The Rural Institutes Forum (RIF) is one of the centres of the NCRI that is dedicated to strengthening rural institutes across the country. Rural Institutes (RIs), long known for their unique contribution to human resource development in rural sector, have been increasingly assuming additional roles in recent years as promoters of development and, as vehicles for growth and job creation. RIF fosters convergence among various rural institutes by facilitating a common platform for sharing their experiences, expertise and best practices. Towards this, it has been organising several meetings, workshops, seminars and national conventions.
Origin
The concept of a rural institute is a blend of Gandhiji’s philosophy of education, Tagore’s vision of voluntary rural reconstruction and the Rural University model proposed by Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.

A rural institute caters to the needs of the rural people in the following areas:

• Education and training
• Micro-planning
• Agriculture
• Health
• Natural resource management
• Geographic information systems
• Environmental sustainability
• Sustainable rural industries
• Co-operatives and rural enterprises

It uses a learning paradigm that is practice-based, with a problem-solving approach. The thrust of rural institutes is to empower rural people by harnessing their potential for rural reconstruction.
Vision
Improving the quality of life of the rural people by imparting rural higher education to foster self-reliance of villages.
Mission
To establish, network and strengthen the rural institutes to carry forward the mission of NCRI.
Objectives

• Supporting and strengthening existing rural institutes
• Capacity development of rural institutes
• Establishing new rural institutes
• Advise  government on all matters pertaining to rural institutes

Activity chart

Recent events

Forthcoming events

Contact :

Co-ordinator
Rural Institutes Forum
Landline : 040-23422103
E-mail : porif@ncri.in