Improving the lives of rural Indians through social innovation

India is a country of villages, and a significant proportion of the population lives in the rural area. There are several fundamental challenges in the Indian villages. There is a requirement for a holistic approach to participatory development. This study addresses important facets of the interconnected problems that Indian rural society has experienced in recent decades, highlighting the dysfunctional relationships between an innovation policy that is grounded on an economically and technologically oriented, one-sided understanding of innovation. There are two aspects, first, possibilities within the village or contributions from the local community, and second the state's role in innovation. The social capital, use of local resources, and participation of stakeholders can be seen as a base for the sustainable development of the village. The study recommends the state enable rural areas in the affordable agriculture system and other small occupations, information and communication technology (ICT), communication, vocational skills courses, self-help groups, and microfinance. Keywords: Information and communication technology (ICT); rural development; social capital; social innovation.