As per Mahatma Gandhi’s vision and direction of our honorable Prime Minister Modi Ji, on building self-reliant Bharat through building self-reliant villages, â€˜70@70’ program was formally launched.  eKisaan foundation, GIBV, and organizations including Jaipur Foot USA, Computer Society of India, Edufront, Friends of MP, India Global, True Tesla Technologies and ATREE, have joined hands together to adopt 70 villages to make them self-reliant villages.   

70 villages are adopted to commemorate PM Modi Ji’s 70th Birthday. These villages will follow the comprehensive WHEELS framework.  WHEELS represent, W – Water for all, H – Health for all, E - Education for all, E- Clean Energy for all, L – Land (Agri) and Housing, and S- Skills development and Employment generation. Mr. Pramit Maakoday explained the Wheels framework and mentioned that In the first phase the focus would be on smart education, smart health, smart agriculture and clean energy, with a special emphasis on making them accessible, affordable and scalable. The objective of this program is to educate, engage, and empower our farmers, along with implementing programs in PPP mode.  

This program “70@70” was launched by Union Cabinet Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development and Minister of Food Processing Industries Honorable Shri Narendra Singh Tomar. On this occasion Hon. Min Mr. Tomar mentioned that India is a country of villages and to have Aatma-Nirbhar (Self-reliant) Bharat, its essential that our villages become Aatma-Nirbhar (Self-reliant).  And this program would also inspire neighboring villages to move towards becoming Self-reliant.  He commended the team on taking this program to make a difference at the grass root level, and this would also inspire others.  Initiatives like this builds stronger bonds with the Indian diaspora and villages in India.  He also mentioned recent agriculture reforms would help empower farmers.  This would help people in the villages to take advantage of technology and processes. He assured that his ministry will support this project fully at Center and in any state of India.   

Senior IAS Officer Mr. Ajit Kesari principal secretary Agriculture of M.P. also appreciated the usefulness of these programs for farmers welfare and agriculture ecosystem. 

Core team for this ‘70@70’ program include Pramit Maakoday, Kanchan Bannerjee, Jyoti Bhowraskar, Sanjeev Tripathi, Srikanta Bhaskara and Manoj Sisodia. 

Mr. Prem Bhandari the President of Jaipur Foot USA and the Principal Advisor for this program mentioned that in all these villages disabled people will get the artificial limbs. Mr. Satish Jha, the Principal Advisor for the education initiatives, explained the importance of education for all and how the digital education will level the playing field for the village kids and find the frontiers of their dreams. Computer Society of India President Prof. RK Vyas pledged the support of hundreds of volunteers for 70@70.  Dr. Kamal Bawa world renowned environmentalist from ATREE mentioned that this program helps in increasing farmers income and preserving Bio Diversity. 

Not only in India but few of the villages will be developed with the comprehensive WHEELS framework outside of India, in Nepal and West Africa. 

The program was presided by Kanchan Banerjee and note of thanks was extended by Srikanta Bhaskara.  

eKisaan foundation, is a registered not-for-profit organization based in India. eKisaan Foundation’s vision is to educate, engage and empower farmers.  It believes that empowered farmers lead to progressive economy.

Global Indians for Bharat Vikas (GIBV) is a not-for-profit organization based in Boston and its mission includes establishing network of volunteers from around the world in organic development of villages and rural ecosystem in India.

Tesla Technologies is a Technology Company having innovations including hydropower and waste to energy plants. Tesla Technologies will bring health and educational- programs, clean water technology and innovative fertilizing systems. 

Indo-US health Initiatives (IUHI) is registered social impact organization based in Boston and its mission is to bring newer technologies, world-class experts, and financial resources to make healthcare for masses affordable, accessible, and reliable. IUHI has a special focus on the Indian rural ecosystem and integrative medicine.

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