2. Introduction
• Rural areas are also known as 'countryside' or a 'village' in India. It
has a very low density of population.
• In rural areas, agriculture is the chief source of livelihood along with
fishing, cottage industries, pottery etc.
• The quest to discover the real rural India still continues in great
earnest.
• Here is an definition: According to the Planning Commission, a town
with a maximum population of 15,000 is considered rural in nature. In
these areas the panchayat takes all the decisions.
4. Status Of Women
• The rural women are very much dependent on their men folk.
• The women require the support of institutions like marriage and family.
• The rural women mostly engage in indoor activities and they work in
fields as well.
• They are very much attached to their family members.
• Women adjust themselves to the family conditions,
and make sacrifices in the interest of the family.
5. Literacy
• Literacy Rate for Women: 54%
• Literacy Rate for Men: 76%
(census 2011)
• The literacy level of rural people is low as compared to
urban population.
• In 2011 ,the overall literacy rate in India was about 74%.
But the rural literacy rate in many states was less than
50%.
• The low literacy rate is due to lack of educational
facilities
in village,and poverty among the rural masses.
.
6. Poverty
• As per Suresh Tendulkar's Committee Report, 2009, about 37.2% of
India's population lives below poverty line.
• In rural areas, percent of people living below poverty line is
• 41%.The rural poverty is very high, especially, in state of Orissa, Bihar
and Madhya Pradesh.
7. Poverty
The main cause of rural poverty are :
High growth of population, especially among the poor.
Social exploitation by the landlords of the farm .
Malpractices by money lenders.
Poor implementation of anti-poverty measures.
8. Occupation
• The rural people are mostly engaged in agriculture. About 80 to
90% of village people are directly or indirectly connected with
agricultural and other related areas.
• Agricultural is still the major source of income in the northern
and eastern Indian villages.
• Therefore, the prosperity of rural areas is directly connected
with agricultural.
