It is often said that India lives in her villages. India’s prosperity depends on the prosperity of her villages and hence the concept of smart villages- Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (Prime Minister Model Village) and Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (Member of Parliament Model Village) and Mukhya Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana ( Chief Minister Model Village).

The vision of these schemes is to build model villages which shall have adequate physical and institutional infrastructure, in which minimum needs of all sections of the society are fully met; they live in harmony with each other, as also with the environment; and are progressive and dynamic. These villages should be covered with all the facilities necessary for dignified living, creating thereby an environment in which all the residents are enabled to utilize their potential to the fullest.

Realisation of this vision mostly depends on community participation in government efforts. Community Development is People Led Development. In this process NGOs have the important role to mobilise the community to be aware about their disabilities and needs for development, especially the youth should be equipped with the knowledge and skills for community development planning in cooperation with the Grama Panchayats and should take responsibilities for development of their own village.

India is progressing fast. The civil Society and the NGOs - especially the grass root level NGOs- have a critical role in the development process.

DOST (meaning a friend) is a friend of the rural people- the poor and the marginalized. No doubt DOST is a small grass root level NGO, but it has the vision, potential and burden for the rural communities- especially for the tribal and dalits – of the District.

I appreciate the leadership, the managing committee members, the staff and the volunteers of DOST for their dedication and hard work and achievements during this year and encourage them to work with more dedication to their vocation of bringing progress, prosperity and peace in the life of the poor and the marginalized.

Mr. Biswa Ranjan Nag
Chairman