Etawah- Pilot Project

Etawah Pilot Project

Etawah Pilot Project   The idea of starting this project was co↳ nceived and born in 1947. It was put into action with headquarters at Mahewa village about 17 miles from Etawah (U.P.) in September, 1948. First 64 villages, which were then increased to 97, were covered under this project. Lt.col. Albert Mayer of USA, who came to India with the American forces in 1944, was the originator of this project for his scheme, assistance was given by USA and UP Government.

The second name of this project is "Average district project". By name it seems that this is a representative district on the basis of resources criteria; so that successful programme should be adopted in all places easily. It was conceived in 1947. But it was started in September 1948. This project was initiated in the guidance of Lt. Colonel Albert Mayor who had come to India with American armed forces in 1944, and had background of this type of work in USA. Mr. Harace Holenes was the person at the spot who translated the scheme into practice. It received the Assistance from the U.S. point 4 programme. Project was started with 64 villages but it was increased by 97. Albert Mayer (planner)  Albert Mayer (December 29, 1897 – October 14, 1981), an American planner and architect.[1] He is well known for his contribution to American new town development and his innovative planning work in India, including the master plan of Chandigarh, the new capital of the Indian Punjab. Mayer practiced as an architect in New York City post-1935, as an engineer stationed in India for the U.S. Army during World War II, and a planner and consultant after the war. Mayer was born in New York City and attended Columbia University and then Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he received a degree in engineering in 1919.[2] After working for several years post-graduation in the civil engineering sector, Mayer became interested in the social ramifications of design and a few years later he became a registered architect.[3] Mayer was said to be “one of a group of socially oriented architects, planners and urban theorists, including Lewis Mumford, Clarence Stein and Henry Wright." [2] With Mumford and Wright, Mayer co-founded the Housing Study Guild, a group of design professionals that explored rapid urbanization at the turn of the 20th century. This group was publicly funded and studied different typologies of public housing.[3] Mayer returned to Columbia University after he retired from the professional world to teach.  Mayer studied all the other projects and form them he came to the conclusion that: A programme should be based on the need of the people. This programme should be extended by conducting demonstration and evaluation work. The programme should include cottage industries development so that subsidiary occupation could be developed. A project has to be well organized and planned. Rural development should take into account all the aspects of the human being. It is not enough to have a programme for just one class or group of people.           In this project major emphasis was given on increasing agricultural production by the use of green manure, better seeds, agricultural implements fertilizers, adult education and reactivation of saline soils. Characteristics of the scheme:   The extension workers were known as a colleague.  These colleagues met villagers informally and discussed their specific problems. They kept personal touch and personal contact with them. Colleagues were educated upto graduate level. There were counsellors behind colleagues, who guided them in technical aspects                                                                            For All information of Agriraghv Tech .