Raipur, 01 February 2022. On the completion of 75 years of the country’s independence, to keep Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of ‘Gram-Swaraj’ intact, service-gram is being established in Nava-Raipur of Chhattisgarh on the lines of Wardha. The values, principles, ideals of the freedom struggle of the country will also be outlined in the service village. MP Shri Rahul Gandhi will lay the foundation stone of this service village in a program organized at Science College Raipur on 03rd February.
According to the dreams of Mahatma Gandhi, arrangements will be made for the training of all types of artisans to strengthen the rural economy and to realize the dream of self-reliant village in the service village to be built in Nava Raipur. This project will give inspiration to remember and learn Gandhi-philosophy. Along with this, the memories of the freedom movement and the national history will also be kept alive through this.
75 acres of land has been identified for the service village to be built in Nava-Raipur. It will be developed as a rural environment. A glimpse of the traditional rural building style of Chhattisgarh will be seen in Sewa Gram. Locally available materials will be used in the construction works. The roads here will also be in line with the rural environment. The entire area will be full of greenery till the service village. The whole atmosphere of the ashram will provide inner peace.
The construction of Seva-Gram will be done using natural materials like clay, lime, stone. Centers of Gandhian principles, rural arts and crafts will be developed in Sevagram, where guidance will be given by visiting subject experts. Along with promoting the folk arts of Chhattisgarh, old age homes and schools for the underprivileged will also be established there. Giving second home to the elderly and ideological exchange will be facilitated. There will also be a visitors center and a center to remember Gandhi’s principles.
Special arts and crafts of Chhattisgarh will also be seen in Sewa Gram. Various works here in Bastar, Raigad and other districts will be decorated with various artistic objects using bell metal, iron, terracotta, stone, cloth and bamboo. In fact, Sevagram will be a place where visitors can learn about local arts and crafts, local cuisine. You can share your information and experiences. Seva Gram will also have an open theatre, where cultural programs will be organized. This will boost tourism opportunities.
It is noteworthy that behind this project is Sevagram located in Wardha, Maharashtra, which was established in the year 1936 as the residence of Mahatma Gandhi and his consort Kasturba, so that from there they could lead the freedom movement in Central India. This Wardha institution was also the center of reconstruction of rural India according to the dreams of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhiji believed that village reform was the only option to permanently improve the conditions of India.
According to the intention of the Chief Minister Shri Bhupesh Baghel, it has been conceptualized to make Gandhi Seva Gram in Nava Raipur on the lines of Wardha to take Gandhian principles and rules to the people in Chhattisgarh. He believes that by connecting the new generation with Gandhian ideology, the energy of the youth can be used in a positive direction. This center will become a medium to acquaint the youth of the country with Gandhi philosophy. Here youth will be specially linked to collective activities and works, so that youth can participate in society and country building as well as participate in cleanliness, gram sabha and employment-oriented education.
Shri Baghel also believes that it is necessary to work on how Gandhiji’s concept of ‘Gram Swaraj’ is linked with economic freedom at present. For this, youth will have to be associated with employment oriented activities. For this, he has made a strategy to connect the members of Rajiv Gandhi Yuva Mitan Club started in Chhattisgarh with Gandhi Seva Gram. Under this strategy, youths across the country will be taken to Gandhi Seva Gram.
