smoky chullhas. (FRCH and CMDR, 2002)
Photo 7-28: Smokeless Chullah Photo 7-27: Traditional Chullah

Source: Photo 7-27, & Photo 7-28,

7.4.2.4 Solar Energy:

There are five solar water heaters installed within the village. Currently, two
of them are in working condition - one at Primary health care sub centre and the other
one at the hostel building. There are solar lights in the village, but were not
maintained over the period and are not working now. Solar cooker installed at the
hostel building is still used for cooking food for the students.

Photo 7-29: Primary Health Care Sub-Centre

7.4.2.5 Reuse of waste water:

Most of the waste water is used for watering the plants. The gray water
coming out from the hostel and school buildings are treated and used for watering the
plants planted in the school campus. But this experiment is not repeated anywhere in
the village.

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Photo 7-31: Used water taken to farms Photo 7-30: Used water used for watering the plants

7.4.3 Infrastructure of Ralegan Siddhi:

7.4.3.1 Piped Water supply:

The piped water supply was built in 1999 through „SwaJalDhara‟ „Bharat
Nirman Nal Pani Puravatha‟ and „Laghu Nal Pani Puravatha‟ of state and central
Government with the help of voluntary labour.

Photo 7-32: Piped water supply to store water Photo 7-33: Piped water supply to store in tank

“In addition to the funds allocated, each family has asked to deposit (by cheque) its
share of the budgeted cost of the pipeline in the bank, where a separate account for
piped water plan has been opened”. (Mehta, 2008) Families without man power were
asked to deposit Rs. 100 per day during the construction.

To avoid the waste water flowing onto the road due to the availability of water
at door step, every villager is asked to dig a soak pit. If the waste water flows on to

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the road, the water supply is cut and a fine of Rs. 150 is charged towards reconnection
of water supply. (Mehta, 2008)

7.4.3.2 Community Toilets and Sanitation:

To free the village surroundings from open defecation, community toilets were
built, and individuals were motivated to use these toilets. All the toilets were
connected to private privy or septic tanks for disposal of waste. Gray water is
connected to soak pits. Waste water coming from kitchen is also connected to soak
pits. Few farmers have laid a pipe line to carry the used water to fields for watering
the plants.
Photo 7-34: Community Toilets

Photo 7-35: Private privy for toilet waste disposal Photo 7-36: Septic Tank

In the primary survey conducted, it is evident that 20% villagers still go to

open fields for defecation while 16% villagers use community toilets, rest of the
villagers have their own independent toilets.

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7.4.3.3 Health:

Village has a sub center of PHC (Primary Health Centre), a private dispensary
(One allopathic doctor comes on every Thursday and provides free medicines along
with check up for the villagers) and two private hospitals run by Dr. Khose and Dr.
Gadge. Village also has a separate medical store. The availability of this infrastructure
has resulted in better health conditions with no major diseases occurring in the village.
“Infant (IMR) and maternal (MMR) mortality rates have declined significantly
compared with the pre-reform period, the IMR in 2007 was 27.42,” (Mehta, 2008)
“much below the national average of 55 (61 in rural)” (National Health Profile, 2009).
There have been no cases of MMR.

Photo 7-37: Private Hospital

In the primary survey conducted in the village, majority of the villagers have
said that they are not going through any illnesses but 13% villagers (who were
primarily elders) have answered that they are suffering from knee injury, asthma or
Gap in spinal cord.

7.4.3.4 Education:

Photo 7-38: Open Space in front of Yadav Baba Photo 7-39: Primary School
Temple and Primary School

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Anna has established an education committee, recruited teachers from other villages
and started a school up to 10th standard. The committee was later registered as
cooperative society with the name as Shri. Yadav Baba Shikshan Prasarak Mandal.
The school is renamed as Sant Nilobaray Vidyalay, which was built in 1995 again Rs.
25 lakh worth voluntary labour was provided by the villagers for building the school.
Five land owners donated their 10 acre of land for the school (Anna Hazare, 2003).

Photo 7-40: High School Photo 7-41: High School

Source: Photo 7-40, Fotosearch website, Photo: 7-41, Media centre, Ralegan Siddhi.

This school is aimed at academic education along with character building, sports
activities and through religious teachings, the priority was given to failed students or
having anti social behaviour. A hostel for poor students was constructed through
voluntary labour and donations of the villagers.

Students are made to participate in the watershed programmes, tree plantations

and village cleanliness. Children play important role in keeping village clean, by
keeping school premise clean daily, but weekly they clean the community toilets of
the village. The purpose is to encourage civic sense and responsibility to keep the
community clean. Currently school also accommodates 11th and 12th standard. The
passed out students are getting good placements.

Anna has recently started Vivekanand Gurukul, which is a residential school

till 10th and will run on the concept of traditional gurukul‟s, where current academic
syllabus would also be taught. The students will be taught the skill required for small
scale industries along with the moral values and conducts.

7.4.3.5 Availability of Banks:

The various works undertaken in the village need more finance for initial
investments. For this, Anna along with the villagers felt the need of the branch of a

315
bank within the village. The branch of Bank of Maharashtra and Ahmednagar
Sahakari Bank were opened in the village in 1982. These branches used to provide
finance for farming and other purposes. Most of the loans are distributed through
cooperative societies and SHG‟s.

In 1998, Adarsh Gramin Bigar Sheti Shahakari Patsanstha Maryadit, a

cooperative (credit) society was set up to cater the non-agricultural needs of the
people of Ralegan Siddhi and neighbouring villages. The loans were given to the
villagers for purchasing of crops, cattle, vehicles, for health exigencies and for house
construction and repairs.

7.4.3.6 Grain Bank:

This concept of Grain Bank was introduced in 1980. This was to provide food
security to the needy farmers during drought or crop failure. The rich farmers use to
donate quintal of produced to the grain bank, needy farmers used to borrow the grain.
In return the borrower had to give same quantity of grain, with addition of a quintal of
extra. During 1985-86, 40 quintal grain was collected. This grain bank was in
existence for several years, but then as the village prospered, the need of Grain Bank
vanished and so it was discontinued.

7.4.4 Social Development of Ralegan Siddhi:

7.4.4.1 Community marriages or group marriages (Samuhik Vivah):

The marriage expense was the main reason for the poverty, especially marriage of the
girl child. Giving dowry in the marriage was very common, similar to other parts of
the country.

Photo 7-42: Group or Community Marriage Photo 7-43: Group or Community Marriage

Source: Media Centre, Ralegan Siddhi.

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Villagers use to sell the animals, wells, buildings to raise the money; many of them
use to take loans from banks or private money lenders. Failing to repay the loans
resulted in the lost of land or well, etc. This resulted to a lot of financial stress and
indebtedness among the villagers. Anna then suggested the concept of community or
group marriage in 1978-79. Marriages of couples from different castes used to happen
at the common place. These events were mainly organised by Tarun Mandals. (Anna
Hazare, 2003). During 1978-86, 424 marriages were conducted (FRCH and CMDR,
2002). This brought in the social integration, reducing the caste discrimination and the
dowry practices were also controlled in the village.

7.4.4.2 Social Inclusion:

Untouchability was practiced in the village, when Harijan‟s were living at the
outskirts of the village. Anna, who had a great influence of military life had convinced
villagers for eradicating the evil of caste discrimination from the village, similarly he
boost the confidence in Harijan‟s and encourage them to lead hygienic life. Anna
always emphasis that the poor and the oppressed should be given first priority for
getting benefits. The land of five acres were given to them, next to Yadav baba
temple, villagers together constructed nine houses for them. The houses were
equipped with electricity and smokeless chulhas. They were in the first few
beneficiaries, who were given loans and subsidies for buying machines, irrigation
pumps and construction of community toilets and bathrooms, Gobar gas plants, and
lift irrigation schemes. In 1982, they were given the right to participate in the bullock
festival, which is one of the prestigious event/ celebrations of the village. (FRCH and
CMDR, 2002)
Photo 7-44: Community Farming to repay the loan Photo 7-45: IAY house constructed with Community
taken by Harijans Participation

Source: Photo 7-44, Media Centre, Ralegan Siddhi.

Once, when Harijan‟s received notice from bank for non payment of the loan
taken for community well in 1972, Tarun Mandal took the responsibility to repay the

317
loans. Tarun Mandal took their land on the lease of ten years and all the villagers
helped them in farming, introducing the concept of associative farming. Villagers
donated seeds, fertilisers and labour, Anna has taken loan of Rs. 10000 from the NGO
to reply the default bills and the loan was replied in three years. During this period,
Dalit / Harijan owners received 25% of the production and after completing of the
lease, the land was returned to the owners.

Most of these Harijan families were living in below poverty line conditions; Anna
ensured that all the anti-poverty alleviation schemes of Government should be
implemented in the village. The schemes like Integrated Rural Development
programme (IRDP) for providing milk animals and repairing of wells, NREP grants
for construction of community centre, JRY (employment) scheme for providing five
shops for shoe making, vegetables, tea, stationery and welding (construction worth
Rs. 50,000.) were specially implemented for the upliftment of Harijans of the village.
(Mehta A. K., 2008)

7.4.4.3 Women in Ralegan:

The women at Ralegan Siddhi, like other parts of country were expected to
perform domestic chores with no decision making powers at house or at village level.
To change this scenario, many proactive measures were taken in the village. The first
women Gram Panchayat was established in Ralegan Siddhi to encourage women to
take part in the decision making process of the village. The training was given to the
women members.

Photo 7-46: SHG meeting Photo 7-47: SHG Meeting Hall / Office

Source: Photo 7-46, Media Centre, Ralegan Siddhi.

Women actively participated in the voluntary labour and formation of SHGs with the
help of FRCH and MASUM NGOs. There are 20 SHG‟s in operation with 90% of

318
women of Ralegan Siddhi as members of the SHG‟s. Each group is of 20 members.
Each member maintains a passbook to help them track their savings, from which loan
is given to needy members. The loan amount is generally used for purchasing
agricultural products, purchasing cattle, or for starting the businesses like bangles
store, grocery store, sewing machine, House construction, buy Vegetable stall etc. The
total capital of these SHG‟s in August 2012 was reached to 59, 25,500/-.

In the monthly meeting, the awareness sessions like health awareness,

Capacity building, Bank proceedings, child marriage, importance of attending Gram
Sabhas and various training activities are carried out. The domestic violence has
reduced considerably in the village. According to Dilip Gavhane, who looks after
SHG‟s working for MASUM, in response to the Government GR (Government
resolution) of 2003, even the house name plates also include the name of female in
Ralegan Siddhi. There are 4 men‟s SHG‟s in the village. There are few examples in
the village that villagers have given rights in family wealth or property instead of
dowry.

7.4.5 Economy of Ralegan Siddhi:

The community participation has resulted in the improvement in the economic

conditions of the villagers. Villagers who worked together for the upliftment of the
village had helped each other in eradicating the poverty from the village.

Photo 7-48: Water Storage Tank and Drip Irrigation

Map 7-9: Availability of Water

Source: For Map 7-9, village GIS for Bera Gram Panchayat (Bera, Jaswantpura & Surajpura villages),
Bhilwara district, CGARD, National institute of rural development, Hyderabad.

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 7.4.5.1 Alternative source of Income:

Photo 7-50: Allied Income through Poultry Farming Photo 7-49: Allied Income through Dairy Farming

Source: Media Centre, Ralegan Siddhi.

The need of the alternative source of income was felt and addressed in the village in
terms of encouraging allied industries. Dairy Farming was seen as one of the best
allied industries as a secondary income in the village. The ban on grazing increased
the availability of green fodder and boosted the Dairy farming in the village. Also
cow dung is used in biogas plants for the production of cooking gas.

Photo 7-52: Modern Techniques for Dairy Farming Photo 7-51: Dairy Farming

Source: Media Centre, Ralegan Siddhi.

A milk cooperative society, Shri Sant Yadavbaba Dudh Utpadak Sahakari Sanstha
was set up in the village in 1981, which has 225 members and is headed by nine
member committee. The construction of veterinary clinic and presence of a veterinary
doctor in the village has resulted in improvements to cattle stock in the village. The
village currently owns more than 1000 milk animals, 155 bullock pairs and 366 sheep
and goats (FRCH and CMDR, 2002).

Photo 7-53: Dairy Farming Photo 7-54: Dairy Farming

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 Milk production has increased by four times the amount villagers previously
were able to get. (Bluenow, 2013). Now, Society has its own testing machine and
weighing machine, chilling plant and packaging machine. All records are
computerised. The society has assured the livelihood for 225 families of the village.
(Mehta, 2008)There are four poultry farms in the village in which one of the owners is
doing good work making good amount of money from the business.

7.4.5.2 Funding and Investments:

Anna has always discouraged villagers from taking donations for NGO‟s and
INGO‟s, as he thought it encourage dependence and destroy the working and thinking
capacity of individual. There are many NGO‟s who contributed towards development
of Ralegan Siddhi, and NGO‟s like Tata Dorabji Trust and CRS were undertook
drought relief work worth Rs. 3,00,000 and Rs. 5,00,000 respectively before and
during 1972. But after Anna‟s initiative, most of the loans are repaid and then the
money is either acquired from loans or Government schemes of either state or Central
Government.

Table 7-2: The briefs of the schemes undertaken in Ralegan Siddhi are given below:
Source: FRCH and CMDR (2002); Pangare and Pangare (1992) & Gram Panchayat

Source Activities Amount Years

invested of
(Rs. lakh) investment
Government of Under IRDP, NREP, Soil Conservation, 47.36 1975-1987
Maharashtra Social Forestry, Water Supply Scheme, High
School Building, Scheduled Caste Housing,
Hostel Building, Training Centre, Collective
Well, Library, PHC, Well Repair, Cattle
Supply, Electric Motor, Pipeline, Tube Wells,
Poultry Scheme, Agricultural Equipment,
Construction Of Percolation Tank, Nalla
Bunding, Land Development, Etc. 47.36
Grants of Urja Solar and Biogas Systems 6.99 1988-1989
Gram
Grants from Drip Irrigation, Special Caste Programme, 7.824 1980-1997
Agricultural Equipment Distribution, Agricultural

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department Equipment And Distribution Of Insecticides
Bank of Tractor, Gobar Gas, Electric Motor, Pipeline, 40.80 & 1980-1986
Maharashtra & Poultry Development, Dairy Development, 1.70 & 1980-
Ahmadnagar Carts, Lift Irrigation Scheme, Goats, Cattle 1986
Sahakari Bank And Bullocks, Crop Loans, Collective Well,
Etc.
Voluntary Cattle food, Nalla bunding, well repairs, 10.07 1975-1976
organisations Gobar gas plants, windmill, nursery, bore well & 85-86
and many others
Villagers‟ Renovation Of The High School, PHC For 13.42 1976-1986
Shramdaan Animals, Hostel Construction, Utensils, Etc.,
(including Krishna Water Supply, Collective Well, Dalit
expenditure Basti Development, Nursery Building and
borne by Many More
villagers)
Anna Hazare‟s High School Construction, Temple 0.87 1971-1986
contribution Construction, Land For Hostel, Village
Development, etc.
IAY House Construction -- 2001-02,
06-07, 07-
08, 09-10
Sthanik Niwas Samajik Sabhagruh (Social Community Hall) 18.90 & 2002-03,
Nidhi & Padmavati Temple Sabha Mandap 4.00 08-09 & 08-
09
World Bank Kindergarten (Aanganwadi) -- 2002-03
Jawahar Rojgar Water Tank -- 2002-03
Yojna
Mulbhut Shopping Centre -- 2003-04
Suvidha (Basic
facilities)
Samagra Gram Toilets & Animal Hospital -- 2003-04,
Rojgar Yojna 04-05, &
04-05,
Swajal Dhara Tap water supply scheme -- 2004-05
Samagra Gram House construction -- 2004-05
Rojgar Yojna

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shrot
Jilha Gram Gram Panchayat Office -- 2005-06
Vikas Nidhi
12 va vitta Tap water supply repair, Internal roads, -- 2006-07,
aayog community cleanliness and maintenance, 07-08, 08-
Office maintenance 09
Bharat Nirman Tap water supply scheme -- 2007-08
Yojna
Yashwant Padmavati temple – Internal roads and fixing 10.00 2008-09
Gram of paver blocks
samruddhi
yojna
Tirtha Kshetra Compound wall for padmavati temple & 14.00 & 2008-09 &
vikas Bhakt Niwas & Construction of Prasadalaya 50.00 & 09-10 & 10-
building 22.80 11
Urvarit Toilets at Padmavati Temple 4.00 2010
Vaidhanik
Vikas
mahamandal

The Government schemes which failed elsewhere in India or Maharashtra were

successfully implemented and utilised to its fullest capacity in Ralegan Siddhi, even if
no extra allocations are done at any point of time. (Narain, 2003) Villagers have
shared a development cost by providing voluntary labour while implementing the
scheme. It is through Shramdaan, villagers could create the asset worth Rs. 1 Crore.

7.4.5.3 Income and Productivity:

The effort for poverty alleviation, which was started in 1975, was fully
achieved in 1990, when not a single family of Ralegan Siddhi was depended on
drought relief programme. The per capita income of the village rose from 271 in 1975
to 2,275 in 1985 which has increased to five digits in 2015. One of the villagers,
Bitthal Baba Pathare in his interview, said "While my father used to earn Rs 25,000
from agriculture, I am earning Rs 75,000 from the same field” (WEbnet, 2000) as the
productivity increased by 3 quintals, from the same piece of land. (Kadekodi, 1992)
Now, more than 25% of the villagers earn more than 500,000 rupees a year, or over
$11,000 (Centre for Science and Environment). The cropping intensity is now 180 -

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190% higher than 25 years ago. In one year, the land is in use for 10 months. In
addition to above figures, 60% of the households have motorcycles, there are 67 jeeps
and 12 auto-rickshaws in the village shows the raised income level of the villagers
(WEbnet, 2000). “Ralegan residents reportedly have private savings of Rs. 30 million,
or about $700,000”. (Narain, 2003)

“As per Department of Agriculture, the average yield per hectare of the
cropped area in Ralegan Siddhi has increased almost 19 times, with a parallel increase
in the per capita earnings of the village by nearly 15 times.” (Mehta A. K., 2008).
Table below shows improved conditions after implementation of watershed
programme in Ralegan Siddhi.

Table 7-3: Impact of integrated WDP: key indicators. Source: Government of Maharashtra.

Before
Item WDP After WDP Increase
Agriculture
Cropped area (double cropping) (ha) 630 956 51.75%
Cropping intensity (%) 98 164 -
Oilseed area (ha) 20 134 6 times
Pulses area (ha) 27 96 35 times
Intercropping area (ha) - 65 > 100%
Use of improved seed (ha) 50 860 17 times
Seed treatment (ha) 40 410 10 times
Area of insect and pest control (ha) 45 300.58 6.68 times
Use of chemical fertiliser (tonne) 8 83 10 times
Irrigation – area (ha)
Well irrigation 56.43 447.34 8 times
Canal irrigation - 17.4 17 times
Total irrigation 56.43 464.74 8 times
103 (81 as per
No. of wells 34 village records) 3 times
5 (4 community
No. of community wells - and 1 public well) > 100%
Biogas (no.) - 39 (4 working) > 100%
Two bowl seed drill (no.) - 48 > 100%
Sprayers (no.) - 10 > 100%
Threshers (no.) - 5 > 100%
Electric pump (no.) 15 103 7 times

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 Oil engine 19 4 -
Shetkari Magazine subscriber (no.) 10 247 25 times
Average yield of village (as per cropped
area) (lakh) 6.72 128.15 19 times
Per capita yield (Rs.) (as per cropped area) 445.62 s 6465.7 14.50 time

The irrigated or cultivated land went up from 543.32ha in 1975-76 to 710.94ha

in 2001. Uncultivated land went down from 241.32 ha of 1975-76 to 36.66 ha in
2011. Reserved forest has increased from 100.30 ha in 1975-76 to 194.28 ha in 2011.
(Source: Grampanchayat Ralegan Siddhi). The most important impact has been on
women, who used to walk 2-3 km to fetch water; now water is available every 100
meters. (FRCH and CMDR, 2002)

“The high agricultural productivity has come at a cost of overdose of chemical

fertilizers and pesticides. Ashish Kothari, a Pune-based Natural Resource Expert,
says, "The overuse of pesticides should be controlled.' An attempt to shift to organic
farming is underway.” (WEbnet, 2000)

7.4.6 New Generation:

Photo 7-55: Village youth at Temple Photo 7-56: Village youth at Temple Sabhagruh
Sabhagruh

It is more than 25 years now, since the village has started with the community
development. The situation in the village has changed drastically. The new generation
who grow old has not witnessed the worst situation neither they have participated in
the main important voluntary labour which has improved financial conditions of the
village. They have their own set of expectations and aspirations, leading to more
demands for themselves.

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 The changing culture and commercialization and globalizations have changed
the view points of young generation. Anna Hazare once said. "Ralegan's social
character has changed beyond recognition. Agriculture, despite being very productive,
may not be the first choice of people anymore. I cannot say how the future generation
will treat the village and its legacy.” (Mehta A. K., 2008).

Primary survey shows that Anna‟s strong influence is still seen on young
generations and has resulted in student aspiring to join army after completing their
10th or 12th. Second popular aspiration is to become a teacher. As many as 300 passed
out students have joined Army where as more than 100 girls have done D. Ed. and
working as teachers. 400 youngsters from the village have migrated out for doing
jobs. Most of the families have at least a member who has joined army.

Due to this exposure to the outside world, young generation is not wholly bind
to the social restrictions set by Gram Panchayat and observed by the villagers
unanimously till now. This is evident from the fact that there are 14 police complaints
happened mostly against new generations for disturbing the peace in the village. Even
though police complaints are not formally registered, the applications were
entertained to make the concerned aware of the implications of their behaviour in the
village.

The village is now over exposed to the world as Anna is now a national figure.
India against corruption movement has raised more interest among the political
parties to win the seat in Ralegan Siddhi, which was a non political seat till now. In
one of the focussed group discussions towards the end of the research, villagers
expressed the possible threat of politicians, spoiling the entire social structure of the
village in near future. „Politicians are using young villagers as a weapon to destroy the
village, as they want to defame Anna‟, a feeling expressed by Shri. T. L. Raut sir.

7.4.7 In-Migration (Reverse Migration):

Ralegan Siddhi is witnessing different sets of migrations in the village. New

generation after taking education have either joined the army, to temporarily move
their base to army head quarters, whereas many of the young people have moved to
bigger cities in search of better job opportunities. The in-migration was seen
immediately after the development which was result of community participation,

326
when villagers who left village in search of employment had returned back to
participate in the process of development of the village.

Now in the above scenario, we can see new families from other villages are
migrating to Ralegan Siddhi. The main reason behind this migration is availability of
good education for children and better quality of life as compare to the other villages.

7.5 Knowing Ralegan Siddhi through Household Survey:

A house hold survey was conducted in Ralegan Siddhi to see the existing
conditions of the village infrastructure and how the new and old generation give the
impression of being at the village in today‟s context. The researcher has visited this
village on several occasion including stays for several days to understand the insights
of the village from villagers point of view. Villagers were quite cooperative and open
for the questions asked in the survey, the answers seems to be coming quite easily and
fearlessly. The main survey and physical Mapping was done for three times which
was started in Nov/ Dec 2012, May/June 2013 and Nov/Dec 2014. The village was
first studied through a secondary data available and the interviews with Gram Sevak
Mr. Satish Kadam, Mr. T. L. Raut Sir and Mr. Dagadu Mapari.

Ralegan Siddhi is spread over several vasti‟s with only 30.86% people lives in
Gaothan, which is the most densely occupied place of the village. The village which
was previously, completely dependent on the agricultural economy is now slightly
shifting towards allied industry based development and now with Anna Hazare being
a nationally acclaimed personality, village has already gaining the status of the tourist
place, where many people are visiting village just to see or meet Anna.

The map below shows the locations of all vasti‟s in Ralegan Siddhi, along with the
major landmarks achieved through community participation by the villagers.

Table 7-4: population Distribution across Vasties in Ralegan Siddhi.

S. N. Area Population Percentage

1 Gaonthan 750 32.38 %

2 Jambhalthika 200 8.63 %

3 Mapardara 250 10.79 %

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4 Pathardara 200 8.63 %

5 Randoh Vasti 150 6.47 %

6 Vandara Vasti 200 8.63 %

7 Pote Vasti 200 8.63 %

8 Pachaki / Padmavati Ban/ Varta Mala 250 10.79 %

9 Mangir Vasti 117 5.05 %

Total 2317 100 %

Map 7-10: Location of Vasties in Ralegan Siddhi

The samples were distributed as per the population residing in each „vasti‟, and data is
collected by using area-wise stratified random sampling.

7.5.1 Age Distribution:

Even though the sample size is 30, the information about the entire family unit has
been collected making actual sample size of 125. The figure shows that more than
50% of samples were ranging between the age group of 30 to 50 years; 18% of
samples were above the age 61 and 17% were between 30-40 years, 15% were 20-30

328
years and 13% between 11-16 years – samples was very well divided in every age
group

Above 61 1-5 6-10

18% 4% 8%
51-60
4% 11-16
13%

41-50
14% 17-20
7%

31-40 21-30
17% 15%

Chart 7-1: Age Distribution across the Sample

7.5.2 Education Status:

Degree PG Below 5yrs

9% 2% 3% Illliterate
11th-12th 19%
16%

1st to 4th
16%
5th - 10th
35%

Chart 7-2: Education Status of the Sample population

The data shows that the 19% of people (majorly elderly females) are illiterate,
while 16% are either studying in primary school or have taken only primary
education, 35% of the sample has taken education till 10th, most of the students taking
education have answered to complete education till 10 th and then join employment,
that too majorly army, 16% falls into 11-12, 9% Degree and only 2% were post
graduates.

It has been observed that the new generation is very keen to take education till 10th
but not willing to go for further education. They very enthusiastically answered that
they would join military to serve nation.

329
7.5.3 Decision making Process in Ralegan Siddhi:

New Government
Anna Hazare Schemes
Sarpanch
Panchayat
Gram Sevak and Samiti
Govt Officials
Presentation & Suggestions

Self Finance
Budgetary
Answers Decisions
Free Labour
Type of Contribution

Queries
Paid Labour

Govt. Funding

Labour Charges

Responsibilities

Gram Sabha

Formation of Committee or Cooperative Society

IMPLEMENTATION

Figure 7-4: Implementation of Various Schemes

The main development work in Ralegan Siddhi has happened through the
implementation of new Government schemes. Anna, along with Sarpanch, Gram
Sevak and other Government officials use to discuss about the new schemes
introduced by the Government. If the scheme is found useful for implementing in the
village, the idea is put forth the Gram Sabha for suggestions and objections. Once
accepted by Gram Sabha, the type of contribution is finalised. The committee or the
cooperative society is established to look after the operational and implementations of
the scheme.

330
7.5.4 Community Participation in different projects

7.5.4.1 Reconstruction of Yadav baba Temple:

Reconstruction of Yadav Baba temple was the first step towards community
participation in the village. When question was asked about whether they have
participated in the reconstruction of the temple, 96% of the respondents said that they
have provided voluntary labour towards the reconstruction of the temple while 4%
said that they had contributed in the form of money instead of voluntary labour and
8% of the respondents said that they were not part of the process, as they had recently
shifted to the village and have participated in the later development such as school
building, toilets majorly in the form of the money, rather than providing a voluntary
labour.

No Contribution
8% of Money
4%

Yes
88%

Chart 7-3: Participation in the reconstruction of Yadav Baba temple

7.5.4.2 Water Conservation:

When question was asked about the participation in watershed program, the response
was same as the participation of reconstruction of Yadav Baba temple where 88%
respondent said they have provided voluntary labour during execution of the project,
while 4% said they had contributed in the form of money instead of voluntary labour.
8% of the respondents said that they were not part of the process, as they had recently
shifted to the village.

331
 Contribution
No
of Money
8%
4%

Yes
88%

Chart 7-4: Participation in Watershed project

7.5.4.3 Grain Bank:

Contribution
of Money
No 4%
36% Yes
60%

Chart 7-5: Contribution in Grain Bank

The Grain Bank was established in 1980 and was in existence for several years as
discussed in section 7.4.3.6. When question was asked about the participation in the
grain bank, 60% respondents said that they has contributed as well as had taken the
grains whenever needed from the bank, whereas 4% respondents said they had
contributed money, whereas 36% respondents said that they were not associated with
Grain bank.

7.5.4.4 Construction of Community Toilets:

Sent Labour
24%

Yes
48%

Paid Labour
Charges
24%
No
4%
Chart 7-6: Participation in construction of Community Toilets.

332
Community Toilets are constructed during the period of 1986-87. When question was
asked on the participation in the construction of the community toilets within the
village, 48% said they had contributed in the form of voluntary labour, whereas 24%
respondents said they had sent labours for doing their job whereas 24% said that they
has paid labour charges and 4% said they had not contributed in the project.

7.5.4.5 Water Supply:

Contribution Sent labour

of Money 4%
16%

No
4%

Yes
76%

Chart 7-7: Participation in Water Supply works

The construction of the water supply is done during the period of 2004-2005. When
respondents were asked the question on participation in laying of water supply, 76%
said they had provided voluntary labour whereas 16% said they had contributed in the
form of money, 4% said they had sent labour whereas 4% said they had not
contributed towards the work.

7.5.5 Occupation:

Main occupation of villagers is agriculture but every villager is involved in some kind
of secondary occupation. 58% of the respondent said that agriculture is their main
occupation whereas second largest main occupation is job which is 25%, followed by
horticulture as 13% and 4% are construction workers. 70% respondents said that they
are doing jobs as secondary occupation whereas Dairy, Poultry, Shop, tailoring and
restaurants as secondary occupation is answered by 6% respondents each.

333
 Tailouring
Horticulture
Restaurant
Shop
Poultry
Primary Occupation
Dairy
Secodary Occupation
Agricultural Labour
Construction Labour
Service
Agriculture

0 5 10 15 20

Chart 7-8: Occupation

7.5.6 Health:

Health issues Health Issues

Male Female
4% 10%

No Diseases
86%

Chart 7-9: The Health status of the sample

When the question was asked about the illnesses, 86% respondents said they are not
suffering from any illness, whereas 10% women and 4% male were suffering from
some health issue.

Maleria
2% Asthma Paralysis
3% 3% Arthritis
5%

Gap in Spinal
cord 5%

No Diseases
82%

Chart 7-10: Diseases Found in Females

334
When asked about the illness in women 82% said they are healthy, 5% women
answered they have detected gap in their spinal cord, 5% are suffering from arthritis,
3% from asthma, 3% from paralysis and 2% malaria. When the same question is
asked for men 3% said they are suffering from gap in spinal cord whereas 2% are
suffering from arthritis, paralysis and Asthma each, whereas 1% are suffering from
illness like Jaundice, Kidney failure, Heart trouble, malaria and cirrhosis each.

7.5.7 Decision Making at House level:

Unlike typical patriarchal family where decisions are taken by the males of the family,
when the question was asked, who is the decision makers for various activities, it has
been observed that majorly decisions are taken by the parent‟s together and in many
case it is female who takes the decision for the family. Some of the answers are
discussed in following sections.

7.5.7.1 Expenditures:

When question was asked about „who takes decisions on the expenditures for the
household needs‟, 8% respondents said they collectively take the decisions, 36%
answered the parents together take the decision, while 24% families respondents said
that the female in the house take the decisions while 32% families male takes the
decisions on the expenditures related to the house.

All
8% Male
Parents 32%
Together
36%

Female
24%

Chart 7-11: Decision Making on the Expenditures

7.5.7.2 Loan:

When question was asked about the decision maker for taking loans, 12% families
said the entire family members together discuss about it and then take the decisions,
24% families responded that parents together takes the decisions on such matters,
16% families said the female member of the house takes the decisions, 28% said male

335
member, 4% respondents said son of the family whereas 16% said they have never
came across such situation as they never opted for taking loans.

No LOANS Son
16% Male
4%
All 28%
12%

Parents Female
Together 16%
24%

Chart 7-12: Decision making on taking Loans

7.5.7.3 Education:

When question was asked who takes decision for selection of the school for a child,
40% respondents said the parents together discuss and decides on the school, whereas
28% families answered that the male member of the family take the decision while
12% said female member of the family takes the decisions, 12% said all the members
of the family together take the decision and 8% said they have never came across such
situation so they cannot answer.

Not
Applicable Male
All 8% 28%
12%

Parents
Together Female
40% 12%

Chart 7-13: Decision Making for the Selection of School.

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7.5.8 Aspirations:

7.5.8.1 Aspiration of a Son for his Occupation:

Teacher Agriculture
7% 7%

Army
Job
43%
43%

Chart 7-14: Son's Own Expected Occupation

When question was asked what type of occupation children wish for themselves, 43%
said they want to opt for good jobs, 43% answered they want to join army, 7% said
they want to be a teacher and 7% answered that they want to do agriculture and
explore new techniques in agriculture to improve the productivity.

7.5.8.2 Aspiration of Daughters for Occupation:

Police Agriculture
17% 16%

Nursing
17%

Job
50%

Chart 7-15: Daughter's Own Expected occupation

When the same questions were asked to girl child of the family 50% answered they
want to opt for jobs, 17% said Nursing, 17% said they want to join police force while
16% answered they want to do agriculture.

7.5.8.3 Aspiration of Parents for Son’s occupation in future:

When the question was asked to parents to express their opinions about son‟s
occupation, 44% parents answered that they want their son to undertake job as his
occupation, 31% answered they want his to join army, 6% said he should be a teacher

337
whereas 13% said he should work in agriculture and 6% left the decision on the son
himself to decide.

Teacher His wish Agriculture

6% 6% 13%

Army
31%

Job
44%

Chart 7-16: Expected Occupation for Son

7.5.8.4 Aspiration of Parents for Daughter’s occupation in the Future:

Her wish
10% Agriculture
40%

Job
40%
Nursing
10%
Chart 7-17: Expected Occupation for Daughter

When the same question was asked for daughter‟s occupation 40% parents answered
that she should opt for job, 10% said Nursing, 40% said should work in agriculture
and 10% said it up-to her to decide what she wants to do.

7.5.8.5 Aspiration of a Son to settle down:

Village
Posting 21%
36%

City
43%

Chart 7-18: Son's Own Expected Area for Settlement

When question was asked to children where they would want to settle down in the
future, 43% answered they want to move out to the city to settle down, 36% answered

338
it will depend on the postings (as they were willing to opt for army jobs) and 21%
answered they want to stay back in the village.

7.5.8.6 Aspiration of Parents for Son’s to settle down in future:

When the question was asked to the parent‟s where they wish their son to settle down,
53% answered that their son should settle down in city, 20% said it will depend on his
posting (considering army job), 7% parents said it‟s their son‟s wish while 20%
parents said that their son should stay in the village.

Son' wish Village

7% 20%
Posting
20%

City
53%

Chart 7-19: Parent's Expectation - Future Stay for Son.

When the similar question was asked for daughter, all the parents answered that it will
depend on her husband and location of the family where her marriage will be fixed
and same answer is given by girls when the question was asked where they would
want to settle down in future.

7.5.8.7 Son’s Education

Son's Wish
Degree 6%
31%

Till 12th Std

63%

Chart 7-20: Expected Education for Son

When the question was asked for the expected education for son, 63% parents
answered that they want their son to take education till 12 th standard, 31% said they

339
wish their son should take at least a degree and 6% said they have left the decision to
their son.

7.5.8.8 Daughter’s Education:

When same question was asked about the daughter, 50% parents answered that she
should take education till 12th standard, 20% said they want to educate their daughter
till Diploma engineering, 20% said degree while 10% left the decision on to the girl
child.

Dip. Eng.
20%
Till 12th Std
Daughter's 50%
Wish
10%

Degree
20%

Chart 7-21: Expected Education for Daughter

7.5.9 Types of Structures:

This data is collected through an observation survey for the houses in which the
household survey was carried out. The materials used for flooring, internal and
external plaster, walls and roofing clearly shows the trends in the construction which
is changing which the improving economic conditions of villagers whereas poor
villagers are still trying to collect enough money to convert their houses into
permanent houses. Use of tiles like Ceramic and Vitrified shows the aspirations to
have a house with modern amenities and similar to an urban house.

7.5.9.1 Type of Buildings:

As per primary survey 44% houses are Pacca (Permanent) houses constructed in RCC
and brickwork, 44% houses are Semi Pacca (Semi – Permanent) where as 12% houses
are still can be categorized in katchcha (temporary) houses. No Community
Participation is seen in the development of the houses except houses built for
Harijan‟s by the village surrounding the Yadav Baba temple.

340
 Katchcha
Semi 12%
Pacca
44%

Pacca
44%

Chart 7-22: Types of Houses

7.5.9.2 Roof Details:

It was clear from the observation survey conducted that about 56% of the houses were
constructed with the tin roof above, whereas 36% houses were constructed with RCC
slabs, Only 8% of the total houses surveyed were constructed out of traditional
roofing called as Dhabha/ Khan and were happy about indoor room temperature, even
in the absence of electricity, but when the question was asked on the type of
construction they would want to go for in future, all of them answered as RCC
structure, similar to an urban house.

RCC Slab
36%
Tin Roof
56%

Traditional
Roof
8%
Chart 7-23: Types of Roofing Materials used in construction

7.5.9.3 Wall Details:

Brick wall & Brick wall &
Mud Wall Stone Wall
4% 8%
Stone wall
12%

Brick Wall
76%

Chart 7-24: Materials Used for Walls.

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76% structures are constructed entirely in brickwork and cement plaster; whereas 4%
houses were constructed in Brick and Mud wall and mud mortar, 8% houses were
constructed out of brickwork and stone work with lime mortar or cement mortar (few
on the structures are also constructed with mud mortar) and 12% houses were purely
constructed in the stone walls.

7.5.9.4 Flooring Materials:

Vitrified
4% Kota
Ceramic
32% 32%

Shahabad
Cow Dung
12%
20%
Chart 7-25: Flooring Materials

32% of the structures are constructed with kota flooring and 32% with ceramic
flooring, 12% houses used Shahabad flooring whereas 4% used vitrified tiles and 20%
still use cow dung plaster for the flooring.

7.5.9.5 Internal Plaster:

72% of the structures were applied Sanla plaster as a internal plaster, whereas 4%
applied rough cast plaster, 4% applied Lime plaster whereas 4% still apply cow dung
plaster as a internal plaster. 12% structures are newly constructed houses and have not
applied any plaster due to unavailability of funds, and planning to apply sanla after
the availability of funds.

Rough Cast
No Plaster Plaster
16% 4%
Lime Plaster
4%

Cow Dung
Plaster
4%
Sanla
72%

Chart 7-26: Internal Plaster

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7.5.9.6 External Plaster:

76% of the houses surveyed were having rough cast plaster applied as a external
plaster, 4% houses were still applying cow dung and at some location they have
applied rough cast plaster, whereas 20% houses which are newly constructed are
without any plaster due to unavailability of funds.

Cow Dung & No Plaster

Rough Cast 20%
4%

Rough Cast
Plaster
76%

Chart 7-27: External Plaster

7.5.10 House level Infrastructure:

7.5.10.1 Approach roads:

Katchcha
road
44%

Tar Road
56%

Chart 7-28: Approach Roads

56% houses were accessed through Tar roads, whereas 44% houses were accessed
through Katchcha roads (Rammed earth roads)

7.5.10.2 Use of Toilets:

When question was asked on what type of toilets they use, 20% respondents said they
were not using any toilets and go to open fields. Out of the total sample 16% said they
use their own attached toilets within their house. 24% had answered that they use the
toilets which are constructed toilets just outside their house where as 24% has
completely detached toilets which are at a distance more than 10feets, whereas 16%
use community toilets.

343
The samples not using toilets were basically from „vasti‟s which are located near the
farmlands; where people prefer to go to open fields due to less population and to
avoid expenditure needed for the construction of the toilets.

Community
Open Fields
Toilets
20%
16%

Attached
16%

Detached at Just Outside

distance the house
24% 24%
Chart 7-29: Use of Toilets

7.5.10.3 Availability of Water:

Bore
4% handpump
4%

Tap water
92%

Chart 7-30: Water Availability

92% houses were connected with the tapped water connections; whereas 4% houses
are using water from hand pump and 4% were extracts water from bore wells.

7.5.10.4 Type of appliances used for cooking:

Chullah
9%

Cyleinder
Gas &
Chullah
91%
Chart 7-31: Type of appliances used for cooking

344
91% household use „gas cylinder & chulha‟ whereas 9% use only chulhas for cooking
– these chulhas are smokeless chulhas.

7.5.11 Other observations:

I. There are seven farm ponds (shet tali) in the village which are constructed by
villagers who hold more land. The water is extracted by the bore well to store
in the farm pond for watering the farms.

Photo 7-57: Water Extracted through Bore well to

Photo 7-58: Shet Tali (Farm pond) store in the farm pond.

II. All the houses were connected with grid electricity

III. All the houses were having either landline or mobile phone connections. 40%
of the ladies use mobile phones for various purposes.
IV. Most of the toilets are connected to septic tanks for the waste disposal.
V. The Plastic waste which is thrown away by the visitors is seen along the road
side or inaccessible areas of the village.

7.6 Analysis of outcome of ‘Ralegan Siddhi Model’ on Bivariate

Analysis:

7.6.1 Decentralized Planning (DP) & Infrastructure Development (ID)

7.6.1.1 CO-OPERATION of DP with all the components of ID.

7.6.1.1.1 CO-OPERATION of DP and COMMUNICATION NETWORK of ID

Table 7-5: legend for the source of information

Legend
* Primary Survey / Interview ** Information from Gram Panchayat
*** Published Literature # Census Data

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Table 7-6: CO-OPERATION & COMMUNICATION NETWORK for Ralegan Siddhi Model

DECENTRALIZED PLANNING INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

CO-OPERATION COMMUNICATION NETWORK

Cooperative/Associative Farming: Availability of Internet: Internet is

Cooperative farming started in response available on all mobile phones (Vodafone
to help to repay the loan taken from service provider) : 32.36% youths
banks by lower caste people. The youth regularly use the internet in the village*
club together with the villagers had
worked on the farms and replayed the
loan taken. */***

Weight: 9.98 / Rank: 13 Weight: 10.18 / Rank: 15

Capacity building: There are several Availability - Post Office: There is a post
Training programmes arranged at the office within the village, which is located
village to carry out capacity building. near the Gram Panchayat office and
Now, as the village is projected as a Maharashtra Bank. */**
model village, many villagers come at the
Hind Swaraj training centre for taking
trainings mainly on watershed
managements.*

Weight: 12.08 / Rank: 5 Weight: 7.88 / Rank: 18

Participation of community in Availability - Gas mains: During 1980,

development Work: All the watershed 32 houses were connected by gas mains
projects, School, Houses for poor, to the bio-gas plant, but soon the system
Temple, associative farming was done failed as villagers were sceptical about
through community the quality of gas used for preparing food.
participation.*/**/*** Now 91% of the households use LPG gas

Weight: 14.29 / Rank: 1 and 9% use chulhas for cooking*

Female participation Rate in Decision

making at Village level: Is encouraged in
the village.

Weight: 12.03 / Rank: 6

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Membership of cooperative societies:
Most of the families are having
memberships of various co-operative
societies, but still 35 families are not still
connected to any cooperative society. **

Weight: 9.79 / Rank: 14 Weight: 8.18 / Rank: 17

Water Share for landless labourers: The Availability of Telephone/Cell Phones:

share in water is given to landless people, Yes: 79.84%. Villagers use mobile
who worked for watershed projects and phones. */**
the lift irrigation project. */**/***

Weight: 9.74 / Rank: 15 Weight: 10.44 / Rank: 14

Team spirit: To overcome the water Availability of school for Courses on

situations and the poverty people set Agriculture: Not available * / **
example of team spirit.

Weight: 13.23 / Rank: 2 Weight: 11.59 / Rank: 7

Conclusions:

I. Even though the parameters measuring COMMUNICATION NETWORK

ranked (Freidman‟s mean rank) below 7th position, it shows significant
correlation with measuring parameters of top ranked parameters of CO-
OPERATION, like Participation of community in development Work, Team
spirit, capacity building, etc. and Water Share for landless labourers,
Membership of cooperative societies, Cooperative/Associative Farming and
Female participation Rate in Decision making at Village level.
II. Parameters measuring „CO-OPERATION‟ like, Capacity building,
Cooperative Farming, Memberships of Cooperative Societies and team spirit
are primarily seen in Ralegan Siddhi. So as per correlation established by
experts, we can say that it is influenced by „availability of Internet, telephone
and Post office‟ of COMMUNICATION NETWORK.

7.6.1.1.2 CO-OPERATION of DP and SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE of ID

For CO-OPERATION see Table 7-5

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Table 7-7: SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE for Ralegan Siddhi Model

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Availability of Clinic: There is a sub-center of Primary Health Centre (PHC) at

Ralegan Siddhi. Also there is a private Clinic. There is a private Doctor who comes
every Thursday and offers free check up along with free medicines to the villagers.
*/**/***/#

Weight: 13.29 & Rank: 5

Availability of Community Center: Community centre has constructed in 2008-10,

but before that the temple sabhagruh (Assembly Hall) and the open space adjoining to
it were/are used as a place to meet and conduct meetings or functions. */**

Weight: 10.51 & Rank: 13

Availability of Primary School: The primary school till 4th standard was there in the
village since the beginning. But it was not regular with more numbers of school drop
outs. After Anna Hazare came to village and the change in economic conditions the
school started functioning properly. Anna and Villagers had given fight to bring in
High school permission for the village. Now the School has permission for
conducting classes till 12th standard. Recently Gurukul (Education based on Indian
traditional values and teaching methodology) was started in the village which will be
till 10th standard and students will reside in the campus of Hind Swaraj Trust during
their education (no fees will be charged as school is for students from poor families).
Main focus of this study is ethical behaviour and knowing skills required for small
scale industries. */**/***/#

Weight: 14.28 & Rank: 1

Availability of school for Technical Courses: There is no special school which gives
technical education, but in an interview Mr. Dagadu Mapari has said that they are
thinking to start ITI which will give primary skill set to the children. The recently
started Gurukul is going to conduct the courses of technical educations. *

Weight: 11.29 & Rank: 10

348
Conclusions:
I. As per Experts‟ Opinions, „CO-OPERATION‟ which is a measure of DP
shows significant correlation with „SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ of ID.
II. The „CO-OPERATION‟ is measured on the basis of Co-
operative/Associative Farming, Capacity building, Participation of community
in development Work, Female participation Rate in Decision making at
Village level, Water Share for landless labourers & team spirit . A parameter,
Female participation Rate in Decision making at Village level has not yet
shown a significant improvement, but the overall status of women has
improved in Ralegan Siddhi. Other parameters collectively help creating social
infrastructure for the village. SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE which has
brought in a lot of changes in the village to positively influence by all the
parameters of Co-operation. So the correlation between „CO-OPERATION‟
and „SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ is accepted by „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟
of Ralegan Siddhi.
III. The „SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ of ID is measured on the basis of four
parameters - Availability of Clinic, Community Centre, Primary School and
school for Technical Courses. The availability of school is ranked one
parameter for infrastructure, this parameter is doing very good with
availability of primary, secondary and higher secondary schools in the village.
The village is well known for the schools in the surrounding regions. Recently
in 2014, the Gurukul has started in the village with the focus of giving
students from poor families will be given skill sets required for small scale
industries and they will be empowered to do the works within the village
itself. Community centre even though is the recent addition and constructed in
2008-10, the formal meetings used to take place in temple Sabhagruh, School
buildings or Open space around the temple. So the important developments
and meetings use to happen in the absence of the community centre so the
importance ranked by experts‟, which is below the 10th rank (13th rank) is
validated here by „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟. Availability of Clinic in the form
of centre of PHC in the village along with a private clinic and the visiting
doctor who offers free checkups and medicines for the villagers has improved
health issues in the village. The need of a technical school is identified and
addressed through Gurukul; also the need of ITI courses is also felt and

349
 discussed during the interview. So overall, all the parameters of social
infrastructure are creating a good impact not only in the village but also on the
surrounding villagers.

7.6.1.1.3 CO-OPERATION of DP and WATER & SANITATION of ID

For CO-OPERATION see Table 7-5

Table 7-8: WATER & SANITATION for Ralegan Siddhi Model

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
WATER & SANITATION

Rainwater Harvesting: There are two types of Rainwater harvesting systems, one
through watershed management and other at Building level. Ralegan Siddhi is well
known for its watershed projects, but building level rainwater harvesting is not seen
in the village. */**/***

Weight: 13.76 & Rank: 3

Availability of Sanitation: There are several attempts to make village clean under
„total sanitation programme‟ and „Nirmal Gram Yojana‟. Under these schemes,
several community toilets were built to achieve 100% open defecation free village.
Now 16% villagers have attached toilets, 48% houses have toilets just outside their
houses & 16% villagers use Community toilets (most of the community toilets are
not in use now), whereas 20% (primary Survey) villagers still opting for open
defecation – this percentage is reduced from 34.97% of year 2000. The waste
disposals of the toilets are through septic tanks and soak pits. The waste water
disposal is generally done through soak pits, in some cases soak pits are located on
the road, in some cases it is the backyard or taken to the farms with the help of
pipeline and used the water for watering the plants. */**/***

Weight: 13.38 & Rank: 4

Availability of Water: Earlier women use to walk almost 2.5km to fetch water for
drinking purposes and household chores. Watershed project has raised the ground
water level and water was made available in the wells. The water tank was
constructed in 2002-03 under Jawahar Rojgar Yojna (JRY) followed by piped water

350
 supply in 2004-05 and 2007-08. Now every house is connected through piped water
supply.*/**/***

Weight: 13.82 & Rank: 2

Conclusions:

I. The perception survey shows that there is a significant correlation between

CO-OPERATION of DP and „WATER & SANITATION‟ of ID.
II. The parameters measuring „WATER & SANITATION‟ are top ranked
parameters for its impact on sustainable rural development as per the experts
contacted.
III. „CO-OPERATION‟ is measured on the basis of Team Spirit, Water Share for
landless labourers, Membership of cooperative societies, Female participation
Rate in Decision making at Village level, Participation of community in
development Work, Capacity building and Cooperative/Associative Farming.
All these activities are started with the watershed project in Ralegan Siddhi,
which has resulted in the availability of water and rain water harvesting,
Availability of Sanitation has followed in the process of development, which
are measures of „WATER & SAITATION‟. So, the co-relation established in
the perception survey was validated in „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ of Ralegan
Siddhi.

7.6.1.1.4 CO-OPERATION of DP and IMPORTED MATERIALS of ID

For CO-OPERATION see Table 7-5

Table 7-9: IMPORTED MATERIALS for Ralegan Siddhi Model

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
IMPORTED MATERIALS
Imported Materials used in Construction (From Other countries): From the Primary
survey shows that imported materials from other countries are not used in the
construction for any building in the village and same was confirmed in the formal and
informal interviews.*
Weight: 2.08 & Rank: 20

351
Construction of house with Non - locally available material (within country): In
Ralegan Siddhi, more than 60% of the houses are constructed with newly accepted
technology of 9” or 6” thick external; Brick / Concrete block wall, replacing
traditional structures of 1.5‟ (minimum) thick external skin of the building. The
materials used for these structures are brought from the nearby towns (Mostly Shirur
(12-13kms away) and most of the materials purchased is imported from other parts of
state or a country. *
Weight: 3.88 & Rank: 19

Conclusions:

I. The correlation between the „CO-OPERATION‟ and the „IMPORTED

MATERIALS‟, is rejected by perception survey, but the same relation is
validated by „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ in Ralegan Siddhi, where the use of
imported materials is increased with the increase in cooperation. The houses
constructed for the lower caste people through voluntary labour are also
constructed using imported materials.
II. As per Experts‟ Opinions „IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ are measured on the
basis of parameters like Construction of house with Non - locally available
material (within country) for its neutral impact on sustainability and Imported
Materials used in Construction (From Other countries) for its negative impact
on sustainability. These parameters are ranked for 19 th and 20th position for its
impact on sustainable rural development, within twenty parameters given to
the experts.

7.6.2 Correlation seen in Ralegan Siddhi for CO-OPERATION and all

the components of ID.
Table 7-10: Correlation seen in Ralegan Siddhi for CO-OPERATION and all the components of ID.

DECENTRALIZED INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

PLANNING

CO-OPERATION COMMUNICATION NETWORK: Significant positive

correlation with positive parameter

SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE: Significant positive

352
 correlation with positive parameter

WATER & SANITATION: Significant positive correlation

with positive parameter

IMPORTED MATERIALS: Significant Positive Correlation

with negative parameters

7.6.2.1 SOCIAL AWARENESS of DP with all the components of ID

7.6.2.1.1 SOCIAL AWARENESS of DP and COMMUNICATION NETWORK of

ID

For COMMUNICATION NETWORK see Table 7-5

Table 7-11: SOCIAL AWARENESS for Ralegan Siddhi Model

DECENTRALIZED PLANNING

SOCIAL AWARENESS

Farmer – consumer direct chain: There are efforts taken to establish Farmer –
consumer direct chain farmers, where farmers directly sell their organic vegetables to
the consumer avoiding a middle man. But this is not working out for other agricultural
produce. *

Weight: 12.53 / Rank: 4

Group marriages (Samuhik Vivah): This is practiced in the village, to reduce the
burden of the marriage expenses on parents of girl child. The major expenses are
borne by Anna, who gives fixed amount for such events. */***

Weight: 9.53 / Rank: 16

Awareness programmes: Such programmes are organised during the meetings of

Gram Sabhas, SHGs, and Co-operative societies. *

Weight: 11.63 / Rank: 9

Motivational programmes: Such programmes are organised during the meetings of

Gram Sabhas, SHGs and Co-operative societies. *

Weight: 11.75 / Rank: 8

353
Conclusions:

I. The experts‟ Opinions show the significant correlation for SOCIAL

AWARENESS of DP and COMMUNICATION NETWORK of ID.
II. The SOCIAL AWARENESS which is measured on the basis of parameters
like, Farmer – consumer direct chain, Group marriage (Samuhik Vivah),
Awareness programmes and Motivation programmes. Most of these indicators
are ranked above the 10th rank showing the importance of the component for
the DP. This component shows a significant association with „Communication
Network‟ of ID which is measured on the basis of availability of Internet,
Telephone and post office. Farmer – consumer direct chain has also been a
result of the availability of internet, telephone and post office and LPG gas
(which has reduced time spent in searching for firewood) as well, resulting in
search of more income generating sources.
III. This association is recognized in Ralegan Siddhi as village practices the Group
marriages (Samuhik vivah), which reduced the indebtedness due to marriage
expenses and dowry given to the girl child, Awareness and Motivational
programmes and which has played a significant role in the development of the
village.

7.6.2.1.2 SOCIAL AWARENESS of DP and SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE of ID

For SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE see Table 7-6

For SOCIAL AWARENESS see Table 7-10

Conclusions:

I. Perception Survey of experts‟ opinions shows a significant correlation

between „SOCIAL AWARENESS‟ and „SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟.
II. This correlation is validated by „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ of Ralegan Siddhi, as
parameters like Farmer – consumer direct chain, Group marriages (Samuhik
Vivah), Awareness programmes and Motivational programmes which are
measures of „SOCIAL AWARENESS‟ are influenced by the existence of
social infrastructure in the village.
III. Most of the awareness, motivational programmes and Samuhik Vivah have
happened at the common open spaces and school buildings, whereas the

354
 availability of PHC sub centre has addressed the health issues in the village to
promote a greater degree of people‟s involvement to address the community
issues.

7.6.2.1.3 SOCIAL AWARENESS of DP and WATER & SANITATION of ID

For WATER & SANITATION see Table 7-7

For SOCIAL AWARENESS see Table 7-10

Conclusions:

I. „SOCIAL AWARENESS‟, which is measured on the basis of Farmer –

consumer direct chain (Rank: 4), Group marriages (Samuhik Vivah)
(Rank:16), Awareness programmes (Rank: 9) and Motivational programmes
(Rank: 8). Most of the parameters are ranked above 10th position for its
positive impact on sustainable rural development
II. The parameters measuring „WATER & SANITATION‟ like Availability of
water (Rank: 2), Rainwater harvesting (Rank: 3) and Availability of
sanitation(Rank: 4) are top ranked for its impact on sustainable rural
development.
III. Even though the correlation between „SOCIAL AWARENESS‟ and „WATER
& SANITATION‟ has rejected, by perception survey; „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟
has validated the correlation with the fact that parameters like Farmer –
consumer direct chain, Samuhik Vivah, Awareness programmes and
Motivational programmes have been arranged and implemented due to
improvement happened in the parameters measuring, „WATER &
SANITATION‟ like Availability of water, Rain water harvesting and
Availability of sanitation.

7.6.2.1.4 SOCIAL AWARENESS of DP and IMPORTED MATERIALS of ID

For IMPORTED MATERIALS see Table 7-8

For SOCIAL AWARENESS see Table 7-10

355
Conclusions:

I. The correlation is not accepted for „SOCIAL AWARENESS‟ and

„IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ by the perception survey of experts‟ opinions.
II. Ralegan Siddhi has validated the association of both the components, as
„SOCIAL AWARENESS‟, which is measured on the basis of „Farmer –
consumer direct chain‟, „Group marriages (Samuhik Vivah)‟, „Awareness
programmes‟ and Motivational programmes were happening when the use of
Imported materials are increased in Ralegan Siddhi. So the association is
validated for the development in Ralegan Siddhi.
III. „IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ are measured on the basis of parameters like
Construction of house with Non - locally available material (within country)
for its neutral impact on sustainability and Imported Materials used in the
Construction (From Other countries) for its negative impact on sustainability.

7.6.3 Correlation seen in Ralegan Siddhi for SOCIAL AWARENESS and

all the components of ID
Table 7-12: Correlation seen in Ralegan Siddhi for SOCIAL AWARENESS and all the components of ID.

DECENTRALIZED INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

PLANNING

SOCIAL COMMUNICATION NETWORK: Significant positive

AWARENESS correlation with positive parameter

SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE: Significant positive

correlation with positive parameter

WATER & SANITATION: Significant positive correlation

with positive parameter

IMPORTED MATERIALS: Significant Positive Correlation

with negative parameters

356
7.6.3.1 OPPORTUNITY AWARENESS of DP with all the components of ID

7.6.3.1.1 OPPORTUNITY AWARENESS of DP and COMMUNICATION

NETWORK of ID

For COMMUNICATION NETWORK see Table 7-5

Table 7-13: OPPORTUNITY AWARENESS for Ralegan Siddhi Model

DECENTRALIZED PLANNING

OPPORTUNITY AWARENESS

Collaboration with Government: Ralegan Siddhi is well recognised for the effective
implementations of the Government schemes in the village. The villagers on the
advice of Shri. Anna Hazare have offered voluntary labour for the implementations
of the schemes, thus by saving on labour costs and utilising it for improving the
quality of the work done under the schemes. */**/***

Weight: 10.63 & Rank: 10

Implementation of Government Schemes: Ralegan Siddhi has set the best example for
the effective implementations Government schemes. Household survey shows that
people were aware of the schemes, funds and work done under the schemes. */**/***

Weight: 12.02 & Rank: 7

Conclusions:

I. Experts‟ Opinions show that there is significant correlation between

„OPPORTUNITY AWARENESS‟ and „COMMUNICATION NETWORK‟
of DP.
II. The „OPPORTUNITY AWARENESS‟ is measured on the basis of
Collaboration with Government (Rank: 10) and Implementation of
Government Schemes (Rank: 7) which has resulted in the implementation of
infrastructure. The major work done in Ralegan Siddhi was through the
implementation of Government schemes. Villagers (96% of the sample) have
offered their free, voluntary labour towards implementation of schemes
resulting in better quality of infrastructure developed for the village. 68% of
people answered that they were aware of Government schemes under which

357
 the work was carried out; whereas 32% said that they worked because it was
asked for in the Gram Sabha.
III. The „COMMUNICATION NETWORK‟ is measured on the basis of
parameters like availability of Internet, Availability of Gas mains, Availability
of Telephone/Cell Phones, Availability of Post Office and Availability of
school for Courses on Agriculture. Most of these parameters are the outcome
of the parameters of „OPPORTUNITY AWARENESS‟ for „Ralegan Siddhi
Model‟ of Ralegan Siddhi.
IV. This establishes the correlation between the two components for Ralegan
Siddhi.

7.6.3.1.2 OPPORTUNITY AWARENESS of DP and SOCIAL

INFRASTRUCTURE of ID

For SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE see Table 7-6

For OPPORTUNITY AWARENESS see Table 7-12

Conclusion:

I. The „OPPORTUNITY AWARENESS‟ is measured on the basis of

Collaboration with Government and Implementation of Government Schemes;
this has resulted in the implementation of the village level infrastructure at
Ralegan Siddhi. All the works done in Ralegan Siddhi are through the
implementation of Government schemes. Villagers (96% of the sample) have
offered their free, voluntary labour towards implementation of schemes
resulting in the good amount of infrastructure developed for the village. In
Primary Survey, 68% of people said that they were aware of Government
schemes under which work was carried out; whereas 32% answered they
worked because it was asked for in the Gram Sabha. Villagers had offered
free, voluntary labour for construction of School building, PHC sub centre and
Yadav Baba temple, etc. (top ranked parameters of ID measuring SOCIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE). So, the correlation is established by „Ralegan Siddhi
Model‟ of Ralegan Siddhi.

358
7.6.3.1.3 OPPORTUNITY AWARENESS of DP and WATER & SANITATION of
ID

For WATER & SANITATION see Table 7-3

For OPPORTUNITY AWARENESS see Table 7-8

Conclusions:

I. Perception survey of Experts‟ opinions denied the correlation between

„OPPORTUNITY AWARENESS‟ which is measured on the basis of
Collaboration with Government & Implementation of Government Schemes
and „WATER & SANITATION‟, which is measured on the basis of
Availability of water, rain water harvesting and Availability of sanitation.
II. In Ralegan Siddhi, the measuring parameters of „WATER & SANITATION‟
are the outcome of the Government schemes implemented through community
participation. Hence the correlation is well established in „Ralegan Siddhi
Model‟ of Ralegan Siddhi.

7.6.3.1.4 OPPORTUITY AWARENESS of DP and IMPORTED MATERIALS of

ID

For IMPORTED MATERIALS see Table 7-8

For OPPORTUNITY AWARENESS see Table 7-12

Conclusions:

I. Perception survey shows that there is no correlation between

„OPPORTUNITY AWARENESS‟ of DP and „IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ of
ID.
II. „OPPORTUNITY AWARENESS‟ which is measured on the basis of
Collaboration with Government & Implementation of Government Schemes.
Even if the correlation is not established by experts with „IMPORTED
MATERIALS‟, in the reality the use of IMPORTED MATERIALS are the
outcome of improved economic conditions due to collective working on
Government schemes in Ralegan Siddhi. The houses constructed for one of the
Government schemes, Indira Awaas Yojna (IAY); the materials and

359
 technology used in construction were imported from outside. This shows the
correlation between both the components in Ralegan Siddhi.

7.6.4 Correlation seen in Ralegan Siddhi for OPPORTUNITY

AWARENESS and all the components of ID
Table 7-14: Correlation seen in Ralegan Siddhi for OPPORTUNITY AWARENESS and all the components
of ID.

DECENTRALIZED INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

PLANNING

OPPORTUNITY COMMUNICATION NETWORK: Significant positive

AWARENESS correlation with positive parameter

SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE: Significant positive

correlation with positive parameter

WATER & SANITATION: Significant positive correlation

with positive parameter

IMPORTED MATERIALS: Significant Positive Correlation

with negative parameters

7.6.4.1 SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR of DP with all the components of ID

7.6.4.1.1 SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR of DP and COMMUNICATION NETWORK of

ID

For COMMUNICATION NETWORK see Table 7-5

Table 7-15: SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR for Ralegan Siddhi Model

DECENTRALIZED PLANNING

SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

Punishments for non cooperation: There is a provision of tying up with a pillar for a
day for violation of any regulation i. e. alcohol consumption. Some villagers have said
that Anna‟s army belt was used several times to beat the person to insult, which could
restrain him from consuming alcohol. */***

Weight: 4.95 / Rank:19

Impact of Religion on participation: In Ralegan Siddhi, we can see a strong impact of

360
religion on the participation and also villagers have taken pledge of obeying
regulations set by Gram Sabha. */***

Weight: 3.99 / Rank: 20

Conclusions:

I. SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR is measured on the basis of Punishments for non

cooperation & Impact of Religion on participation. These two parameters have
secured bottom most importance amongst the twenty measuring parameters of
DP.
II. Perception survey of experts‟ opinions shows that there is significant
correlation between „COMMUNICATION NETWORK‟ with „SOCIAL
BEHAVIOUR‟ which is a component of DP.
III. In Ralegan Siddhi we can see the association between SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
and COMMUNICATION NETWORK, both the parameters have shown a
positive impact on the overall ethical development in Ralegan Siddhi.

7.6.4.1.2 SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR of DP and SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE of ID

For SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, see Table 7-6

For SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, see Table 7-14

Conclusions:

I. Perception Survey has not validated for „SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR‟ of DP and

„SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ of ID.
II. „SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR‟ which is measured on the basis of Punishments for
non cooperation and the Impact of Religion. In Ralegan Siddhi; the starting
point of the entire work was construction of „Yadav Baba Temple‟ which then
served the purpose of community centre and all the meetings used to take
place in the temple. The Oath of non consumption of alcohol was taken in the
temple itself and the punishment as well. Others parameters are not directly
correlated with the infrastructure, but the overall development has confirmed
the positive correlation between „SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ and
„SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR‟ for „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ of Ralegan Siddhi.

361
7.6.4.1.3 SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR of DP and WATER & SANITATION of ID

For WATER & SANITATION, see Table 7-7

For SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, see Table 7-14

Conclusions:

I. The perception survey shows that there is no correlation between „WATER &
SANITATION‟ and „SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR‟ measured on the basis of
Punishments given for non cooperation and Impact of Religion on
participation.
II. Both the parameters are rated for the average to low positive impact on
sustainable rural development, have shown a good positive impact on overall
development in Ralegan Siddhi. So, „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ accepts the
correlation between „WATER & SANITATION‟ and „SOCIAL
BEHAVIOUR‟ for Ralegan Siddhi.

7.6.4.1.4 SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR of DP and IMPORTED MATERIALS of ID

For IMPORTED MATERIALS, see Table 7-8

For SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR, see Table 7-14

Conclusions:

I. Perception Survey shows that there is no correlation established between, and

„SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR‟ of DP, and „IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ of ID.
II. The „SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR‟ which is measured on the basis of Punishments
given for non cooperation and Impact of Religion on participation, the
correlation has been validated by the development in Ralegan Siddhi, as both
the parameters have shown a good impact on overall development in Ralegan
Siddhi. This has eventually given choices to the people, including choice of
selection of building materials, which has resulted in the selection of imported
materials in construction. So the correlation even if not very direct and strong
is established for „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟.

7.6.5 Correlation seen in Ralegan Siddhi for SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR and

all the components of ID.
362
Table 7-16: Correlation seen in Ralegan Siddhi for SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR and all the components of ID.

DECENTRALIZED INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

PLANNING

SOCIAL COMMUNICATION NETWORK: Significant positive

BEHAVIOUR correlation with positive parameter

SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE: Significant positive

correlation with positive parameter

WATER & SANITATION: Significant positive correlation

with positive parameter

IMPORTED MATERIALS: Significant Positive Correlation

with negative parameters

7.6.6 Final observed correlations between the components of DP and ID

for ‘Ralegan Siddhi Model’ of Ralegan Siddhi.
Table 7-17: Observed Correlation Matrix for DP and ID components.

Decentralized Planning
Opportunity
Awareness

Awareness

Behaviour
Operation

Social

Social
Co-

Communication
Infrastructure Development

Network PC : PP PC : PP PC : PP PC : PP
Social
Infrastructure PC : PP PC : PP PC : PP PC : PP
Water &
Sanitation PC : PP PC : PP PC : PP PC : PP
Imported
Materials PC:NP/NuP PC: NP/NuP PC:NP/NuP PC:NP/NuP

PC: Positive correlation; PP: Positive Parameter, NP: Negative Parameter, NuP:
Neutral Parameter; NC: Negative Correlation

363
Conclusion:

Table 7-17 shows the observation correlation between the components identified
through Expert‟s perception survey. The outcome for each component is clearly seen
in Ralegan Siddhi with the logical relation established with the other components as
discussed in the component wise conclusions from the above sections. The results
shoes that there is a correlation between all the components of ID & DP.

7.6.7 Infrastructure Development (ID) & Economic Development (ED)

7.6.7.1 COMMUNICATION NETWORK of ID with all the components of ED

7.6.7.1.1 COMUNICATION NETWORK of ID and FUND MANAGEMENT of ED

For COMMUNICATION NETWORK see Table 7-5

Table 7-18: FUND MANAGEMENT for Ralegan Siddhi Model

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

FUND MANAGEMENT

Water Audits & Crop Pattern Management: The amount of water to be distributed is
decided by the cooperative societies established for water works. The Water
intensive crops are banned for the majority of the cases. Farmers penalize for
wastage of water if any. * / ***

Weight: 14.43 / Rank: 1

Appropriate Crop Pattern & Management: After the availability of water is known
the crops are decided by individual farmers. No water intensive crops are allowed
without permission. Farmers are encouraged to take diverse crops to maintain the
yield of the soil. */***

Weight: 14.38 / Rank: 2

Female Bachat Gat (Self Help Group): There are twenty six SHGs covering 90% of
the families of Ralegan Siddhi. 20 SHG‟s are looked after by Masum NGO, who has
initiated SHG‟s in the village in 1996. The NGO and now women themselves
organise and discuss the programmes like discussions on various income generating
programmes, Child marriages, Banking awareness, participation in Gram Sabha

364
meetings, registration of marriages etc. */#

Weight: 12.71 / Rank: 6

Funding Agencies (NGO‟s, INGO‟s, CSR‟s etc): In the initial stages of

development, the village received funds from NGO‟s and Trust, but during the
stages of development, people have accepted funds only from Government and used
it for creating infrastructure in village. NGO‟s are involved in the works like social
development. */***

Weight: 10.92 / Rank: 12

Conclusions:

I. The „COMMUNICATION NETWORK‟ is measured on the basis of

parameters like availability of Internet (Rank: 15), Availability - Gas mains
(Rank: 17), Availability of Telephone/Cell Phones (Rank: 14), Availability -
Post Office (Rank: 18) and Availability of school for Courses on Agriculture
(Rank: 7).These parameters have received lower ranks for its impact on
sustainable rural development as per perception survey for experts‟ opinions.
II. Bivariate analysis of perception survey confirms a significant correlation
between COMMUNICATION NETWORK and „FUND MANAGEMENT‟
which is measured from top ranked parameters of ED like „Water Audits &
Crop Pattern Management‟, „Appropriate Crop Pattern & Management‟,
Female Bachat Gat (Self Help Group) and Funding Agencies (NGO‟s,
INGO‟s, CSR‟s, etc.).
III. While talking about Female participation Rate in Decision making at Village
level, many women have responded that their life has become easy with the
availability of LPG gas at home, which reduces searching for firewood, and
now they can spend time in attending meetings of self help groups and
participate in the works of development. Almost all the females in the village
are involved in income generating activities.

7.6.7.1.2 COMUNICATION NETWORK of ID and MODERN PRAXIS of ED

For COMMUNICATION NETWORK see Table 7-5

365
Table 7-19: MODERN PRAXIS for Ralegan Siddhi Model

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
MODERN PRAXIS
No. of Tractors: There are nine tractors in the village. Villagers also hire tractors
when needed, but mostly use traditional methods of farming. */**
Weight: 7.47 / Rank: 16
Modern Practices in Agriculture like Green House etc.: Ralegan Siddhi has tried
various innovative methods such as, three poly houses, drip irrigation, renewable
energy, use of wastewater for irrigation etc.*/***
Weight: 10.63 / Rank: 14
Total Cultivable Land: 72.37% (710.94ha) of the total land are cultivable land in
Ralegan Siddhi, which shows 96.87% increase (688.68 ha) after watershed project. #
Weight: 11.99 / Rank: 9

Conclusions:

I. MODERN PRAXIS is measured on the basis of parameters like No. of

Tractors (Rank: 16), Modern Practices in Agriculture like Green House etc.
(Rank: 14) and Total Cultivable Land (Rank: 9). These parameters are not top
ranked for its impact on sustainable rural development.
II. As per Experts‟ Opinions taken in Perception survey, there is an association
between COMMUNICATION NETWORK of ID and MODERN PRAXIS of
ED.
III. Villagers have adopted MODERN PRAXIS‟s to enhance the economic
conditions of the village, where we can see the No. of tractors, Poly houses,
Drip irrigation; Sprinkler system, etc. had been in use by the villagers resulting
in an increase in cultivable land with limited water resources.

7.6.7.1.3 COMUNICATION NETWORK of ID and CHALLENGES of ED

For COMMUNICATION NETWORK see Table 7-5

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Table 7-20: CHALLENGES for Ralegan Siddhi Model

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CHALLENGES
Higher Unemployment: There is no unemployment in the village. There are thirty
youths working in different companies across Ralegan Siddhi (who resides in the
village) and other villagers are involved in different occupation within village. */**
Weight: 2.97 & Rank: 20
Load shedding: The load shedding is observed for two hours (either morning or
evening sessions) in the village. Due to regular payments of electricity bills village is
exempted from major load shedding. */**
Weight: 3.52 & Rank: 19
Animal Husbandry: Almost all families are linked with Animal Husbandry.
Increased green fodder has resulted in the increase in number and increase in
productivity of milk animals increased. Milk yields rose to 8 litres from 2 litres a
day. This has resulted in the rise in income levels for the villagers. */**/***
Weight: 12.27 & Rank: 8

Conclusions:

I. Correlation between COMMUNICATION NETWORK and „CHALLENGES‟

of ED is denied by experts‟ Opinions given in perception survey.
II. „CHALLENGES‟ is measured on the basis of Higher Unemployment (Rank:
20), Load shedding (Rank: 19) and Animal Husbandry (Rank: 8). Higher
unemployment and load shedding are indicated as negative parameters of
sustainable development and have also secured lower rank for its impact on
sustainable rural development.
III. Availability of Internet, Post office and telephone/cell phones has reduced the
unemployment increasing the job opportunities and awareness. It is evident
from the household survey that correlation between Animal Husbandry and
the Gas mains as the waste generated can be used in biogas plants. The waste
generated from Biogas plant is used as fertilizer. Animal husbandry (which is
showing positive impact and one of the top ranked parameters of challenges of
the ED) has improved in Ralegan Siddhi with availability of water and people
have opted for various breeds of animals.

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IV. There is two hour loading in the village, but this does not affect the usual
routine only extraction of water through bore wells is not possible during the
period. The load shedding scenario in Ralegan Siddhi is better than other
villages due to the regular payments of bills and the village has no defaulters
of electricity bill payments.

7.6.7.1.4 COMUNICATION NETWORK of ID and HARVESTER of ED

For COMMUNICATION NETWORK see Table 7-5

Table 7-21: HARVESTER for Ralegan Siddhi Model

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

HARVESTER – Significant

Higher percentage of Cultivators: As per census 2011, 56% of the main workers are
cultivator. This shows steady percentage of cultivators to total population but actual
numbers increased by122. #

Weight:10.9 / Rank: 13

% labour in Agriculture: As per Census 2011, 9.69% of main workers are

agricultural workers. The actual number was 109 labours in 1991 which is reduced
to 108 in 2011. Percentage labours in agriculture has come down to 9.69% in 2011
from 15.41% of 1991. #

Weight: 9.63 / Rank: 15

Conclusions:

I. Experts‟ correlation matrix shows that there is a significant correlation of

„COMMUNICATION NETWORK‟ on „HARVESTER‟ which is a parameter
of ED, which is measured on the basis of the high percentage of cultivators
(Rank: 13) and % labour in Agriculture (Rank: 15). These parameters have not
secured a position in top ten parameters for its impact on the sustainable rural
development, but the main economy and village life revolve around these
parameters.
II. Total number of cultivators in numbers, we can see that the numbers have
increased from 502 (1991) to 624 (2011) even though the percentage of

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 „Cultivators‟ with respect to „Main workers‟ have dropped down from 71.42%
(1991) to 56% (2011). The total number of agricultural labours has reduced
from 109 in 1991 to 108 in 2011 and percentage labours in agriculture has
come down to 9.69% in 2011 from 15.41% of 1991, this is a result of the
availability of the industry or company jobs for steady income for the
villagers.
III. This shows that the parameters measuring „COMMUNICATION
NETWORK‟ has played important role in the improvement of
„HARVESTER‟ in „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ of Ralegan Siddhi.

7.6.7.1.5 COMUNICATION NETWORK of ID and PROFICIENCY of ED

For COMMUNICATION NETWORK see Table 7-5

Table 7-22: PROFICIENCY in Ralegan Siddhi Model

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PROFICIENCY
% Food Crop & Yield per hectare: No. of crops has risen from one crop to two crops
in the year. The yield per hectare is also increased from 3-5 quintals to 12 quintals
per hectare, since the watershed project happened after 1975. ***
Weight: 13.21 / Rank: 5
% labour in non Agri.: 39.29% of the main workers are working in non agricultural
pursuit, which was 13.57% in 1991. # / ***
Weight: 6.81 / Rank: 17

Conclusions:

I. Perception survey indicates that the „COMMUNICATION NETWORK‟ has a

significant correlation with the „PROFICIENCY‟
II. „PROFICIENCY‟ is a measure of the ED and measured on the basis of %
Food Crop & Yield per hectare (Rank: 5) & % labour in non Agri. (Rank: 17).
Both the factors are essential for the economic development of the village.
Both the parameters show significant positive impact on sustainable rural
development.
III. The figures show that there is a significant increase in non agricultural
labours, which shows a significant increase of 25.72% since 1991. There are

369
 many families; in which one of the earning members is doing company jobs
nearby and has a significant correlation with the availability of internet,
telephone, post office, gas mains, which gave exposure to the villagers. %
Food Crop & Yield per hectare has increased from 3-5 quintals per hectare to
12 quintal per hectare and has a significant correlation with
„COMMUNICATION NETWORK‟ which gave wider connectivity for the
villagers.

7.6.7.2 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE of ID with all the components of ED

7.6.7.2.1 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE of ID and FUND MANAGEMENT of ED

For SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, see Table 7-6

For FUND MANAGEMENT, see Table 7-17

Conclusions:

I. The „SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ of ID is measured on the basis of four

parameters like Availability of Clinic (Rank: 5), Community Centre (Rank:
13), Primary School (Rank: 1) and school for Technical Courses (Rank: 10).
The Availability of School is ranked one parameter for infrastructure, this
parameter is doing very good with availability of primary, secondary and
higher secondary school in the village. The village is well known for the
schools in the surrounding regions. Recently in 2014, the Gurukul has been
started in the village with the focus of giving students from poor families the
skill sets required for small scale industries and they will be empowered to
work within the village itself. Community centre even though is the recent
addition and constructed in 2008-10, the formal meetings used to take place in
temple Sabhagruh, school buildings or open space around the temple, so the
important developments and meetings used to happen in the absence of the
community centre, so the importance ranked by experts‟, which is below the
10th rank (13th rank) is validated here by „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟. Availability
of Clinic in the form of centre of PHC in the village along with a private clinic
and the visiting doctor who offers free checkups and medicines for the
villagers has improved health issues in the village. The need of a technical
school is identified and addressed through Gurukul, also the need of ITI

370
 courses is also felt and discussed during the interview. So overall, all the
parameters of social infrastructure are leaving good impact not only in the
village but also on the surrounding villagers.
II. In perception survey, experts‟ opinions show a significant correlation between
„SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ and „FUND MANAGEMENT‟ which is
measured on the basis of Water Audits & Crop Pattern Management (Rank:
1), Appropriate Crop Pattern & Management (Rank: 2), Female Bachat Gat
(Self Help Group) (Rank: 6) and Funding Agencies (NGO‟s, INGO‟s, CSR‟s
etc.) (Rank: 12). Most of the parameters are top ranked by experts‟ for its
impact on sustainable rural development.
III. Both the components „SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ and „FUND
MANAGEMENT‟ are measured on the basis of the top ranked parameters.
The measuring parameters of „FUND MANAGEMENT‟ need „SOCIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE‟ for conducting the meetings, etc., so the correlation is
established for both the parameters in „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ of Ralegan
Siddhi.

7.6.7.2.2 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE of ID and MODERN PRAXIS of ED

For SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, see Table 7-6

For MODERN PRAXIS, see Table 7-18

Conclusions:

I. In the Perception Survey of Experts‟ Opinions there is a significant correlation

exists between „SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ which and „MODERN
PAXIS‟ of ED
II. The measuring parameters of „MODERN PRAXIS‟ like No. of Tractors
(Rank: 16), Modern Practices in Agriculture like Green House, etc. (Rank:
14), and Total Cultivable Land (Rank: 9) are showing an increasing trend over
the years in Ralegan Siddhi, this shows significant correlation with the
„SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ of ID which has resulted in awareness. So
the correlation between „MODERN PRAXIS‟ of the ED and „SOCIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE‟ of ID is validated by the „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟.

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7.6.7.2.3 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE of ID and CHALLENGES of ED

For SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, see Table 7-6

For CHALLENGES, see Table 7-19

Conclusions:

I. The perception survey of Experts‟ opinions has indicated that there is no

significant correlation between „SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ of ID and
„CHALLENGES‟ of ED.
II. The parameters like Load Shedding (Rank: 19), Higher Unemployment (Rank:
20) and Animal Husbandry (Rank: 8) are measures of „Challenges‟, where
first two are considered as negative parameters, whereas Animal Husbandry is
identified as a positive and important parameter of economic development.
Higher Unemployment is addressed by an increase in skill sets by means of
availability of school till 12th standard in the village, whereas ethical
behaviour emphasised during village meetings held in Sabhagruh have
inculcated payments of electricity bills which has resulted in the minimum
load shedding in the village. Animal Husbandry has gained momentum with
establishment of Yadavbaba milk production co-op. Society in the village, is
an outcome of social infrastructure of the village. So the correlation between
SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE and the „CHALLENGES‟ is validated by
„Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ of Ralegan Siddhi.

7.6.7.2.4 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE of ID and HARVESTER of ED

For SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, see Table 7-6

For HARVESTER, see Table 7-20

Conclusions:

I. Perception Survey has validated the correlation between „SOCIAL

INFRASTRUCTURE‟ and „HARVESTER‟ of ED.
II. The „HARVESTER‟ which is the measure of ED is measured on the basis of
Higher percentage of Cultivators (Rank: 13) and % labour in Agriculture
(Rank: 15) has shown a significant impact on Availability of Primary school,

372
 Clinic and Community centre in Ralegan Siddhi to validate the Experts‟
opinions on the same.

7.6.7.2.5 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE of ID and PROFICIENCY of ED

For SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, see Table 7-6

For PROFICIENCY, see Table 7-21

Conclusions:

I. „SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ which is the measure of ID established a

significant correlation with „PROFICIENCY‟ of ED as per the perception
survey.
II. „PROFICIENCY‟ which is measured on the basis of % Food Crop & Yield
per hectare (Rank: 5) & % labour in non Agri. (Rank: 17) shows a significant
correlation with the SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE which is measured on the
basis of availability of Primary school, clinic, community center in Ralegan
Siddhi as the overall productivity of the entire village is increased through
agriculture as well as non agriculture occupation. The major decisions on how
to achieve this was taken by the villagers in the Gram Sabha meetings
conducted at Yadav Baba temple Sabhagruh. So this correlation is validated
by „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ for Ralegan Siddhi.

7.6.7.3 WATER & SANITATION of ID with all the components of ED

7.6.7.3.1 WATER & SANITATION of ID and FUND MANAGEMENT of ED

For WATER & SANITATION, see Table 7-7

For FUND MANAGEMENT, see Table 7-17

Conclusions:

I. The perception survey of Experts‟ Opinions shows that „WATER &

SANITATION‟ of ID shows significant correlation with FUND
MANAGEMENT of ED.
II. The measuring parameters of „WATER & SANITATION‟ like Rainwater
Harvesting (Rank: 3), and Availability of Sanitation (Rank: 4) & Availability

373
 of water (Rank: 2) are top ranked infrastructure for its positive impact on
sustainable rural development by the Experts.
III. The „FUND MANAGEMENT‟ which is measured on the basis of Water
Audits & Crop Pattern Management (Rank: 1), Appropriate Crop Pattern &
Management (Rank: 2), Female Bachat Gat (SHG) (Rank: 6), Funding
Agencies (NGO‟s, INGO‟s, CSR‟s, etc,)( Rank: 12), most of these parameters
were established after implementation of „WATER & SANITATION‟
parameters in the village and has shown tremendous improvement with time.
So the correlation is this is validated for the „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ of
Ralegan Siddhi.

7.6.7.3.2 WATER & SANITATION of ID and MODERN PRAXIS of ED

For WATER & SANITATION, see Table 7-7

For MODERN PRAXIS, see Table 7-18

Conclusions:

I. Perception survey of Experts‟ Opinions shows that a significant correlation

exists between „WATER & SANITATION‟ of ID and „MODERN PRAXIS‟
of ED.
II. The accepted correlation between „WATER & SANITATION‟ and
„MODERN PRAXIS‟ of the ED is validated by „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ of
Ralegan Siddhi, which shows the attempt by various farmers to opt for modern
practices like the use of Tractors, Poly houses, Drip irrigation etc., with the
Availability of water at door step through watershed and also from the waste
water percolation through soak pit.

7.6.7.3.3 WATER & SANITATION of ID and CHALLENGES of ED

For WATER & SANITATION, see Table 7-7

For CHALLENGES, see Table 7-19

Conclusions:

I. Perception Survey of Experts‟ Opinions shows that there is no correlation

between „WATER & SANITATION‟ and „CHALLENGES‟ of ED.

374
 II. „WATER & SANITATION‟ shows negative correlation with parameters like
Higher Unemployment (Rank: 20), Load shedding (Rank: 19), which has
reduced over the years and positive correlation with Animal Husbandry (Rank:
8), which has increased with the availability of water as well as sanitation
where the waste from both was used for biogas plants. So there is negative as
well as positive correlations are established between „WATER &
SANITATION‟ and „CHALLENGES‟ for different parameters.

7.6.7.3.4 WATER & SANITATION of ID and HARVESTER of ED

For WATER & SANITATION, see Table 7-7

For HARVESTER, see Table 7-20

Conclusions:

I. Perception survey shows that is a significant correlation between „WATER &

SANITATION‟ of ID with „HARVESTER‟ of ED.
II. The opinion given in perception survey for correlation between „WATER &
SANITATION‟ and „HARVESTER‟ which is measured on the basis of
Higher percentage of Cultivators (Rank: 13) and % of labour in agriculture
(Rank: 15), this correlation is validated by „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ in Ralegan
Siddhi, as the work done for the parameters like rainwater harvesting,
availability of water and availability of sanitation has actually help people
cultivating more land resulting in increased number of cultivators as well as
the number of people in agricultural occupation over the years.

7.6.7.3.5 WATER & SANITATION of ID and PROFICIENCY of ED

For WATER & SANITATION, see Table 7-7

For HARVESTER, see Table 7-21

Conclusions:

I. As per Experts‟ Opinions on bivariate analysis shows that „WATER &

SANITATION‟ which is a measure of ID has a significant correlation with the
„PROFICIENCY‟ of ED.

375
 II. „PROFICIENCY‟, which is measured on the basis of % Food Crop & Yield
per hectare (Rank: 5) and % labour in non Agri. (Rank: 17), In Ralegan
Siddhi, this correlation is established as the Availability of WATER &
SANITATION which has increased the yield per hectare (mainly people are
taking food crops, vegetables and fruits) as well as due to Availability of
school till 12th standard has resulted in the increase in awareness and different
skill sets to increase the number of people working in non – agricultural
pursuits.

7.6.7.4 IMPORTED MATERIALS of ID with all the components of ED

7.6.7.4.1 IMPORTED MATERIALS of ID and FUND MANAGEMENT of ED

For IMPORTED MATERIALS, see Table 7-8

For FUND MANAGEMENT, see Table 7-17

Conclusions:

I. As per Experts‟ Opinions, „IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ are measured on the

basis of parameters like Construction of house with Non - locally available
material (within country) (Rank: 19) for its neutral impact on sustainability
and Imported Materials used in Construction (From Other countries) (Rank:
20) for its negative impact on sustainability. Both the parameters even though
play a major role in terms of architecture shows very low impact on
sustainable rural development as per perception survey of experts‟ opinions.
II. Perception survey of experts‟ Opinions show that there is no correlation
between „IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ of ID and „FUND MANAGEMENT‟ of
ED.
III. The Correlation between „IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ and „FUND
MANAGEMENT‟ of ED has not been authenticated by the perception survey
outcomes. But, the improvement seen in the parameters measuring „FUND
MANAGEMENT‟ has seen utilisation of funds for the construction of modern
looking buildings. Appropriate Crop Pattern & Management (Rank: 2) and
Water Audits & Crop Pattern Management (Rank: 1) also results in the
improvement in the economic status of the villagers which has resulted in the
improvised living conditions (many cases replacing traditional houses with

376
 new RCC/Cement concrete/9”thick external skin buildings) showing
correlation with „IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ within the country. So, the
correlation is validated in „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ of Ralegan Siddhi.

7.6.7.4.2 IMPORTED MATERIALS of ID and MODERN PRAXIS of ED

For IMPORTED MATERIALS, see Table 7-8

For MODERN PRAXIS, see Table 7-18

Conclusions:

I. Perception Survey of Experts‟ Opinions shows a significant correlation

between, „IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ and „MODERN PRAXIS‟ of ED.
II. „IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ shows significant correlation with No. of
Tractors (Rank: 16), Modern Practices in Agriculture like Green House etc.
(Rank: 14) & Total Cultivable Land (Rank: 9). The increase in modern
practices led to the increase in the use of imported materials available within
the country in Ralegan Siddhi.

7.6.7.4.3 IMPORTED MATERIALS of ID and CHALLENGES of ED

For IMPORTED MATERIALS, see Table 7-8

For CHALLENGES, see Table 7-19

Conclusions:

I. Perception survey shows that there is no correlation between „IMPORTED

MATERIALS‟ of ID and „CHALLENGES‟ of ED.
II. Even though the correlation is rejected by the experts, it is evident in Ralegan
Siddhi that a reduction in the impact of negative parameters like
unemployment (Rank: 20) and load shedding (Rank: 19) and increase in the
positive impact of animal husbandry (Rank: 8), which are measures of
„CHALLENGES‟ of ED has actually facilitated villagers to opt for using
newer materials in the construction of buildings. These materials are mostly
easily available in the market. So the correlation is validated by „Ralegan
Siddhi Model‟ for „IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ and „CHALLENGES‟ in
Ralegan Siddhi.

377
7.6.7.4.4 IMPORTED MATERIALS of ID and HARVESTER of ED

For IMPORTED MATERIALS, see Table 7-8

For HARVESTER, see Table 7-20

Conclusions:

I. As per Experts‟ Opinions on Bivariate analysis, it shows that „IMPORTED

MATERIALS which is a measure of ID has a significant correlation with the
„HARVESTER‟ which is a measure of ED.
II. „HARVESTER‟ is measured on the basis of Higher percentage of Cultivators
(Rank: 13) and % labour in Agriculture (Rank: 15), In Ralegan Siddhi, the
parameters have improved the agriculture productivity to improve economic
conditions of the villagers giving them choices for opting for different
building materials in the construction of buildings for the material of their
choice, which has resulted in the construction with imported materials
establishing the correlation in Ralegan Siddhi.

7.6.7.4.5 IMPORTED MATERIALS of ID and PROFICIENCY of ED

For IMPORTED MATERIALS, see Table 7-8

For PROFICIENCY, see Table 7-21

Conclusions:

I. Perception survey OF EXPERTS‟ OPINIONS shows that there is a significant

correlation between „IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ which is a measure of ID
and „PROFICIENCY‟ which is a measure of the ED.
II. „PROFICIENCY‟ which is measured on the basis of % Food Crop & Yield
per hectare (Rank: 5) and % labour in non Agri. (Rank: 17). In Ralegan
Siddhi, this correlation is established as IMPORTED MATERIALS has a
resulted outcome of improvised economic condition of the village due to
increase in the yield per hectare as well as the number of people in non –
agricultural pursuit also increased over the years.

378
7.6.7.5 Final observed Correlations between the Components of ID and ED for
‘Ralegan Siddhi Model’ of Ralegan Siddhi.

Table 7-23: Observed correlation matrix for the ID and the ED components

Infrastructure Development

&
Communication

Infrastructure

Sanitation

Materials
Imported
Network

Social

Water
Fund
Economic Development

Management PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:NP/NuP

Modern Praxis PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:NP/NuP

Challenges NC:NP NC:NP NC:NP NC:NP/NuP

Harvester PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:NP/NuP

Proficiency PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:NP/NuP

PC: Positive correlation; PP: Positive Parameter, NP: Negative Parameter, NuP:
Neutral Parameter; NC: Negative Correlation

Conclusion:

Table 7-23 shows that there is a correlation between all the components of ID with all
the components of ED

7.6.8 Infrastructure Development (ID) & Social Development (SoD)

7.6.8.1 COMMUNICATION NETWORK of ID with all the components of SoD

7.6.8.1.1 COMMUNICATION NETWORK of ID and SOCIAL HEALTH of SoD

For COMMUNICATION NETWORK, see Table 7-5

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Table 7-24: SOCIAL HEALTH in Ralegan Siddhi Model

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
SOCIAL HEALTH
Types of Crimes (Serious): The village is free from serious crimes; still there is a
case of suicide, admitted in an interview some 10-12 years back but since then there
are no records of serious crime.* / **
Weight: 4.56 / Rank: 20
Diseases & Epidemics (existence): Diseases like gastrointestinal diseases, guinea
worm and malaria were common before the development took place, but now viral
fevers, common colds, malaria and diarrhoea are common especially during the rainy
Season.
Weight: 6.14 / Rank: 15
Crime Rate (presence of Crime): The latest figures show that there are 14 police
cases registered for family quarrels in the last couple of years, but before that all the
matters use to resolve in front of Anna.**
Weight: 5.77 / Rank: 17
Caste Discrimination: Special efforts had been taken to eliminate the caste
discrimination within the village, villagers have given free voluntary labour for
constructing the houses around the temple and now there is no caste discrimination
within the village.*/***
Weight: 5.68 / Rank: 18
More School Drop outs: There was 80% of the retention ratio in 2007 but now there
are no school drop outs.*/**
Weight: 5.83 / Rank: 16
Higher Infant Mortality Rate: The latest figures available shows infant mortality rate
of 27.42 in 2007 as compare to 40 of India.
Weight: 6.86 / Rank: 14

Conclusions:

I. The „COMMUNICATION NETWORK‟ is measured on the basis of

parameters like Availability of Internet (Rank: 15), Availability - Gas mains
(Rank: 17), Availability of Telephone/Cell Phones (Rank: 14), Availability -

380
 Post Office (Rank: 18) and Availability of school for Courses on Agriculture
(Rank: 7). These parameters have received lower ranks for its impact on
sustainable rural development as per perception survey for experts‟ opinions.
II. SOCIAL HEALTH is measured on the basis of Diseases & Epidemics
(existence) (Rank: 15), Crime Rate (presence of Crime) (Rank: 17), Caste
Discrimination – no caste discrimination (Rank: 18), More School Dropouts
(Rank: 16) and Higher Infant Mortality Rate (Rank: 14) – there are no school
drop outs & Types of Crimes (Serious).
III. Even though Perception survey does not show any association between
COMMUNICATION NETWORK and SOCIAL HEALTH, in Ralegan
Siddhi, there is tremendous improvement in SOCIAL HEALTH with the
reduction in Diseases & Epidemics (existence), Crime Rate (presence of
Crime), Caste Discrimination – no caste discrimination, More School
Dropouts and Higher Infant Mortality Rate – there are no school drop outs, &
Types of Crimes (Serious). So the negative association is seen in
COMMUNICATION NETWORK and SOCIAL HEALTH in „Ralegan Siddhi
Model‟ of Ralegan Siddhi.

7.6.8.1.2 COMMUNICATION NETWORK of ID and ASPIRATIONS of SoD

For COMMUNICATION NETWORK, see Table 7-5

Table 7-25: ASPIRATIONS for Ralegan Siddhi Model

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
ASPIRATIONS
Aspiration of a child to settle down (Outside the Village): In the household survey
conducted, 43% children answered they want to settle down in cities while 36% said
location of posting (Army), whereas only 21% children show willingness to stay in
the village.*
Weight: 9.97 / Rank: 11
Aspiration of a child for occupation (Other than Agriculture or Agro based
products): Only 7% children said they want to peruse Agriculture as their
profession, rest wants them to choose other careers (43% replied Army as a career,
whereas 43% said Job and 7% chose Teaching).*
Weight: 10.17 / Rank:12

381
Aspiration of Parents for child‟s occupation in future (Other than Agriculture or
Agro based products): Only 13% parents want their child to select agriculture as
his/her occupation, the rest of them wants other careers for them other than
agriculture and allied industries (31% parents said they want their kids to pursue
army as a career).*
Weight: 10.7 / Rank: 10
Aspiration of Parents for child to settle down in future (Outside the Village) : Only
20% parents express their willingness for their child to stay in the village (53%
answered city).*
Weight: 9.85 / Rank: 9

Conclusions:

I. „Aspirations‟ is measured on the basis of the parameters like Aspiration of a

child to settle down (Outside the Village) (Rank: 11), Aspiration of a child for
occupation (Other than Agriculture or Agro based products) ((Rank: 12),
Aspiration of Parents for child‟s occupation in future (Other than Agriculture
or Agro based products) (Rank: 10), Aspiration of Parents for child to settle
down in future (Outside the Village) (Rank: 9). Most of the parameters are
ranked below tenth position. Except „Aspiration of Parents for child‟s
occupation in the future (Other than Agriculture or Agro based products)‟
which is rated for its neutral impact on sustainable rural development all the
measuring parameters are rated for its negative impact (very low) on
sustainable rural development.
II. In Perception Survey, experts‟ indicated that there is no correlation between
COMMUNICATION NETWORK and ASPIRATIONS of SoD.
III. This perception is not validated by „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ as we can see that
presence of COMMUNICATION NETWORK has resulted in the increase in
aspirations in parents as well children, inspiring them to move out of the
village, which is evident from the fact that, only 21% children wants to stay in
the village, whereas 43% answered they would like to move to cities and 36%
said that they would like to migrate to the locations of their posting
(considering Army as their career). Also, only 7% children said they want to

382
 pursue Agriculture as their career while 43% said they want to join the army
and 43% answered they was to do the Job in the city.
IV. For Occupation, 13% parents said that they would like to see their children
working in agriculture sector, while 31% said they would want to see their
child, opting for the army as a career, whereas 44% parents answered that they
want their children to undertake jobs in the cities for their livelihood. To
answer the question of where should children settle down in the future, only
20% parents said they want their children to should settle down in the village
while 53% parents specifically answered they would want their child to settle
down in the Cities. 20% parents said that it will depend on the job
requirement.
V. So, the correlation is validated between COMMUNICATION NETWORK
and ASPIRATIONS in „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ of Ralegan Siddhi.

7.6.8.1.3 COMMUNICATION NETWORK of ID and FEMALE EMPOWERMENT

of SoD

For COMMUNICATION NETWORK, see Table 7-5

Table 7-26: FEMALE EMPOWERMENT in Ralegan Siddhi Model

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
FEMALE EMPOWERMENT
Less Male Female literacy Gap: The literacy gap is 10.68% which is less than the
national average of 17.67%. Most of the population know how to read and write in
Marathi. */**/***/#
Weight: 13.05 & Rank:8
Female Literacy rate: female literacy in Ralegan Siddhi is 80.14% which is more that
the national average 58.8% #
Weight: 15.79 & Rank:3
Ban on liquor, cigarettes, etc.: The A ban on liquor was discussed, agreed and oath
was taken in the temple. Villagers who use to consume alcohol were punished by
tying to a pole for a day to make him feel the shame. During the informal talks
villagers admitted that few people still consume alcohol but not openly. */***
Weight: 14.76 & Rank: 5

383
Conclusions:

I. Experts‟ Opinions show that there is no correlation between

COMMUNICATION NETWORK and „FEMALE EMPOWERMENT‟ of
SoD.
II. The „FEMALE EMPOWERMENT‟ is measured on the basis of less male
female literacy gap (Rank: 8), Female literacy rate (Rank: 3) & Ban on liquor
(Rank: 5), which are top ranked parameters of the SoD. These parameters have
improvised over the years in Ralegan Siddhi and now the literacy gap is
10.68%, which is less than the national average, female literacy in Ralegan
Siddhi is 80.14%, which is more that the national average and both of these
parameters are resulting in a strict ban on liquor, cigarette, etc., in the village.
The measuring parameters of Communication Network like „availability of
Internet, post office, telephone/cell phones and gas mains‟ have also helped
in achieving Female Empowerment as it eases the life.
III. So, the correlation is validated by „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ of Ralegan Siddhi.

7.6.8.1.4 COMMUNICATION NETWORK of ID and ENHANCEMENT of SoD

For COMMUNICATION NETWORK, see Table 7-5

Table 7-27: ENHANCEMENT for Ralegan Siddhi Model

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
ENHANCEMENT
Higher Female participation Rate in Decision making in family matters: As per
household survey, 26% women answered that they take all the decisions on family
matters, whereas 29.14% answered husband and wife together take the decision
while 19.42% women answered all family members together take the decisions*
Weight: 16.15 / Rank: 1
Higher Life expectancy: India‟s life expectancy is 66.21 years, but in Ralegan
Siddhi, from the primary data it is evident that out of 30 households 16 households
were having elders with the age more than 60 out of which 7 were above 75. *
Weight: 13.35 / Rank: 7

384
Conclusions:

I. Experts „correlation matrix shows that there is no correlation between

„ENHANCEMENT‟ which is measured on the basis of Higher Female
participation Rate in Decision making in family matters (Rank: 1) & Higher
Life expectancy (Rank: 7) of social development (both rated for their positive
impact on SRD) and „COMMUNICATION NETWORK‟.
II. In Ralegan Siddhi, there is an improvement in the social status of women than
the previous, even though they are not straight away into full-fledged decision
making in the village, but for family matters 74.56% times there is
involvement of the women in decision making in some way or the other. Even
though Women are not much aware of using the internet, the availability of
LPG gas, post office and availability of telephones/cell phones have helped
them improvising on their status.
III. „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ validated the correlation between
„COMMUNICATION NETWORK‟ and „ENHANCEMENT ‟

7.6.8.1.5 COMMUNICATION NETWORK of ID and POPULACE of SoD

For COMMUNICATION NETWORK, see Table 7-5

Table 7-28: POPULACE in Ralegan Siddhi Model

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
POPULACE
Lower Rate of Growth of Population: Ralegan Siddhi has seen population growth of
59 persons (2011) in 10 years since 2001. The out migration is also happening for
further education and jobs. * / *** / #

Weight: 14.62 / Rank: 6

In Migration: There are 50 families migrated from other villages to Ralegan Siddhi.
Most of the families are migrated for good educational facility available in the
village. Reverse migration was also seen in the village during the initial days. * / ***
Weight: 10.31 / Rank:10

385
Conclusions:

I. „COMMUNICATION NETWORK‟ has a significant correlation with

„POPULACE‟ which is one of the measures of the SoD
II. „POPULACE‟ is measured on the basis of Lower Rate of Growth of
Population (Rank: 6) and In-migration (Reverse migration) (Rank: 10), It is
evident from the figures that there is an increase of only 59 people since 2001.
There are 300-400 people who are staying away for various reasons like jobs,
education, etc., and also 50 families have migrated to Ralegan Siddhi (in-
migration is rated for its negative impact on SRD by the experts) due to safe
and secured life and availability of education for children till the 12 th standard
within the village. Many Lower caste families have returned back to the
village after watershed projects. Availability of internet, telephone, post office
and gas mains of COMMUNICATION NETWORK shows correlation with
the POPULACE.

7.6.8.2 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE of ID with all the components of SoD

7.6.8.2.1 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE of ID and SOCIAL HEALTH of SoD

For SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, see Table 7-6

For SOCIAL HEALTH, see Table 7-23

Conclusions:

I. The „SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ of ID has measured on the basis of four

parameters like Availability of Clinic (Rank: 5), Community Centre (Rank:
13), Primary School (Rank: 1) and school for Technical Courses (Rank: 10).
All these parameters are contributing to the overall development of the village
and rated for its positive impact on the SRD.
II. The perception survey indicates that the „SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ has
a significant negative correlation with the „SOCIAL HEALTH‟ of the SoD.
III. Which means presences of „SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ reduces the
impact of parameters measuring „SOCIAL HEALTH‟ on SRD. This is evident
in Ralegan Siddhi as the „SOCIAL HEALTH‟ which is measured on the basis
of Crime rate (Rank: 17), which was nil till a couple of years before in the

386
 village, there are no serious crimes reported (Rank: 20), caste discrimination
(Rank: 18), which has put to an end by the villagers helping these people to be
a part of mainstream society of the village, The school drop outs in primary
school (Rank: 16) and for secondary school are nil which was less than 20% in
2007. The Infant mortality rate (Rank: 14) is less than the national average and
Diseases & Epidemics (existence) (Rank: 15) shows that there are no major
diseases found in the village. Viral fevers, common colds, malaria and
diarrhoea are common, especially during the rainy Season. All these
parameters are rated for their negative impact on SRD and ranked below 10 th
position amongst the parameters of SoD.
IV. So, „SOCIAL HEALTH‟ is influenced by availability of social infrastructure
in the village and shows improvement in the negative parameters over the
years in the Ralegan Siddhi. So it can be concluded that „Ralegan Siddhi
Model‟ accepts the significant negative correlation between „SOCIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE‟ and „SOCIAL HEALTH‟.

7.6.8.2.2 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE of ID and ASPIRATIONS of SoD

For SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, see Table 7-6

For ASPIRATIONS, see Table 7-24

Conclusions:

I. In the Perception Survey of Experts‟ Opinions, there is no significant

correlation exists between „SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ and
„ASPIRATIONS‟ of SoD of the EI.
II. Even though the correlation is not established for „SOCIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE‟ and „ASPIRATIONS‟ of the SoD, we can see that
social infrastructure has influenced the aspirations of the villagers and their
children. Children are now determined to do jobs (93% children opted for jobs
of various kinds when asked for future occupation) than to settle down in the
village (79% expresses desire to settle in places other than the village) and
reluctant to undertake agriculture farming as an occupation. Research in
Agriculture was never opted as a future occupation by either parents or
children. Some people may consider this best for the overall economy, but if

387
 follow the same model and imagine the same situation across India, the
situation may not be in favour of rural development of agriculture occupation
which is mainly responsible for the production of food for a growing
population. So, logically we can accept the positive correlation established
between „SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ and „ASPIRATIONS‟ by „Ralegan
Siddhi Model‟. But as per experts‟ opinion, „ASPIRATIONS‟ show a negative
impact on SRD, and so considered as negative parameter.

7.6.8.2.3 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE of ID and FEMALE EMPOWERMENT of

SoD

For SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, see Table 7-6

For FEMALE EMPOWERMENT, see Table 7-25

Conclusions:

I. The perception survey has not validated the correlation between SOCIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE and „FEMALE EMPOWERMENT‟ of the SoD.
II. The „FEMALE EMPOWERMENT‟ is measured on the basis of less male
female literacy gap (Rank: 8), Female literacy rate (Rank: 3) & Ban on liquor
(Rank: 5), which are top ranked parameters of the SoD. These parameters have
improvised over the years in Ralegan Siddhi and now the literacy gap is
10.68%, which is less than the national average, female literacy in Ralegan
Siddhi is 80.14%, which is more that the national average and both of these
parameters are resulting in a strict ban on liquor, cigarette, etc., in the village.
These parameters are logically influenced by availability of SOCIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE, which is used to conduct meetings of Women‟s groups
and activities within the village. So the correlation is established by „Ralegan
Siddhi Model‟.

7.6.8.2.4 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE of ID and ENHACEMENT of SoD

For SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, see Table 7-6

For ENHANCEMENT, see Table 7-26

388
Conclusions:

I. Perception Survey has validated the correlation between „SOCIAL

INFRASTRUCTURE‟ and „ENHANCEMENT‟ of SoD.
II. „ENHANCEMENT‟ which is measured on the basis of Higher Female
participation Rate in Decision making in family matters (Rank: 1) & Higher
Life expectancy (Rank: 7), have shown a significant correlation with the
availability of Primary School, Clinic and community centre. The clinic is an
important amenity for health; Community centre is an important amenity to
conduct meetings & social interface and school is important for awareness.
Ralegan Siddhi is one of the examples of the effective implementation of
„SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ to boost the „ENHANCEMENT‟ within the
village.

7.6.8.2.5 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE of ID and POPULACE of SoD

For SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, see Table 7-6

For POPULACE, see Table 7-27

Conclusions:

I. „SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ which is the measure of ID established

significant correlation with „POPULACE‟ of the SoD as per the perception
survey.
II. „POPULACE‟ is measured on the basis of Lower Rate of Growth of
Population (Rank: 6) and In-migration (Reverse migration) (Rank: 10), It is
evident from the figures that there is an increase of only 59 people since 2001.
There are 300-400 people who are staying away for various reasons like jobs,
education, etc., and also 50 families have migrated to Ralegan Siddhi (in-
migration is rated for its negative impact on SRD by the experts) due to safe
and secured life and availability of education for children till the 12 th standard
within the village. Availability of School, clinic and community centre has
attracted people from other villages in Ralegan Siddhi whereas also inspired
villagers accept family planning restrictions. So the correlation which is
established in perception survey is validated by „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟.

389
7.6.8.3 WATER & SANITATION of ID with all the components of SoD

7.6.8.3.1 WATER & SANITATION of ID and SOCIAL HEALTH of SoD

For WATER & SANITATION, see Table 7-7

For SOCIAL HEALTH, see Table 7-23

Conclusions:

I. The measured parameters of „WATER & SANITATION‟ like Rainwater

Harvesting (Rank: 3), and Availability of Sanitation (Rank: 4) & Availability
of water (Rank: 2) are top ranked infrastructure for its positive impact on
sustainable rural development by the Experts.
II. The perception survey of Experts‟ Opinions has not accepted the correlation
for „WATER & SANITATION‟ of ID and „SOCIAL HEALTH‟ of the SoD.
III. SOCIAL HEALTH is measured on the basis of Diseases & Epidemics
(existence) (Rank: 15), Crime Rate (presence of Crime) (Rank: 17), Caste
Discrimination – no caste discrimination (Rank: 18), More School Dropouts
(Rank: 16) and Higher Infant Mortality Rate (Rank: 14) – there is no school
drop outs & Types of Crimes (Serious).
IV. But the predicted outcome of experts‟ opinions is rejected by „Ralegan Siddhi
Model‟ as the development which has started through „WATER &
SANITATION‟ has also resulted in the reduction of the impact of parameters
like Higher Infant Mortality Rate, More School Drop outs, Caste
Discrimination, Crime Rate (presence of Crime), Diseases & Epidemics
(existence) and Types of Crimes (Serious). This validates the negative
correlation amongst the components.

7.6.8.3.2 WATER & SANITATION of ID and ASPIRATIONS of SoD

For WATER & SANITATION, see Table 7-7

For ASPIRATIONS, see Table 7-24

Conclusions:

I. Perception survey of Experts‟ Opinions show that there is no correlation

between „WATER & SANITATION‟ and „ASPIRATIONS‟ of the SoD.

390
 II. The outcome was undermined in „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ which shows that
there is a significant correlation as the primary survey shows the changing
aspirations of the villagers and their children. When children were asked the
question of the preferred location to settle down in the future, 21% children
answered that they would live in the village, whereas 43% answered they
would like to move to cities and 36% said that they would like to migrate to
the locations of their posting (considering Army as their career). When the
question was asked for their future occupation, only 7% children said they
want to pursue their career in agriculture, while 43% said they want to join the
army and 43% answered they want to take up a job in the city. When the same
question was asked to parents for the preferred occupation of their children,
13% parents said that they would like to see their child working in agriculture
sector, while 31% said they would want to see their children opting for army
career, whereas 44% parents answered that they want their children to
undertake jobs in cities for their livelihood. When the same question was
asked to find out the preferred location to settle down for the children in the
future, 20% parents said they their children should settle down in the village
while 53% parents specifically answered that they would want their children
to settle down in the cities. 20% parents said that it will depend on the posting
(Army job).

7.6.8.3.3 WATER & SANITATION of ID and FEMALE EMPOWERMENT of

SoD

For WATER & SANITATION, see Table 7-7

For FEMALE EMPOWERMENT, see Table 7-25

Conclusions:

I. Perception Survey of Experts‟ Opinions shows that there is no correlation

between „WATER & SANITATION‟ and „FEMALE EMPOWERMENT‟ of
the SoD.
II. The „FEMALE EMPOWERMENT‟ is measured on the basis of less male
female literacy gap (Rank: 8), Female literacy rate (Rank: 3) & Ban on liquor
(Rank: 5), which are top ranked parameters of the SoD, validates its relation to

391
 „WATER & SANITATION‟ in „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ as Availability of
water has eased the life of women who use to walk 2.5km daily to fetch water,
this has resulted in the improvement of the women‟s status in the village.

7.6.8.3.4 WATER & SANITATION of ID and ENHANCEMENT of SoD

For WATER & SANITATION, see Table 7-7

For ENHANCEMENT, see Table 7-26

Conclusions:

I. Perception survey shows that is a significant correlation between „WATER &

SANITATION‟ of ID with „ENHANCEMENT‟ of the SoD.
II. „WATER & SANITATION‟ shows significant correlation with the
„ENHANCEMENT‟ which is measured on the basis of Higher Female
participation Rate in Decision making in family matters (Rank: 1) & Higher
Life expectancy (Rank: 7), has shown a significant correlation with the
availability of Primary School, Clinic and community centre. The clinic is an
important amenity for health; Community centre is an important amenity to
conduct meetings & social interface and school is important for awareness.
Improved life span and decision making in Ralegan Siddhi is evidence of this
correlation.

7.6.8.3.5 WATER & SANITATION of ID and POPULACE of SoD

For WATER & SANITATION, see Table 7-7

For POPULACE, see Table 7-27

Conclusions:

I. Perception survey shows a significant correlation between „WATER &

SANITATION‟ and „POPULACE‟ which is a measure of SoD,
II. „POPULACE‟ is measured on the basis of Lower Rate of Growth of
Population (Rank: 6) and In-migration (Rank: 10). Both the factors are
showing significant improvement in Ralegan Siddhi if compared with Indian
scenario. There are 50 families came and settled down in the village. The in-
migration is result of the availability of school and the better quality of life.

392
 The parameters measuring „WATER & SANITATION‟ are the most
important components to enhance the quality of life. So, the correlation is
validated by „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ in Ralegan Siddhi.

7.6.8.4 IMPORTED MATERIALS of ID with all the components of SoD

7.6.8.4.1 IMPORTED MATERIALS of ID and SOCIAL HEALTH of SoD

For IMPORTED MATERIALS, see Table 7-8

For SOCIAL HEALTH, see Table 7-23

Conclusions:

I. As per Experts‟ Opinions, „IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ are measured on the

basis of parameters like Construction of house with Non - locally available
material (within country) (Rank: 19 ) for its neutral impact on sustainability
and Imported Materials used in Construction (From Other countries) (Rank:
20) for its negative impact on sustainability. Both the parameters even though
play a major role in terms of architecture shows very low impact on
sustainable rural development as per perception survey of experts‟ opinions.
II. Perception survey of Experts‟ Opinions shows that there is no correlation
between „IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ of ID and „SOCIAL HEALTH‟ of SoD.
III. Perception survey does not validate the correlation between „IMPORTED
MATERIALS‟ and „ SOCIAL HEALTH‟, from the literature survey, there are
arguments put forth to establish correlation between houses constructed with
local materials or vernacular structures and burn bricks and Infant mortality
rate and the Diseases & Epidemics (existence) (World Health Organization,
2015). Here in Ralegan Siddhi, both the parameters have shown a significant
improvement. Hence, in Ralegan Siddhi, there is a negative correlation
between „SOCIAL HEALTH‟ and „IMPORTED MATERIALS‟.

7.6.8.4.2 IMPORTED MATERIALS of ID and ASPIRATIONS of SoD

For IMPORTED MATERIALS, see Table 7-8

For ASPIRATIONS, see Table 7-24

393
Conclusions:

I. Perception Survey of Experts‟ Opinions shows no significant correlation

between, „IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ and „ASPIRATIONS‟ of SoD.
II. In Ralegan Siddhi increasing use of „IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ is also a part
of aspirations to follow the urban trends in construction and easy availability
of the materials is also one of the reasons. So there is an association seen in
both the parameters in Ralegan Siddhi.

7.6.8.4.3 IMPORTED MATERIALS of ID and FEMALE EMPOWERMENT of

SoD

For IMPORTED MATERIALS, see Table 7-8

For FEMALE EMPOWERMENT, see Table 7-25

Conclusions:

I. Perception survey shows that there is no correlation between „IMPORTED

MATERIALS‟ of ID and „FEMALE EMPOWERMENT‟ of SoD.
II. Perception survey denies the correlation between „IMPORTED MATERIAL‟
and the „FEMALE EMPOWERMENT‟ is measured on the basis of less male
female literacy gap (Rank: 8), Female literacy rate (Rank: 3) & Ban on liquor
(Rank: 5), which are top ranked parameters of the SoD. For Ralegan Siddhi,
change in construction materials reduced the time spent in maintaining the
house (ex. Applying cow dung or mud plaster daily etc.) and now can spend
more time on their self empowerment. This is seen in the improving
parameters of „FEMALE EMPOWERMENT‟ which has also resulted in
increasing involvement in decision making on the family matters and hence
the correlation is validated for „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ in Ralegan Siddhi.

7.6.8.4.4 IMPORTED MATERIALS of ID and ENHANCEMENT of SoD

For IMPORTED MATERIALS, see Table 7-8

For ENHANCEMENT, see Table 7-26

394
Conclusions:

I. Perception Survey shows that there is no correlation established between,

„IMPORTED MATERIALS and „ENHANCEMENT‟ of SoD.
II. As per Experts‟ Opinions, „IMPORTED MATERIALS shows no significant
correlation with the „ENHANCEMENT‟ which is a measure of Social
Development and measured on the basis of Higher Female participation Rate
in Decision making in family matters (Rank: 1) and Higher Life expectancy
(Rank: 7). The improvement in the parameters measuring „EHANCEMENT‟,
and also change in the use of materials for building construction happened
simultaneously to establish the association.

7.6.8.4.5 IMPORTED MATERIALS of ID and POPULACE of SoD

For IMPORTED MATERIALS, see Table 7-8

For POPULACE, see Table 7-27

Conclusions:

I. Perception survey shows that the correlation dose not exists for „IMPORTED
MATERIALS‟ of ID and „POPULACE‟ of the SoD.
II. „POPULACE‟ is a measure of the social development, which is measured on
the basis of Lower Rate of Growth of Population (Rank: 6) and In-migration
(Rank: 10). Even though In-Migration is rated for the negative impact on
SRD, both the factors are showing significant changes in Ralegan Siddhi when
compared with the Indian scenario at national level, where the population
growth rate is high and villages are witnessing out migrations. There are fifty
new families came and settled in the village. These phenomena are an
outcome of exposure of villagers with the outside world, resulting in making
use of the available choices. The use of „Imported materials‟ can also be
influenced by these factors, showing the correlation amongst the components.

395
7.6.9 Final observed correlations between the components of ID and SoD
for ‘Ralegan Siddhi Model’ of Ralegan Siddhi
Table 7-29: Observed correlation matrix for the ID and the SoD components.
Infrastructure Development

&
Communication

Infrastructure

Sanitation

Materials
Imported
Network

Social

Water
Social Health NC:PP NC:PP NC:PP NC:NP/NuP
Development

Aspirations PC:NP PC:NP PC:NP PC:NP/NuP

Economic

Female Empowerment PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:NP/NuP

Enhancement PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:NP/NuP
Populace PC:PP/NP PC:PP/NP PC:PP/NP PC:NP/NuP
PC: Positive correlation; PP: Positive Parameter, NP: Negative Parameter, NuP:
Neutral Parameter; NC: Negative Correlation

Conclusions:
Table 7-29 shows that there is correlation between all the components of ID and SoD.

7.6.10 Infrastructure Development (ID) & Environmental Issues (EI)

7.6.10.1 COMMUNICATION NETWORK of ID with all components of EI

7.6.10.1.1 COMMUNICATION NETWORK of ID and RESORCE MANAGEMENT

of EI

For COMMUNICATION NETWORK, see Table 7-5

Table 7-30: RESOURCE MANAGEMENT in Ralegan Siddhi Model

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Availability of Wastewater treatment: The wastewater generated from kitchens is
generally taken to the backyards or soak pits. The waste water coming from high
school has this facility of water treatment to reuse the same for watering the plants of
the school premise. *
Weight: 12.61 / Rank: 9
Soil conservation: The methods employed for watershed management are also
helpful to preserve land from erosion. The soil is not only protected, but the allowed

396
formation of mulch to increase the quality of soil for the purpose of farming.*
Weight: 14.41 / Rank: 4
Garbage collection & treatment: The internal village areas are clean, but due to the
increasing number of visitors in the village also lead to increase in plastic wastes
which seems to be collecting along the roads or inaccessible areas.*
Weight: 12.58 / Rank: 11
Rainwater Harvesting & underground water recharge : There is a huge work done
under watershed management programme and every drop of water is harvested and
used for ground water recharge.*/**/***/#
Weight: 14.68 / Rank: 1
Diversifying Crop pattern: All the techniques essential for good production is
employed in the village. Villagers are aware of the fact that this will pattern
increases the yield.*/#
Weight: 13.06 / Rank: 6

Conclusions:

I. The „COMMUNICATION NETWORK‟ is measured on the basis of

parameters like Availability of Internet (Rank: 15), Availability - Gas mains
(Rank: 17), Availability of Telephone/Cell Phones (Rank: 14), Availability -
Post Office (Rank: 18) and Availability of school for Courses on Agriculture
(Rank: 7).These parameters have received lower ranks for its impact on
sustainable rural development as per perception survey for experts‟ opinions.
II. The „RESOURCE MANAGEMENT‟ of the EI is measured from the top
ranked parameters like Soil Conservation ( Rank: 4), Diversifying crop
pattern (Rank: 6) and Rainwater Harvesting & underground water recharge
(Rank: 1), along with the Availability of Wastewater treatment (Rank: 9),
Garbage collection & treatment (Rank: 11) amongst the parameters of the
environmental issues. All these parameters are rated for their positive
contribution to the SRD.
III. Perception Survey of experts‟ opinion shows that there is no correlation
between COMMUNICATION NETWORK and RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT.

397
IV. In Ralegan Siddhi, Availability of Wastewater treatment, Garbage collection
& treatment of RESOURCE MANAGEMENT is responsible for the
Availability - Gas mains of COMMUNICATION NETWORK. Whereas Soil
Conservation, Diversifying crop pattern and Rainwater harvesting &
underground water recharge of RESOURCE MANAGEMENT seen the
positive impact due to the availability of Internet, telephone and post office of
COMMUNICATION NETWORK.
V. This shows that the correlation is established by „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ of
Ralegan Siddhi.

7.6.10.1.2 COMMUNICATION NETWORK of ID and DETERRENT PRACTICES

of EI

For COMMUNICATION NETWORK, see Table 7-5

Table 7-31: DETERRENT PRACTICES in Ralegan Siddhi Model

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE
DETERRENT PRACTICES
Use of chemical fertilizers: Use of chemical fertilizers is increased by 10 times after
watershed management programme. ***/# All farmers use chemical fertilizers, but wherever
possible they use organic fertilizers. *
Weight4.21 / Rank: 19
Use of chemical Pesticide: Use of Chemical is increased by 6.68 times after watershed
management programme. ***/# All farmers use chemical Pesticides as it is needed for crops
like Onion, but wherever possible they use organic pesticides. *
Weight: 4.26 / Rank: 18
% of Water Intensive Cash crops: Water intensive crops are not allowed in the village, but in
some cases villagers are allowed to take such crops on a limited land with availability of
water. Wastage of water is not permitted in the village and is consider as a punishable
offense. */***
Weight: 7.11 / Rank: 15
Bore well for irrigation: 10 (gaothan) and 65 (farmland) Bore well are there in the village and
used to extract water for required need. But now villagers have decided not to dig the bore-
wells in future (few villagers express their unhappiness with the decision during informal
talks). *
Weight: 6.94 / Rank: 16

398
Conclusions:

I. Perception survey indicated that experts‟ opinions deny the correlation

between the COMMUNICATION NETWORK and the DETERRENT
PRACTICES of the EI.
II. The DETERRENT PRACTICES which include use of Chemical Fertilisers
(Rank: 19), Chemical pesticides (Rank: 18), Water intensive crops (Rank: 15)
is used in limited quantity in Ralegan Siddhi, but the use has increased with
the development, while Bore wells (Rank: 16) are quite extensively used in the
entire village and there are varied opinions about digging more bore wells in
the village even though digging of bore wells are restricted in the village.
Experts‟ opinions show neutral rating with a slightly positive inclination for %
of Water Intensive Cash crops & Bore well for irrigation and low negative
rating for Use of Chemical Pesticide & Use of Chemical Fertilizers, for its
impact on the SRD.
III. The Deterrent Practices seem to be affected by the exposure villagers got
through the availability of „Communication network‟ which is measured on
the basis of the availability of Internet, Telephone, Post office and Gas mains.
IV. There is a significant correlation of between COMMUNICATION
NETWORK and DETERRENT PRACTICES in „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ of
Ralegan Siddhi

7.6.10.1.3 COMMUNICATION NETWORK of ID and RESTRICTIONS of EI

For COMMUNICATION NETWORK, see Table 7-5

Table 7-32: RESTRICTIONS for Ralegan Siddhi Model

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE

RESTRICTIONS

Ban on Grazing: This decision was taken by the villagers during the four restrictions
accepted by the village. This has not only protected plantations done and farms, but
also reduced the quarrels. Green fodder was produced on grassland to feed
animals.*/***

Weight: 10.63 & Rank: 14

399
Sterilization (Nasbandi): Family planning: Villagers have agreed to family planning.
But during the initial days, families who only had girl children were allowed for
more children for male child. **/***

Weight: 11.03 & Rank: 12

Conclusions:

I. Experts‟ Opinions show that there is no correlation between

COMMUNICATION NETWORK and „RESTRICTIONS‟ of EI.
II. The „RESTRICTIONS‟ is measured on the basis of Ban on Grazing (Rank:
14) and sterilization (Nasbandi) Family planning (Rank: 12), are rated for its
positive impact on the SRD.
III. The decisions on „RESTRICTIONS‟ were taken by Gram Sabha and followed
by villagers in case of Ralegan Siddhi. There is no logical reasoning to
establish relationships between COMMUNICATION NETWORK and
RESTRICTIONS, as availability of communication network was not
established when the decisions were taken, but association of both the events
can be seen in „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ of Ralegan Sidhhi.

7.6.10.1.4 COMMUNICATION NETWORK of ID and GREEN COVER of EI

For COMMUNICATION NETWORK, see Table 7-5

Table 7-33: GREEN COVER for Ralegan Siddhi Model

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE
GREEN COVER - Non Significant
% of land under forest: 19.77% land of Ralegan Siddhi is under forest and nearly 4
lakh trees are planted from 1975 under different schemes and initiatives. The trees
planted under such schemes are mostly local species like Subhabhul, Neem, Palas,
Bans, Sagwan, Sisal, Pipal, Amla , etc. ***
Weight: 10.61 / Rank: 13
Availability % of Irrigated Land: The total land under irrigation is 72.37% of the
total land, which was 5% in 1972 which shows a total increase of 67.37%. The
watershed programme has increased availability of water to increase irrigated land
for the village.#
Weight: 13.01 / Rank: 7

400
Conclusions:

I. Perception survey on experts‟ opinions show that there is no significant

correlation between „COMMUNICATION NETWORK‟ and „GREEN
COVER‟ which is measured on the basis of % of land under forest (Rank:
13) & Availability % of Irrigated Land (Rank: 7) which are rated for its
positive impact on the SRD.
II. The parameters measuring „GREEN COVER‟ shows tremendous
improvement as stated since 1975, 4 lakh trees are planted in Ralegan Siddhi
whereas irrigated land has increased from 5% in 1975 to 72.37% by 2011.
This is possible because of availability of communication network in the
village, which has easily connected village to the outside world. This shows a
significant correlation between „COMMUNICATION NETWORK‟ and
„GREEN COVER‟ for „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟.

7.6.10.1.5 COMMUNICATION NETWORK of ID and VACANT LAND of EI

For COMMUNICATION NETWORK, see Table 7-5

Table 7-34: VACANT LAND for Ralegan Siddhi Model

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE
VACANT LAND
% of Barren & Waste Land: The Waste land has reduced from 241 of 1972 ha to
36.66 ha by 2011.
Weight: 5.49 / Rank: 17
Village cleanliness: This is a primary duty of the school children to clean the village
every week. One can notice collection of plastic wrappers along the road and on the
barren land of the village (mostly in the outskirts) this is preliminary outcome of
visitors coming to the village to meet/see Shri. Anna Hazare. *
Weight: 14.59 / Rank: 2
Higher Rate of deforestation: Rate of deforestation is Nil in Ralegan Siddhi; on the
contrary the area under forest has increased over the years. */***
Weight:2.87 / Rank: 20

401
Conclusions:

I. Perception survey of the experts‟ opinions deny the correlation between

„COMMUNICATION NETWORK‟ and „VACANT LAND‟ of the EI.
„VACANT LAND‟ which is measured on the basis of the % of Barren &
Waste Land (Rank: 17), Village cleanliness (Rank: 2) & Higher Rate of
deforestation (Rank: 20), where % of Barren & Waste Land and Higher Rate
of deforestation are rated for its negative impact on the SRD whereas Village
cleanliness is rated for its higher positive impact on the SRD.
II. At Ralegan Siddhi, we can see that % of Barren & Waste Land has decreased
over the years, whereas „Higher Rate of deforestation‟ is NIL. Village
cleanliness – which is maintained by villagers by involving school children‟s
(weekly). So even though the direct correlation cannot be predicted between
the two components but there is a association is seen in „COMMUNICATION
NETWORK‟ and „VACANT LAND‟
III. SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE of ID with all the components of EI.

SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE of ID and RESORCE MANAGEMENT of EI

For SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, see Table 7-6

For RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, see Table 7-29

Conclusions:

I. The „SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ of ID is measured on the basis of four

parameters like Availability of Clinic (Rank: 5), Community Centre (Rank:
13), Primary School (Rank: 1) and school for Technical Courses (Rank: 10).
All these parameters are contributing to the overall development of the village
and rated for its positive impact on the SRD.
II. The „RESOURCE MANAGEMENT‟ of EI is measured from the top ranked
parameters like Soil Conservation,( Rank: 4) Diversifying crop pattern (Rank:
6) and Rainwater Harvesting & underground water recharge (Rank: 1), along
with the Availability of Wastewater treatment (Rank: 9), Garbage collection &
treatment (Rank: 11) amongst the parameters of the environmental issues. All
these parameters are rated for their positive contribution to the SRD.

402
III. Perception survey of Experts opinions shows that „SOCIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE‟ significant correlation with „RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT‟ of EI.
IV. The „RESOURCE Management‟ is measured on the basis of Availability of
Waste water treatment, which exists in the village school and the treated water
is reused for watering the plants of the school premises. Household waste
water is connected to soak pits. Soil conservation, Rainwater Harvesting &
underground water recharge & Diversifying Crop pattern is what Ralegan
Siddhi is known for, these initiatives were decided in the Gram Sabhas, so the
availability of amenities provide a conducive atmosphere for the same. So the
significant correlation is accepted by „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ of Ralegan
Siddhi.

7.6.10.1.6 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE of ID and DETERRENT PRACTICES of

EI

For SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, see Table 7-6

For DETERRENT PRACTICES, see Table 7-30

Conclusions:

I. In the Perception Survey of Experts‟ Opinions, no significant correlation

exists between „SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ and „DETERRENT
PRACTICES of the EI.
II. The DETERRENT PRACTICES which includes use of Chemical Fertilisers,
Chemical pesticides, (which are rated for its negative impact in the SRD by
the experts) are increased with the availability of social infrastructure. Bore
wells (rated for its neutral but slightly positive impact on the SRD by the
experts) are quite extensively used in the entire village, recently the excavation
of new bore-wells are prohibited in the village (even though some villagers
think that the prohibition should be removed), Water intensive crops (rated for
its neutral but slightly positive impact on the SRD by the experts) are also
restricted in the village. All these decisions are taken in the social
infrastructure available in the village. So, this correlation is evident for
Ralegan Siddhi.

403
7.6.10.1.7 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE of ID and RESTRICTIONS of EI

For SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, see Table 7-6

For RESTRICTIONS, see Table 7-31

Conclusions:

I. The perception survey of Experts‟ opinions has indicated that there is no

significant correlation between „SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ of ID and
„RESTRICTIONS‟ of the EI.
II. The correlation between SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE and
„RESTRICTIONS‟ of EI which is measured on the basis of Ban on Grazing
and Sterilization (Nasbandi) i.e. Family planning is not accepted by Experts‟
opinions. The need for restrictions were felt and discussed by the villagers
during the Gram Sabha. Once the decision was taken, villagers had taken a
pledge to follow the same in the temple. This shows the impact of availability
of Social infrastructure. So the correlation is validated by „Ralegan Siddhi
Model‟.

7.6.10.1.8 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE of ID and GREEN COVER of EI

For SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, see Table 7-6

For GREEN COVER, see Table 7-32

Conclusions:

I. Perception Survey has validated the correlation between „SOCIAL

INFRASTRUCTURE‟ of ID and „GREEN COVER‟ of the EI.
II. „GREEN COVER‟ which is measured on the basis of % of land under forest
& Availability % of Irrigated Land, are showing an increasing trend in
Ralegan Siddhi and shows dependency on „SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟,
as the majority of the decisions were taken in the Gram Sabha meetings
happened in the Yadav Baba temple Sabhagruh.

7.6.10.1.9 SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE of ID and VACANT LAND of EI

For SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE, see Table 7-6

404
For VACANT LAND, see Table 7-33

Conclusions:

I. „SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ which is the measure of ID established no

correlation with „VACANT LAND‟ of EI as per the perception survey.
II. Experts‟ Opinions show that „VACANT LAND‟ which is measured on the
basis of which is measured on the basis of the % of Barren & Waste Land-
decreasing over the years, Higher Rate of deforestation – which is NIL in
Ralegan Siddhi and is the outcome of conscious efforts taken by the village
using the available infrastructure of the village. Village cleanliness – which is
maintained by villagers by involving school children‟s (weekly). So, even
though the correlation is not established in the perception survey, a significant
correlation for „SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE‟ and „VACANT LAND‟ is
accepted by „Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ in Ralegan Siddhi.

7.6.10.2 WATER & SANITATION of ID with all components of EI

7.6.10.2.1 WATER & SANITATION of ID and RESORCE MANAGEMENT of EI

For WATER & SANITATION see table number 7.7

For RESOURCE MANAGEMENT see table number 7.29

Conclusions:

I. Perception survey of experts‟ opinions shows a significant correlation between

„WATER & SANITATION‟ and „RESOURCE MANAGEMENT‟.
II. The correlation established in perception survey for „WATER &
SANITATION‟ and „RESOURCE MANAGEMENT‟ of EI is validated by
„Ralegan Siddhi Model‟ as the „WATER & SANITATION‟ parameters have
resulted in the plantation of more trees, soil conservation, waste water
treatment, garbage collection, rain water harvesting & ground water recharge
and diversifying crop pattern which are a measure of „RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT‟.

7.6.10.2.2 WATER & SANITATION of ID and DETERRENT PRACTICES of EI

For WATER & SANITATION see table number 7.7

405
For DETERRENT PRACTICES see table number 7.30

Conclusions:

I. Perception survey of Experts‟ Opinions show that a significant correlation

exists between „WATER & SANITATION‟ of ID and „DETERRENT
PRACTICES of EI.
II. „DETERRENT PRACTICES of environmental issues show significant
correlation with the WATER & SANITATION, which means increase in
„WATER & SANITATION‟, will increase the „DETERRENT PRACTICES
which is measured on the basis of Use of chemical fertilizers, Use of chemical
pesticides (rated for negative impact on SRD), % of Water Intensive Cash
crops and Bore well for irrigation (rated for neutral impact with positive
inclination for SRD). This is also evident from the practices adopted in
Ralegan Siddhi, which clearly shows increase in the use of Chemical
fertilizers and chemical pesticides in farming after the watershed program.
Even though the use of water intensive cash crops is controlled through
regulation but the number of Bore wells shows that village is extracting
ground water for the farming. The new bore wells are restricted in the village.
This shows significant correlation amongst the components for „Ralegan
Siddhi Model‟.

7.6.10.2.3 WATER & SANITATION of ID and RESTRICTIONS of EI

For WATER & SANITATION, see table number 7.7

For RESTRICTIONS, see table number 7.31

Conclusions:

I. Perception Survey of Experts‟ Opinions shows that there is no correlation

between „WATER & SANITATION‟ and „RESTRICTIONS‟ of EI.
II. Similarly the correlation is validated between „WATER & SANITATION‟
and „RESTRICTIONS‟ of the EI, as the availability of water through
rainwater harvesting has resulted in the prosperity and ethical behaviour
expected by Anna Hazare. The restrictions which were accepted through the

406
 oath were again outcome of the work done under „WATER &
SANITATION‟.

7.6.10.2.4 WATER & SANITATION of ID and GREEN COVER of EI

For WATER & SANITATION, see table number 7.7

For GREEN COVER, see table number 7.32

Conclusions:

I. As per Experts‟ Opinions, „WATER & SANITATION‟ show a significant

impact on „GREEN COVER‟ of EI.
II. „GREEN COVER‟ which is measured on the basis of % of land under forest &
Availability % of Irrigated Land has shown significant improvement over the
year in Ralegan Siddhi. Four lakh trees are planted due to availability of water
over the year; also the percentage of land under irrigation has increased with
the availability of water showing significant correlation between the two
components.

7.6.10.2.5 WATER & SANITATION of ID and VACANT LAND of EI

For WATER & SANITATION, see table number 7.7

For VACANT LAND, see table number 7.33

Conclusions:

I. Perception survey of experts opinions shows that there is no significant

correlation between „WATER & SANITATION‟ of ID and „VACANT
LAND‟ of EI.
II. Even though in Ralegan Siddhi there is significant impact of WATER &
SANITATION on % of Barren & Waste Land and Higher Rate of
deforestation which has reduced after availability of WATER &
SANITATION, which has resulted in the village cleanliness as well. So there
is negative correlation (with few parameters) between „WATER &
SANITATION‟ & „VACANT LAND‟.

407
7.6.10.3 IMPORTED MATERIALS of ID with all the components of EI

7.6.10.3.1 IMPORTED MATERIALS of ID and RESORCE MANAGEMENT of EI

For IMPORTED MATERIALS see table number 7.8

For RESOURCE MANAGEMENT see table number 7.29

Conclusions:

I. Perception survey of Experts‟ Opinions show that there is a significant

correlation between „IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ and „RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT‟ of EI.
II. „RESOURCE MANAGEMENT‟ which is measured on the basis of
„Availability of Waste water treatment‟, „Soil conservation‟, „Garbage
collection & treatment‟, „Rainwater Harvesting & underground water
recharge‟ and „Diversifying Crop pattern‟ shows a significant negative
correlation with the „IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ as per experts opinions.
Such Negative correlation has not been established in Ralegan Siddhi as
increase in environmental conditions has actually contributed to the increased
use of imported materials for the house construction and vice-a-versa. So even
though the parameter is negative (imported materials) there is a positive
correlation between the two.

7.6.10.3.2 IMPORTED MATERIALS of ID and DETERRENT PRACTICES of EI

For IMPORTED MATERIALS see table number 7.8

For DETERRENT PRACTICES see table number 7.30

Conclusions:

I. Perception Survey of Experts‟ Opinions shows a significant correlation

between, „IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ and „DETERRENT PRACTICES‟ of
EI.
II. „IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ shows significant positive correlation with
„DETERRENT PRACTICES which is measured on the basis of „Use of
chemical fertilizers‟, „Use of chemical Pesticide‟, „% of Water Intensive Cash
crops‟ and „Bore well for irrigation‟, which are responsible for improvised

408
 economic conditions of the villagers resulted in increase in the use of
„IMPORTED MATERIALS‟.

7.6.10.3.3 IMPORTED MATERIALS of ID and RESTRICTIONS of EI

For IMPORTED MATERIALS see table number 7.8

For RESTRICTIONS see table number 7.31

Conclusions:

I. Perception survey denies the correlation between „IMPORTED

MATERIALS‟ and „RESTRICTIONS‟ of EI.
II. In Ralegan Siddhi, we can see that the measuring parameters of
„RESTRICTIONS‟ like Sterilization (Nasbandi) and Ban on Grazing have
been strictly followed by the villagers, which has inculcated the discipline
among the villagers. This has helped in equal distribution of resources
(produced, Ex. Grass). This has also guaranteed the availability of grass for
animals and also controlled the growth of population in the village. This
together has improved the village situation to influence the new growth in the
village. So the association is seen for the two components in Ralegan Siddhi.

7.6.10.3.4 IMPORTED MATERIALS of ID and GREEN COVER of EI

For IMPORTED MATERIALS see table number 7.8

For GREEN COVER see table number 7.32

Conclusions:

I. Perception Survey shows that there is no correlation established between,

„IMPORTED MATERIALS and „GREEN COVER‟ of EI.
II. As per Experts‟ Opinions, „IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ shows no significant
impact on „GREEN COVER‟ which is a measure of Environmental issues and
measured on the basis of % of land under forest & Availability % of Irrigated
Land which has shown significant improvement over the year in Ralegan
Siddhi. The change in the materials used for house construction and
technology has contributed in the increase of forest area in Ralegan Siddhi. As
earlier wood was used as various components of the houses, so the correlation

409
 between the components like „IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ and „GREEN
COVER‟ is seen in Ralegan Siddhi.

7.6.10.3.5 IMPORTED MATERIALS of ID and VACANT LAND of EI

For IMPORTED MATERIALS see table number 7.8

For VACANT LAND see table number 7.33

Conclusions:

I. Perception survey shows that there is a significant correlation between

„IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ which is measure of ID and „VACANT LAND‟
of EI.
II. Perception survey indicates that there is a significant correlation between,
„IMPORTED MATERIALS‟ and „VACANT LAND‟. This correlation is
validated in Ralegan Siddhi, as „VACANT LAND‟ which is measured on the
basis of % of Barren & Waste Land and Higher Rate of deforestation which
has reduced after increased use of IMPORTED MATERIALS, which has
resulted in the village cleanliness as well. This shows a negative correlation
between „IMPORTED MATERIALS & „VACANT LAND‟.

7.6.11 Final observed Correlations between the Components of ID and EI

for ‘Ralegan Siddhi Model’of Ralegan Siddhi

Table 7-35: Observed correlation matrix for the ID and the EI components

Infrastructure Development
&
Communication

Infrastructure

Sanitation

Materials
Imported
Network

Social

Water

Resource
Environmental Issues

Management PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:NP/NuP

Deterrent Practices PC:NP/NuP PC:NP/NuP PC:NP/NuP PC:NP/NuP

Restrictions PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:NP/NuP

Green Cover PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:NP/NuP

Vacant Land NC:PP/PP NC:PP/PP NC:PP/PP NC:NP/NuP

PC: Positive correlation; PP: Positive Parameter, NP: Negative Parameter, NuP:
Neutral Parameter; NC: Negative Correlation

410
Conclusions:
Table 7-35 shows that there is a correlation between all the components of
Infrastructure development and all the components of Environmental Issues. The
correlations shows the negative correlation established between all the components of
ID and Vacant land of EI.

7.6.12 ID & DP with ED, SoD, EI.

Table 7-36: Legend
PC Positive Significant NoC No Significant NC Negative Significant
Correlation Correlation correlation
PPC Partially Positive NuP Neutral Parameter PNC Partially Negative correlation
correlation
PP Positive Parameter NP Negative Parameter A Association
Table 7-37: ID & DP with ED, SoD and EI

Infrastructure Decentralization
&

Social Awareness

Social Behaviour
Communication

Co-Operation
Infrastructure

Opportunity
Awareness
Sanitation

Materials
Imported
Network

Social

Water

Fund
Management PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:NP/NuP PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP
Economy

Modern Praxis PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:NP/NuP PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP

Challenges NC:NP NC:NP NC:NP NC:NP/NuP NC:NP NC:NP NC:NP NC:NP

Harvester PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:NP/NuP PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP

Proficiency PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:NP/NuP PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP

Social Health NC:PP NC:PP NC:PP NC:NP/NuP NC:NP NC:NP NC:NP NC:NP

Aspirations PC:NP PC:NP PC:NP PC:NP/NuP PC:NP PC:NP PC:NP PC:NP

Female
Social

Empowerment PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:NP/NuP PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP

Enhancement PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:NP/NuP PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP

PC:PP/N PC:PP/NP PC:PP/NP PC:PP/N PC:PP/NP

Populace PC:PP/NP PC:PP/NP P PC:NP/NuP P

Resource
Management PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:NP/NuP PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP

Deterrent PC:NP/Nu PC:NP/N PC:NP/Nu PC:NP/Nu PC:NP/N PC:NP/NuP

Environment

Practices P PC:NP/NuP uP PC:NP/NuP P P uP

Restrictions PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:NP/NuP PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP

Green Cover PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:NP/NuP PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP PC:PP

NC:PP/P NC:PP/PP NC:PP/PP NC:PP/P NC:PP/PP

Vacant Land NC:PP/PP NC:PP/PP P NC:NP/NuP P

411
Conclusions:

Table 7-37 shows that in Ralegan Siddhi all the components of ID show logical
correlation with All the components of DP, ED, EI and SoD and so the correlation
between DP with ED, EI and SoD is also seen. The table is analysed on the basis of
simple association of the components and its existence/impact in the village.

7.7 Hypothesis Testing

Hypothesis is REJECTED for following correlations

DP has a significant correlation with of ID,

ID has a significant correlation with SoD, ED, EI.

So the Hypothesis „Community Participation has failed to achieve sustainable rural

development goals in India‟ is REJECTED for all the correlations for Ralegan Siddhi
Model.

7.8 Architectural Observations:

When architectural survey was conducted village seems to be attracted towards the
new technology used in urban areas with 9” thick external walls. Ralegan Siddhi
being situated in hot and arid climate zone of the country is expose to heat fir most of
the time of the year and so the thick external skin of the building which is commonly
seen in vernacular structures is one of the best solutions for the energy efficient
buildings.

412
7.8.1 Traditional Vernacular structures at Ralegan Siddhi,

Photo 7-59: Typical Vernacular Structure at Ralegan Siddhi

Almost 30% of the structures in the village are still traditional vernacular
structures but most of them are not maintained well and at the verge of the collapse.
Villagers aspire to have a new RCC structure which has secured a status of an
economic stability in the village. Typically structures were constructed out of stone
with random rubble masonry on three sides and ashlar masonry for the front facade;
Photo below shows the typical elevation followed by most of the structures.
Photo 7-60: Typical Wall detail of vernacular structures in the village

413
The external skin of the entire structure is kept thick (not less than 18” thick wall),
with mud (which is considered as a thermal barrier) mortar, and plaster. Typically
many walls have Mud sandwiched between internal and external layers of stone.
Photo below shows a typical feature of the wall.

Typically the roof was constructed using wood and mud called as „khan‟ or „dhaba‟ in
local language. The roof is constructed using primary, secondary and tertiary joints to
support wooden planks. The wooden planks then support the mud layer above. This
layer is mostly finished with cement screed or tiles etc.

Photo 7-61: Typical details of the ceiling and the roof of vernacular structures in the village

414
Following sketch shows a sectional view of the roof details.

Photo 7-62: Typical Sectional View of the ceiling and the roof of vernacular structures in the village

The entire roof is supported by walls on four sides and wooden post at
intermediate levels. Typically the internal walls are plastered with mud plaster and
finished with cow dung plaster, but now a day villagers have replaced it with sanla.
The typical mud floor is also replaced by Shahabad stone or ceramic tiles, marble
mosaic, etc.

Photo 7-63: Photo shows the typical internal spaces within the structure

415
7.8.2 Alterations in traditional roofing:
Photo 7-64: Alternative details for traditional ceilings

In the photograph below, the battens are added above the tertiary joist or
purlin to support wooden planks to give extra support. Groves are used to finish and
enhance the aesthetics of the ceiling. The same roof was again retrofitted by adding
brackets to strengthen the joints between the main and secondary rafters and the
vertical wooden posts. This modification is done after Bhuj earthquake of 2001,
which killed more than 20,000 people.

Photo 7-65: Wooden Members replaced by Steel members and Shahabad stone.

416
In some structures these I sections are then concealed with cement concrete.

Photo 7-66: Wooden Members replaced by Steel members and Shahabad stone. In some structures I
sections are embedded in Concrete.

Unavailability of wooden members have further modified the roof. The

wooden members are replaced by rolled steel and Shahabad stone floor. The primary
wooden joists are replaced by I-sections and Secondary wooden joists are replaced by
T-sections, thus eliminating the need of the tertiary joists. The Shahabad flooring tiles
are then laid on the flange of the T-sections. The mud layer is then laid on to the top
of Shahabad stone floor tiles.

The next alteration is mud layer replaced by layer of concrete above Shahabad
stone flooring, which is visible in the balcony in the photograph below. The main roof
is also completely replaced by the tin sheet roof above.

Photo 7-67: In Some structure Mud layer above Shahabad stone is replaced by Cement screed.

417
7.8.3 Facade treatment:

One of the structures which are on the verge of dilapidation is an example of

how people use to decorate the front facade of the structure. Here five different
patterns of ashlar masonry are seen along with two patterns of brickwork at the top.
Photo 7-68: In Some structure Mud layer above Shahabad stone is replaced by Cement screed.

7.8.4 Maintenance - an issue:

Most of the vernacular structures are victim of negligence in maintaining the

structure. This has reduced the life of the structures which otherwise lasts for
hundreds of years.

Photo 7-69: Non Maintenance is major issue in Vernacular structures.

7.8.5 Retrofitted structure at Ralegan Siddhi:

After the Bhuj earthquake, many structures were retrofitted; the structure in
the photograph is also retrofitted after the earthquake. The uppermost portion of the

418
house was replaced by a continuous band for all the walls of the building. Four RCC
bands were inserted into the wall as a through stone.

Photo 7-70: Retrofitting done for earthquake measures in Vernacular structures.

7.8.6 New Trends:

The new trends are seen in the construction across the village. The first new
trend which is seen in the village is 9” thick external skin (Wall) instead of 18” to 24”
thick external skin (wall) and also 4” thick slab with exposed concrete slab instead of
mud layer which provides good thermal insulation. For most of the structures,
traditional roofs were replaced by tin sheet roofing on the top. Galvanized Iron (GI)
sheet roofs provide bad thermal insulation inside the house as it heats fast and then
heats the internal air in the room. The other popularly used material is Asbestos
Cement (AC) sheets as a roofing material. Asbestos is identified as a harmful material
and banned from many developed countries, but the unawareness and easy availability
has made the material popular in rural areas.

The photograph below shows the popularity of the new trends in construction
as the first floor of the old vernacular structure is constructed in 9” thick external wall
with tin sheet roof above, which is not a good construction technology for hot and arid
climate of the village.

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Photo 7-71: New Trends in Construction at Ralegan siddhi

Some structures are only half modified, with mud flooring replaced by
Shahabad flooring. During the informal talks, the lady in the house has expressed a
need to demolish the house to construct the new RCC house (with 9” thick
brickwork). When question was asked about the natural comfort, she said the
maintenance of the new house will be much less than the existing house and the
discomfort could be taken care of by using electrical equipments.

Photo 7-72: Replacing the old Mud floor with Shahabad Stone, planning to
replace mud plaster soon.

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The photograph below shows the structures with tin sheet roofing.

Photo 7-73: Adoption of Tin sheets (G. I. Sheets) is a common for new building
in the village.

The below photograph shows both old and new structures of the roofs;
Photo 7-74: New and old structures.

The structure below is typically a temporary structure visible in the village, although
they are very few remaining in the village. The walls are constructed in uncoursed
rubble masonry with maximum mud used in the construction of the wall. The walls
are covered with mud plaster on internal and external sides.

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Photo 7-75: In the roofing Thatch is covered by G. I. Sheets to protect it from
direct exposure from weather.

The photograph shoes the load bearing structure with 9” thick external wall and 4”
thick RCC slab on top. When the owner asked about the plaster confess that they are
run out of funds and so stopped the construction halfway through.

Photo 7-76: 9” thick external envelop is a new trend in construction

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Photo 7-77: Both the 9” thick external envelop: one with plaster and one without.

Old structure with new construction (9” thick external wall) on the first floor with tin
sheet roof is shown in this below photograph.
Photo 7-78: Alterations.

Photo 7-79: A.C. Sheets as a roofing material are also commonly seen in the
village.

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Tin sheets are provided above the cattle shed to protect cattle from the harsh weather
conditions, but the sheets itself generate heat in sunny days.

Photo 7-80: Cattle Sheds with G. I. Sheet covering

In most of the cases, two separate pits are excavated for toilet disposal so that if one is
filled the other one could be used.
Photo 7-81: Toilet with private privy.

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Map 7-11: Typical Toilet with Sewage disposal detail.

The Village can be acknowledged for its internal cleanliness but the overall
beautification of the village is still not identified as an important part of the village.
All the empty sites or plots around the vasties and gaothan are not maintained
properly.
Photo 7-82: Non Maintained open spaces between the
houses

The following two photographs show different spots within the gaothan area, which
are not maintained and seems like, left over spaces make village seem shabby in
appearance.

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Photo 7-83: Non Maintained open areas in the village - 1

Photo 7-84: Non Maintained open areas in the village - 2

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7.9 Areas of Concern:

1. There are several areas of concern in the village; including social and
economic, like out-migration has increased with availability of education;
agriculture and research in agriculture is still not a priority expressed by young
villagers; dependency on Anna is much more and Anna‟s efforts to empower
the villagers in decision making has seems to be failing, as the system of
addressing difference of opinions without involving Anna has not yet been
established in the village.
2. In the last stage of research, during the last visit, villagers expressed their
concern about the lowering water level in the village and lack of water during
summer season. Even though the village is known for water conservation, rain
water harvesting at house level to secure availability of water for summer
season is not done in the village.
3. There is no well drafted village map for improving the internal roads and well
maintained open spaces/open areas/open plots.
4. The advantages of traditional vernacular structures are not understood to use it
in newly coming modern structures (9” external skin)
5. All the open areas within the residential colonies, whether owned by Gram
panchayat or Private Owners are not maintained.

7.10 Conclusions:

1. Anna is a motivational and a guiding force behind the entire development in

Ralegan Siddhi, the villagers responded to the moral leadership of Shri. Anna
Hazare.
2. The model of working with internal committees and cooperative societies for
implementation and maintenance of work is turned out to be good practise in
Ralegan Siddhi
3. Ralegan Siddhi being located in drought prone zone located in hot and arid
zone of the state and country, watershed programme is identified as basic
necessity and force behind the entire development in the village.
4. Social fencing has helped the village to achieve economical, environmental
and social harmony which is otherwise a tedious job.

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5. The model has started with a decentralized initiative but eventually deep faith
in Anna has made villagers depend on him for every decision and
development in the village. Anna‟s word and suggestion has taken as a
command in the village, making it again a top-down model at village level. It
worked well in Ralegan Siddhi because of moral and honest leadership of
Shri. Anna Hazare.
6. The model is an experiential model, based on different experiments tried and
tested in the village. Many experiments succeeded but at the same time many
failed, but the development has happened as the succeeded projects taken
ahead.
7. Anna took guidance from many Social workers, Government officials and
scientists in the upliftment process of the village
8. Equitable access to water and Water is a national wealth and not an
individual‟s asset, is a concept which is strongly implemented in the village.
9. Community first is the other concept imbibed through the community
participation and hence benefit to the society was given a priority in the
development.
10. Community bio-gas plants are even though very sustainable, the experiment
failed as it failed to achieve positive consensus within the villagers.
11. Many community toilets are made redundant as many villagers have
constructed their own private toilets now.
12. Women in Ralegan Siddhi are still not very active in politics and village level
decision making, but the encouragement has made them economically stable,
enhancing their social and personal life.
13. Change in aspirations is needed to be addressed through some motivational
programmes and more income generating options need to be identified and
developed at the village level.
14. Young generation which are failing to follow the social fencing need to be
motivated to follow the restrictions for the betterment of the village.
15. Architectural parameters like beautification of the village, maintenance, use of
technology, architectural measure like orientation of building, form of
building, external facades of the building, external skin of the building,
regulations for the future development are missing in the village.

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7.11 Summary:

In this chapter, Ralegan Siddhi, a model of rural development is discussed and

analysed for its current status. The primary survey conducted in the village is
discussed for its main findings. The entire village is also discussed for all the
indicators and parameters identified for the research for its own conclusions. The
hypothesis is once again tested for Ralegan Siddhi. The area of concerns and the
architectural attributes are discussed in detail. The next chapter covers the major
conclusions and the required recommendations in detail.

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