As long as hatred remains, unity cannot grow. Even if there are differences of opinion, these should not be allowed to stand in the way of united action for promoting the welfare of the village as a whole.

A school without teachers, a temple without a deity, a wire without current and a field without water are of no use. Every one should regard his heart itself as a temple and strive to realise the divinity that is in him.

Villagers should seek to share all the amenities available in the villages. They must learn a lesson from the behaviour of the crow. When a crow sees an edible, it cries, ‘kaw, kaw’, to attract other crows to the place. Likewise, when ant sees a piece of jaggery, it does not start eating it alone. It brings other ants to the place. Rows and rows of ants can be seen coming towards the lump of jaggery and eating from it. Look at the unity and cooperation among the ants and crows. Such unity is not present among men. Personal differences are ruining the life in the villages. Enormous progress can be made by the villagers if there is unity among them.

There will then be no need for approaching the Government for help. If the villagers are united, there is nothing, which they cannot accomplish.  (SSS Vol.18, pp. 61-63)

Villages are the heart of India. We have to build a strong rural India if we want to strengthen our country. But migration from villages to cities in search of education and employment has become the bane of modern India. We have to serve the cause of true education in villages in order to solve this problem. This is real social service in the context of our times. (SSSDK, p. 280)

Know that ananda is your nature, your sustenance, your goal. Villages are the places where this knowledge comes easier to man and takes deeper roots. That is the reason I love villages most. For the virtues of detachment, uprightness, honesty, and sincerity, which are essential prerequisites for acquiring this awareness, are surviving, in however attenuated a form, only in villages this day. They disappeared from towns long ago. Of course you have your troubles and handicaps; but certainly you have less obstacles to overcome when you decide to lead a good life and attain the awareness of your Divinity. (SSS Vol. 10, p. 19)

Villages are the life breath of Indian culture. But today villagers are facing many difficulties. They do not have proper educational and medical facilities. They lack even good drinking water and nutritious food. Cleanliness and sanitation have become casualties in villages. They do not have even latrines. You have to embark on service in the villages and help the villagers by providing these facilities through your sacrifice and dedication. I aspire and bless you that you will consider service to villagers as service to God. Gramaseva is Ramaseva. (SSSm Vol.7, p. 279)

(See – Lesson, Leader, Pothana, Spirituality)