After India became independent, Nehru and his policy advisors embarked on a programe of planned development that focused on agrarian reform as well as .......................
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Agriculture is the single most important source of livelihood for the majority of the rural population. But the rural is not just agriculture.
Many activities that support agriculture and village life are also sources of livelihood for people in rural India. For example, a large number of artisans such as potters, carpenters, weavers, iron smiths, and goldsmiths are found in rural areas.
Rural life also supported many other specialists and crafts persons as story-tellers, astrologers, priests, water-distributors, and oil-pressers.
The diversity of occupations in rural India was reflected in the caste system, which in most regions included specialist and ‘service’ castes such as Washermen, Potters, and Goldsmiths.
Some of these traditional occupations have declined. But increasing interconnection of the rural and urban economies have led to many diverse occupations.
Many people living in rural areas are employed in, or have livelihoods based in, rural non-farm activities. For instance, there are rural residents employed in government services such as the Postal and Education Departments, factory workers, or in the army, who earn their living through non-agricultural activities.