Saarc spirit: A hope or a reality?
The hope and aspiration generated by the formation of Saarc 20 years ago need to be made a reality with substantial change in the lifestyle of about 1400 million people living in these seven countries. The prevailing scenario of poverty, education, health and nutrition, employment generation, transport and communication, credit facilities etc. at the rural areas is much below the expectations, in spite of repeated commitments and declarations.
Rural development is possible with the capability building of the rural people. There is need for intensive training on improved agricultural system, HYV of seeds and use of modern agricultural implements.
The Saarc Agricultural Information Centre located in Bangladesh and the Saarc Human Resource Development Centre at Islamabad must take more extensive measures in collaboration with BARD, RDA, of Bangladesh NIRD of India, LDTA of Nepal , NCRD of Pakistan and HARTI of Sri Lanka.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The benefits of Saarc must reach the people. Millennium Development Goals must be achieved and poverty must be eradicated by 2015.