Community programme launched across 300 Haryana villages

A voluntary programme to address drug abuse and expand educational and career opportunities for rural youth was launched in 300 villages of Haryana’s Jind district on October 11.

The Panchgama Vikas Model was conceived by Chandigarh police chief Sagar Preet Hooda and launched by the Haryana Professional Forum and Jind Social Forum. The launch took place at Chaudhary Ranbir Singh University in Jind.

The villages have been organised into 60 clusters of five. Each has a lead and a five-member team tasked with identifying local needs, engaging residents and helping young people find educational and career opportunities.

Hooda said the initiative would provide guidance and volunteers’ time rather than promise money or jobs. It will help young people navigate courses, entrance examinations and skill training, while encouraging sport and mentorship.

The programme also seeks to address drug abuse and unsafe irregular migration. Plans include upgrading government libraries and supporting new community libraries with books, computers and internet access.

Hooda said a linked library network could allow one expert to reach 6,000 children at a time, with 20 participants from each village. Teams will connect potential book and computer donors directly with villages needing those resources.

Expansion to other parts of Haryana is envisaged once the model becomes established in Jind. Deputy Commissioner Vaishali Sharma attended the launch, and cluster teams had met in their villages earlier that day.