Model Village Odanthurai – India’s Beacon of Sustainable Rural Development Odanthurai, a small village in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore district, stands today as one of India’s most inspiring examples of grassroots transformation. Spread across roughly 14 square kilometers and home to about 6,000 residents , this once-neglected hamlet has redefined what rural self-reliance can look like in the 21st century. The architect of this transformation is Mr. R. Shanmugam , who served as the President of the Odanthurai Panchayat from 2001 to 2011 . Under his visionary leadership, the village shifted from dependency to dignity, from scarcity to sustainability. From Slum to Symbol of Hope Two decades ago, Odanthurai lacked basic necessities—clean drinking water, paved roads, sanitation, and safe housing. Unemployment, migration, and poverty were widespread. Mr. R. Shanmugam introduced a bold, long-term development vision centered on: Self-reliance Environmental responsibility Community ownership Finan...