Going Forward

Abstract

This chapter captures the essence of various perspectives on smart village development and makes suggestions on going forward in the context of Covid-19 and the changes it had brought about in the world. The change in the work behavior of much of the global urban and semi-urban population, resulting from government and self-imposed physical lockdown and isolation to battle COVID-19, has meant that more people are willing to work from rural areas. Digital connectivity and off-grid development will make this transition easier. In any case, a clear statement of the needs, identification of the enablers, and a project map for implementation described in earlier chapters of the book are essential. Agencies which are stakeholders in smart village development, such as state, regional, and local governments, public–private partnerships, nongovernmental organizations, and even specialists in public policy will have to fine-tune their strategies for smart village development. Proactive initiatives will hasten the narrowing and bridging of the gap between the urban and rural communities and help meet the Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations.