<p>PM Modi mentioned a changed mindset towards India’ border villages in his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort.</p>
<p>"The Vibrant Border Villages were called the last villages of the country. We changed that mindset. They are not the last villages in the country. What you can see at the borders is the first village in my country…" (PM Modi clip)</p>
<p>He was referring to the transformation of India’s border villages through the "Vibrant Village Programme" (VVP). This ambitious initiative spans 2,967 villages across 19 districts in 46 border blocks of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Ladakh, aiming to uplift rural communities.</p>
<p>Union Home Minister Amit Shah officially inaugurated the pilot programme for the project on April 10, 2023, at Kibithoo village in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. This launch serves a dual purpose of promoting tourism and fostering inclusive development along India’s northern borders.</p>
<p>The Indian Government has allocated Rs 4800 crore for the Vibrant Villages Programme, spanning until 2026. The program is structured in three phases to curb migration from remote areas to urban centers and encourage reverse migration by providing modern facilities and livelihood opportunities. The initial phase, spanning three fiscal years from 2023-2024 to 2025-2026, will focus on the development of 662 villages, including Arunachal Pradesh’s Kibithoo.</p>
<p>In Arunachal Pradesh, five village clusters have been selected for development under the pilot initiative:</p>
<p>Chayang Tajo in East Kameng District<br />Kibithoo, Kaho, and Meshai in Anjaw District<br />Taksing in Upper Subansiri District<br />Tuting in Upper Siang District<br />Zemithang in Tawang District</p>
<p>The Vibrant Village Programme heralds a new era of sustainable rural development, promoting self-sufficiency, skill development, and eco-conscious tourism.</p>