In order to strengthen the social and security framework along the China border, the union cabinet allotted Rs 4,800 crore in 2023 under the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP). It was started as a centrally supported initiative which aimed to develop all of the villages that have been identified in 46 blocks that border the north and north eastern region in 19 districts of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Ladakh. Now, the initiative’s tremendously positive outcomes are beginning to show.
On 6th February 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also shed light on the same during his address in the Rajya Sabha. He stated that in addition to serving various communities, the government also paid attention to the most remote areas of the nation, including border villages which had been disregarded as backward regions by previous administrations and their policy of prioritizing Delhi and neglecting the rest.
Several regions across the nation had not witnessed a lot of development in the past. Villages on our borders were ignored for decades.
— BJP (@BJP4India) February 6, 2025
We changed our approach towards them. We identified them as 'first villages' and specifically focused on their development. Cabinet Ministers,…
PM Modi emphasized the change in mindset that the government has brought about, to ensure that border villagers are given precedence. He underlined that these settlements have been granted special status as “first villages” with particular development plans as they are located where the sun’s first and last rays touch.
According to the prime minister, ministers were dispatched to isolated hamlets to spend an entire day there, even in frigid temperatures like minus 15 degrees, to learn about and solve the issues afflicting the locals. He added that village leaders and heads from these border regions are welcomed as guests on Republic Day, Independence Day and other national holidays. He reiterated the centre’s dedication to “Sabka Saath and Sabka Vikas” as well as its persistent attempts to outreach to all underprivileged populations.
PM Modi pointed out the government’s perpetual focus on the “Vibrant Villages Programme” and stressed its significance and effectiveness for the country’s security.
What is Vibrant Villages Programme
The VVP was officially launched at the Arunachal Pradesh border village of Kibithoo on 10th April 2023. The programme seeks to develop the border villages in all aspects, including building roads and homes, offering decentralized renewable energy, television and telecom connectivity, promoting tourism and culture, fostering entrepreneurship and skill development, building societies to create jobs and more. The goal is to create economic possibilities and supply basic amenities for the border residents to guarantee that they do not feel excluded from the development gains and leave these isolated places.
The government recommended spending Rs 4,800 crores over five years (2022–2023 to 2025–2026) to complete these tasks. Of the designated sum, Rs 2,500 crores would be used for road construction and the remaining for other infrastructure projects. The programme, which calls for the comprehensive development of 2,967 villages spread over 19 districts in four states and one union territory along the India-China border, was approved by the union government on 15th February 2022. The initiative consists of three stages, with the first phase focusing on the priority development of 662 border areas.
There are 455 villages in Arunachal Pradesh followed by Himachal Pradesh (75), Uttarakhand (51), Sikkim (46), and Ladakh (35). To increase the resources available for improving socioeconomic services there, the union government directed that all other centrally sponsored schemes that are currently in place and concentrate on providing health, education and sanitation, among other things be integrated and implemented in addition to the VVP projects.
Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda in 2023 informed, “Tribals in border villages have protected the country since ages along with preservation of their local traditions and culture. They are the true patriots of the country. We are privileged to have you in our midst in the capital city. These border villages, once termed the ‘Last Villages of India’ have been termed the ‘First Villages’ by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India feels secure because the inhabitants of these border villages are keeping watch.”
“Over 17 Ministers have visited and stayed overnight in these villages. Under the visionary guidance of PM Modi, the government is trying to ensure the delivery of its programmes focusing on the empowerment of women and youth, connectivity with all-weather roads, provision of clean drinking water, 24×7 power to be focused on solar and wind energy, Mobile and Internet connectivity, tourist centers, multipurpose center and health and wellness center,” he further conveyed.
“Further, cooperatives is set to be developed at the local level to manage livelihood opportunities including entrepreneurship agriculture horticulture, cultivation of medicinal herbs etc. The government is committed to the all round development of Border Villages under the Vibrant Villages Programme,” the minister added.
How the programme brought radical change and improved lives
“Life in the village is far better but better education opportunities force parents to migrate to the district headquarters to enroll their children in schools. With the government focusing on developing border villages and improving road connectivity, there’s a shift. Now, people are moving back to their villages. I am one of them,” voiced 40-year-old Dipen Molo in a detailed report published by The Print. He long-held a dream to establish a Kiwi farm in his hamlet but spent almost 30 years away from home in pursuit of more opportunities.
The border village of Ebamee is located in the Dibang Valley area of Arunachal Pradesh’s Anini circle. The hamlet, which is 24 kilometers from the main Anini town, has seen considerable development in recent years, which has prompted him to return. Likewise, many people from the Dibang Valley district’s border communities are rediscovering their heritage. Kibithoo and the surrounding villages in the Anjaw district of eastern Arunachal Pradesh now have multiple home stays, a bus service that connects Kibithoo with Tezu in Lohit district near Assam, mobile network connectivity, blacktopped roads and the best bakery in Walong called the “Kibithoo Frontier Cafe” or “KFC.”
This was just 18 months after the Vibrant Village Programme kicked off. The people have taken advantage of the tourism potential and it’s all transpiring close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC). A cafe in Kibithoo is owned by 27-year-old Pramila Rai and three of her friends, who sell coffee, cookies, momos and noodles. She completed her studies at Tezu Government College. About two years ago, the Indian Army launched a soft-skills training program that gave the four women the courage to launch their own business. The army also granted them course certificates.
Pramila stated, “We take orders for birthday cakes for both civilians and army personnel. You find a little of everything in Kibithoo now – roads and highway, medical facility, mobile network that reached our village only 3 to 4 months ago. We can now make best use of our smart phones.”
In May 2023, Kibithoo got 4G network connectivity for the first time.
The USO funded 4G network commissioned successfully at Kibithoo – first vibrant village of India on 13.5.2023.
— Department of IT&C Government of Arunachal Pradesh (@ditc_arunachal) May 13, 2023
Heartiest thanks to the Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi and Hon'ble CM Shri Pema Khandu. pic.twitter.com/oLoL9hZLuf
How Indian Army plays a critical role in development of border villages
The Indian Army and personnel of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) play a critical role in the Vibrant Villages Programme. They not only undertake training initiatives for locals, but actively participate in activities, often working side by side with the locals to implement the projects.
“With a renewed vision to develop the border villages through Vibrant Village Programme, the task of the Indian Army has doubled. Besides guarding the borders, they have today become the active partner in successful implementation of the vibrant village programme”, Arunachal CM Khandu posted past year, thanking the Army.
With a renewed vision to develop the border villages through Vibrant Village Programme, the task of the Indian Army has doubled. Besides guarding the borders, they have today become the active partner in successful implementation of the vibrant village programme.
— Pema Khandu པདྨ་མཁའ་འགྲོ་། (@PemaKhanduBJP) June 23, 2023
n/n pic.twitter.com/Sj0HXK3Zfn
Cooking and baking workshops and health camps are frequently organised by the Army in these areas, training locals to learn new skills and develop their entrepreneurship potential.
Kaho in Arnunachal Pradesh is called India’s first village, which has 17 homes and a population of just over 100. The village is now a popular destination for tourists from all around the nation.
Alinye and Angrim Valley, close to Acheso are also positioned to become model villages. Military infrastructure projects that are also intended for civilian use are largely responsible for the valley’s development. Foot Suspension Bridges (FSB) are essential for the people who live on both sides of the Dri River. The army repaired a 70-meter FSB at Acheso in August.
More eco-campsites and homestays are being constructed by the people of Dri hamlets. Additionally, tourists are swarming to the area’s well-known Chigu Camp resort, which is ideal for experiencing snowfall during the height of winter. Furthermore, the government organizes trekking trips along the Dri River and a chance to see endangered species such as as the Mishmi Takin, a goat-antelope species listed as Vulnerable (IUCN) in the upper Mishmi Hills.
Vibrant Villages Programme: Collaboration between army and people
Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Lieutenant General KT Parnaik in 2023 stated that VVP “must be collaborative in nature, wherein armed forces and local people share their facilities and resources.” He visited the vibrant border village of Tuting in Upper Siang District and talked to the community leaders and members and assured that the army would assist the locals in every possible way.
The Governor, who was visiting vibrant border villages, remarked that the Vibrant Villages Programme was started by the Indian government to promote the overall development of the border regions. He asserted that the project needs to be cooperative in nature, with the local population and the military sharing resources and facilities. He also encouraged the locals to focus on tourism, poultry, animal husbandry and horticulture to make optimal use of the potential of their regions.
According to him, the armed personnel stationed close to the villages would receive fresh food products and fresh vegetables, while the locals will be able to earn a fair living and develop their independence and capabilities.
In December 2024, Arunachal CM Pema Khandu had shared that as many as 455 villages in his state have benefitted from the Vibrant Villages Program.
A brainchild of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, Vibrant Villages Programme is transforming the lives of our people living in villages on the border.
— Pema Khandu པདྨ་མཁའ་འགྲོ་། (@PemaKhanduBJP) December 5, 2024
Glad to share that Arunachal Pradesh is a major beneficiary of VVP, creating opportunities for livelihood generation… pic.twitter.com/9WVrqLEDrQ
Notably, although the government has always prioritized the development of border regions, the June 2020 hostilities between the Indian and Chinese soldiers in the Ladakh region acted as the impetus for the VVP’s inception. Poor road connectivity was a defining feature of India’s border regions, particularly those the country shared with China. The government was therefore unable to access these regions and offer the border inhabitants essential facilities and services.
The border population is forced to relocate to mainland cities and towns in the hope of a better life due to a lack of basic conveniences and job opportunities. Populated villages in border regions are critical from a national security perspective. Because abandoned villages serve as an opportunity for hostile forces to occupy. Taking last mile connectivity and development to frontier areas not just strengthens the nation, it sends a message of inclusivity for the people who have been left neglected for decades.
Creating sufficient chances for local people to remain in their villages rather than move to towns is the main goal of the programme. Military strategists believe that out-migration gives the Chinese the confidence to extend their territorial claims beyond the current deployment. Vibrant villages on the border are not just a sign of a prosperous nation, they are a message to the neighbouring countries that ‘Here we are, Indians, and we are here to stay.”
