Under the guidance of Dr. S.M. Akhtar, we have formulated a research cell called UVCT (Urban Village Charitable Trust).
The think tank comprises of Emeritus Academic Dr. S.M. Akhtar and Emeritus Academic - Prof Rajat Ray. It is supported by Dr. Anurag Verma, Dr. Binu Tom, Dr. Manish Chalana, Ar Raghvendra Bisen, Dr. Vishakha Kawathekar, Dr. Sonal Mittal, Dr. Vaishali Prasad Latkar,
Dr. Tarush Chandra, Dr. Nisar Khan, Dr. Gauri Kotnis Shiurkar, Prof. Divay Gupta, Dr. Manju Baisoya Pundir, and Prof. Anand Khatri as its academic resource.
The village/rural-center is the backbone of the Indian economy and less effort has been made to help them become Liveable. They contribute around 46% of the country's net domestic product and employ 70% of the total workforce. While it is very critical to increasing farmer incomes, it is even more important to improve the conditions of living so that they sustain themselves in the present age. Appropriate measures might help the discontented urban population to seek shelter in rural areas that offer a better environment and safer life. While there is a need to work in our Villages, there is an imperative need to work on Urban Villages engulfed within development authorities and discarded because of lack of understanding. They are surrounded by Development Authority Areas. The UVs are cordoned off and face immense pressure from all sides. With over-construction and chaos, they also carry the load of the functions of the city that the DAs reject eg. carwashing, warehousing, repairs, easy-stays for students, affordable chawls for migrant workers, drivers, housemaids, and small industries.
The program has four focus areas :
RURAL DEVELOPMENT, SLUMS, AABADI
and
URBAN VILLAGES caught within the development
( Villages, Urban Villages, Slums, Villages with Heritage, all in a penumbra of development )
We seek your support.
~ Anand Khatri
