Learn from the success stories
It is always better to learn from successes. Studying exemplary cases of rural self-determination such as the Akshaya project in Malappuram district of Kerala, Warana project in Maharashtra, Bhoomi project in Karnataka, etc., can provide inspiration and guidelines for rural India. These projects can be cited as demonstrations of how communities, industries, the private sector and government can work collaboratively to reverse the trend of rural decline through outstanding regional leadership (and) community driven initiatives.

Form community leadership teams
Encourage the emergence of regional leaders from industry, business and community groups, through support for leadership development programs. Effective facilitation of regional economic development requires local leaders with the qualities of commitment, energy and initiative, and skills such as negotiation and collaboration.

Strategic Vision & thinking
Recognize regional diversity as a crucial differentiating factor, and develop an economic vision based on natural strengths. Use this vision to focus community efforts, e.g., towards securing specific infrastructure resources and IT awareness. To minimize costs and to address the problem of rural IT penetration practically use new technologies such as WLL, wireless cum wired technology (developed by C-DOT), radio systems, switching systems of varied capacity (integrated with under-ground cables) medium capacity satellite systems, Wi-Fi, etc., and all

Raise awareness
Inform industry and business groups about e-commerce issues through local media campaigns, forums, presentations and meetings. Showcase examples of successful incorporation of Internet technologies into the business strategies of rural and regional enterprises. Highlight the information resources available from government.

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* Contributed by -
Lijo Isac,
MBA (FT), Batch of 2006,
Faculty Of Management Studies,
Delhi University, Delhi.