Rural Development Society (R.D.S.), Murgod – Celebrating 43 Years of Service
The Rural Development Society (R.D.S.), Murgod, has now entered its 43rd year. True to the Kannada proverb “A leaf untouched by the goat doesn’t exist”, the organization has worked across all sectors of rural development in partnership with government and voluntary institutions.
Mr. Basangouda M. Gowdati, who began his journey in 1976 as a young volunteer with the “Sevadal” founded by Mr. N.S. Hardikar, has been continuously involved in social service ever since. In 1979, Mr. Gowdati founded the Rural Development Society (R.D.S.), Muragod. As they worked together on several initiatives with youth, the need to register the organization officially arose. Accordingly, in 1982, the organization was registered under the Societies Registration Act.
During this time, R.D.S. collaborated with the Forest Department on environmental conservation initiatives—primarily organizing Vanamahotsava (tree planting festivals) and raising awareness about clean and green environment. The support and encouragement of the then MLA, Mr. V.H.P. Patil, is gratefully acknowledged.
We also fondly remember our dedicated collaborators—Sri Narayan Prasad, Gopikrishna, Prasad, Manjunath, Gopal Dhabade, and Sharada Gopal—for their joint efforts.
Under the Multi-Village Water Supply Scheme, clean drinking water initiatives were implemented in 14 Gram Panchayats in Gangavathi taluk, Haveri district. Under the Forest Development Project, 320 Village Forest Committees were formed with active community participation.
Formally registered under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act in 1982 and under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act in 1985, RDS has been tirelessly working for over four decades in drought-prone and interior regions of Karnataka. With its people-centric approach, the organization has transformed the lives of nearly 25 lakh beneficiaries through 95 impactful projects.
Our work spans diverse areas such as women’s empowerment, rural and urban drinking water and sanitation, watershed and dry land development, forest conservation, biodiversity, skill development, health, education, gender equality, and livelihood initiatives. By organizing self-help groups (SHGs) and federations, fostering market linkages, promoting legal literacy, and implementing innovative programs, RDS continues to drive sustainable change at the grassroots.
Today, supported by State and Central Governments, World Bank, NABARD, noble donors, and equipped with robust infrastructure, RDS stands as a trusted partner in building self-reliant and resilient rural communities throughout Karnataka.
R.D.S. also organized HIV/AIDS awareness programs in Koppal district and has conducted rehabilitation programs for Devadasis since 1988—establishing the first district-level federation of Devadasis, a pioneering initiative. Medical camps were conducted with doctors from Mumbai, offering free health checkups and medicines. Support and counselling were offered to Devadasis in places like Athani, Kakkeri, Raybag, Jamkhandi, and Bijapur, even arranging marriages for some as part of a revolutionary social reform step.
