The media delegation under the aegis of Press Information Bureau Raipur, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, reached the high-altitude village of Thegu today. Situated at a staggering 13,000 feet above sea level near the Indo-China border, the visit provided the journalists a rare glimpse into the lives of citizens residing at the border villages of India and the critical role of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) in implementing the Central Government’s Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP).

 

 

The media delegation under the aegis of Press Information Bureau Raipur, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, reached the high-altitude village of Thegu today. Situated at a staggering 13,000 feet above sea level near the Indo-China border, the visit provided the journalists a rare glimpse into the lives of citizens residing at the border villages of India and the critical role of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) in implementing the Central Government’s Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP).

 

While talking to the media delegation, Mr. Arimardan Kumar Singh, Deputy Commandant, ITBP, said "ITBP is not just guarding the borders here; we are looking after the basic amenities for the people". "We ensure the availability of water, groceries, and essential healthcare. Because the villagers' livelihoods depend on livestock, we organize specialized veterinary camps for their animals and along with this health camps for the residents are ogranised in regular intervals.  ITBP is committed to building the necessary infrastructure and managing its maintenance to ensure the village remains functional in this harsh climate."

 

In the state of Sikkim, the Vibrant Village Programme is being implemented across 63 identified villages with a dedicated budgetary allocation of ₹188.9 crore. This funding is part of the larger effort involving other northern border regions including Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the UT of Ladakh. The scheme is backed by significant financial support to ensure that these high-altitude settlements, like Thegu, are no longer isolated but are connected to the national mainstream. The development focuses on key areas such as the preservation of local traditions, the construction of pilgrimage interpretation centres, and the enhancement of road and digital connectivity. By transforming these remote outposts into "vibrant" communities with modern amenities, the government is ensuring that the residents at the edge of the country are empowered with the same growth opportunities as those in the heartland.

 

The Government of India approved the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP-I) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme on February 15, 2023, under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). This visionary initiative was launched to bring comprehensive development to 662 select villages across 46 blocks in 19 districts that sit right against the northern border. The programme envisages focused interventions in these select villages to create opportunities for livelihood generation through the promotion of tourism, cultural heritage, skill development, and entrepreneurship. By improving the quality of life in these remote areas, the scheme aims to encourage residents to stay in their native locations, thereby reversing migration and strengthening the security of the nation’s borders.

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