This is a story of a village in Jharkhand.
As water scarcity forces many urban residents to rely on tanker dole, a village around 35km southeast of Jamshedpur enjoys piped drinking water 24/7 thanks mainly to self-help.
All 1,617 residents of over 300 households of Durku village in Kuldiha panchayat, Potka block, get safe tap water to drink.
Each of the over 300 households in the agrarian revenue village comprising two tolas (hamlets) Durku and Bondih contributes Rs 30 every month or Re 1 per day, whichever is more convenient.
Such efforts can be initiated elsewhere too. And for this there is no need to wait for government help. The only need is tht of someone taking the lead. We often hear of NGOs working for village development. Here is a classic example of how some NGO or some philanthropist can also take the lead and help the villagers. The initial investment need to be made and then the local body formed to take over and meet the recurring expenses which can come from contributions from users.
Read more of this excellent story by Animesh Bisoee in The Telegraph. The media should highlight such stories so that others come to know how things can be improved with self-help.
