A written plan for a developed village

Identify children who have left school. Families, schools and the panchayat should work together to bring them back to learning.

Regularly review whether children can read, write and understand mathematics, alongside school buildings. Provide extra learning support where needed.

Provide books, a quiet reading space, internet and resources for competitive examinations.

Run regular, practical classes for schoolchildren and young people.

Provide information and application help in the village for scholarships, college admission, training institutions and transport.

Collect waste regularly from homes and shops. Establish lasting arrangements for separation, composting and proper disposal. Keep empty spaces from becoming dumping grounds.

Help shopkeepers, craftspeople and service providers with better market spaces, promotion and an online presence.

Follow up on teacher shortages. Prepare a written improvement plan with the school for its library, laboratory, sports equipment and learning standards.

Ask young people about their interests and bring training in computers, repairs, agricultural equipment, tourism and other useful work.

Monitor available health-centre services, medicines and regular check-ups. Have a clear arrangement to get seriously ill patients to a larger hospital in time.

Support women’s groups beyond their formation: arrange product training, packaging and routes to sales.

Enable farmers to sort, pack, store and sell produce together. Help establish groups or cooperatives for direct contact with buyers.

Work on milk collection, veterinary care, fodder information and arrangements to sell products.

Record how many young people need work or training. Connect them with training institutions and employers, and publish the results every few months.

Document village history, old places, folk arts and the knowledge of elders, so the next generation knows its heritage and local people find opportunities.

Organise festivals and cultural programmes with space for local artists, shopkeepers and women’s groups.

Provide information about schemes, help with applications and easy access to public places.

Plan ground maintenance, sports equipment, regular coaching and competitions for girls and boys, beyond the promise of an empty field.

Display at the panchayat building and on the website how much money each project received, who was assigned the work, its deadline and current status. Let people ask questions directly at the gram sabha.