The evolution of Agra rural development association from a loose, fragmented and often directionless outfit to a professional formal structure has taken more than two decades. The dreamy – eyed idealist of early seventies who were, firmly weded to the socialist ideology reached top echelons of socialist movement were member of Indian Assembly of youth, The Vishwa Yuvak Kendra, New Delhi, The national council of university student union of India and several other youth organization. Agra was center of training and conference and adult literacy movement . For a few year there was a lull in constructive activities. Disillusionment set in and revulsion against politics was the dominant mood. But the eighties saw them reuniting again and a new phase of creative and purposeful activities began. The rural India was this time their focus and thus was borne Agra Rural Development Association – A chief front for Gandhian struggle for social causes. The Jawahar Bridge movement for speedy repairs to help farmers to transport there produce to the urban areas won its many laurels. Subsequently The Taj National Park Agitation, the Cities Park Bachao Movement and Jamuna Sudhikaran Abhiyan, The need for Family planning message in rural areas stuck a sympathetic chord in the hearts of the people and continuous training program for rural youth have brought the association into sharper focus. Our Jal Seva movement is unique in the Society. The promoter of A.R.D.A. are well qualified and reputed social workers who are deeply committed to the voluntary movement and are fired by a social concern that is eloquently reflected in their lifestyles and social behaviour. Agra rural development association is a registered organization under society registration Act 21 of 1860 with registration no. 1210/1987-88 in 1988 The association is working for the empowerment of weaker section of society focus on the rural development activities for child and women. Landless labour, artisans, agro-techniques. Health and family planning, sanitation, housing, water management, Skill development and vocational training etc. A.R.D.A. has successfully implemented CAPART funding project on safe, pure and potable water supply in 24 villages of dacoit prone areas of Bah tehsil, trained forty young women in “Textile designing” as part of women empowerment at Bichpuri block and trained 100 farmers for production and propagation of vermi-compost in thirty eight villages of Barauli Ahir block of Agra district. A.R.D.A. have also implemented projects of health and family planning and reproductive & Child health funded by M.O.H. & F.W., New Delhi & Skill development and Vocational training programes for youth with the financial support of M.O.S. & youth affairs, New Delhi. A CAPART funded three days workshop at youth hostel Agra helped to formulate a strategy and action plan for coordinated endeavour in the field of Mass media, conservation, water resource management and panchayat rajya institution. The association is bent upon for developing innovative participatory technology for improving quality of living in the region. Indeed the committed bend of activities under A.R.D.A. umbrella is all set to scale new heights.
