Gurgaon, India, September 07, 2007 –It is rightly said “one ounce of practice is worth tons of theory.” Socially inclusive growth through rural transformation can only take place if the grassroots people take the lead.  To accomplish this grassroots movement –“The Mission 2007: Every Village a knowledge centre” is formed. Mission 2007 aims to convert the provision made under the Bharat Nirman Program for knowledge connectivity in rural India into reality by 2007 which marks the 60th Anniversary of our Independence

The Knowledge Revolution envisaged under Bharat Nirman will enhance human productivity and creativity in all its dimensions. This is why achieving the goal of Mission 2007 is important for achieving what Mahatma Gandhi emphasized- Purna Swaraj (The complete freedom).

Saheed Ahmad from the Sehgal Foundation was selected this year to participate in Mission 2007, and be a part of the 5th convocation of NVA (National Virtual Academy for Rural Prosperity) Fellowship program held in Delhi from 30th August to -3rd September, 2007. The event was hosted by the Chair for Sustainable Development”, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).

Saheed Ahmed is a ‘Village Champion (VC)’ of the Sehgal Foundation working in Mewat district of Haryana.  He is trained in and responsible for the grassroots implementation of the Foundation’s model - “Integrated Sustainable Village Development (ISVD)” in Karheda village. A farmer by profession, Saheed understands the root cause of the problems in the village. He strives to educate villagers to adopt better ways of agriculture and contribute towards the development through the ISVD programs.  The ISVD programs include Water Harvesting, Income Enhancement, Rural Health, Family Life Education and Alternative Energy.

He is skillful in mobilizing the community and encouraging people to participate in the program of the Foundation. Saheed conducts monthly meetings with villagers to understand their problems and thereby set his next milestone.  He believes in empowering the communities by educating the villagers on various initiatives of the government and the Foundation.

Saheed Ahmad, was enthusiastic after attending the five day workshop which exposed him to a lot of new learning. “The theme of Mission 2007 i.e. Every Village a Knowledge Centre and taking ICT’s (Information and Communication Technologies) to every Indian village made great sense and is the need of the day,” said the VC.

As a NVA Fellow he learnt the water management techniques, animal rearing, pest control and crop improvement techniques. He also learnt new farming techniques, which can yield good results if put to use effectively.

Saheed Ahmad said, “Mission 2007 is an apt platform for affecting change in rural India and I hope to put all my experiences to the fullest use in the betterment of the village and optimally contribute to the goals of the Foundation.”

For further information please contact:

The Sehgal Foundation:
Ms. Pooja O. Murada,
289, Sector 17A,
Gurgaon, Haryana-122001, India