— Dr. Atul Malikram (Political Strategist)
The land of Bundelkhand—once globally renowned for its valour and cultural heritage—is today suffering under the curse of poverty, unemployment, and mass migration. The rampant hunger and destitution prevailing in its villages are no secret; yet, the government, ensconced in the corridors of power, appears unable to hear these cries of distress. The NITI Aayog’s Multidimensional Poverty Index serves as stark evidence that Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh rank among the third and fourth poorest states in the country, with the Bundelkhand districts spanning these states occupying the very top spots on this shameful list. In regions such as Chitrakoot, Tikamgarh, and Banda, more than half the population is struggling below the poverty line. I state unequivocally that Bundelkhand requires not merely hollow electoral promises, but a concrete and holistic action plan—one that the government must wake from its slumber to implement.
The very first step toward making Bundelkhand poverty-free must be the creation of an accurate and transparent database. The government must recognize that until we identify the individual standing at the “last mile”—and understand their specific needs—the benefits of welfare schemes will continue to be usurped by intermediaries. Schemes such as Ayushman Bharat, PM Awas, and Ladli Behna must be integrated to develop a mechanism ensuring that no eligible family is deprived of benefits due to bureaucratic negligence. Merely citing e-KYC statistics does not suffice; the true yardstick of success lies in the actual delivery of these schemes at the grassroots level.
To strengthen the region’s economic backbone, it is imperative to connect at least one member of every impoverished family with either employment or self-employment opportunities. The youth of Bundelkhand do not lack talent; what is lacking is merely adequate training and resources. The government should establish specialized skill development centres tailored to the demands of local industries—centres that do not merely distribute certificates but also guarantee a 70 percent placement rate. The benefits of schemes such as Madhya Pradesh’s ‘Mukhyamantri Udyam Kranti Yojana’ must reach those underprivileged youths who currently shy away from pursuing opportunities due to the daunting complexity of the loan application process. Furthermore, ancillary sectors in rural areas—such as dairy farming, poultry, and fisheries—must be promoted through a cooperative model. The benefits of Madhya Pradesh’s new fisheries policy must extend to the ponds of Bundelkhand, thereby enabling those who are currently migrating for work to find gainful employment right within their own villages.
Establishing a network of cooperative societies to curb the economic exploitation faced by the farmers and artisans of Bundelkhand should be a priority for the government. Until the dominance of middlemen is eliminated, schemes such as the UP government’s ‘One District, One Product’ initiative will remain confined merely to advertisements. Bundelkhand’s unique products must be connected to international markets and e-commerce platforms to ensure that profits flow directly into the pockets of the producers. Furthermore, given that this is a predominantly agrarian region, establishing small-scale food processing units here is also imperative. Units such as flour mills, oil mills, and spice packaging facilities will open up new avenues for employment right within the villages.
The future of Bundelkhand rests upon the health and education of its children and women. Anganwadis must be revitalized in the Kol tribal regions, which are currently grappling with the scourge of malnutrition. Programs such as the Yashoda Maternal and Child Nutrition Mission must be implemented not merely on paper, but on the ground—complete with the provision of milk and nutritious food. In the realm of education, special scholarships for underprivileged children and the establishment of coaching centers—modeled after the ‘Super 30’ initiative—at the district level are essential to ensure that financial constraints never stand in the way of a meritorious student. Increasing the financial assistance provided under the ‘Ladli Behna Yojana’ to ₹3,000, and expanding its scope, would constitute a significant stride toward the economic empowerment of women.
Viewed holistically, the development of Bundelkhand is not the responsibility of any single department. It requires an integrated action plan, the progress of which should be reviewed personally at the level of the Chief Minister. The benefits derived from industrial packages must directly reach local impoverished families in the form of employment opportunities. The government must recognize that the people of Bundelkhand can wait no longer. If the government truly wishes to see this region liberated from poverty, it must infuse transparency into its working methods and implement these ten-point schemes in a mission-mode approach. The dignity of Bundelkhand will be restored only when every pair of hands in the region finds work and every family is freed from deprivation. The time has now come for the government to demonstrate its political will and assist Bundelkhand in setting new benchmarks for development; however, if this proves unfeasible, the Central Government should declare Bundelkhand a separate state—for, much like other small states recorded in history, Bundelkhand, too, will then chart its own path.
