Sindhudurg district’s Gavhan village has become the first in Maharashtra to complete self-enumeration for the upcoming 2027 Census. This was achieved through a collaborative effort between the district administration, the Census Department, and villagers themselves.
The self-enumeration process involved villagers independently filling out census forms, reducing the workload on enumerators and ensuring data accuracy. A training program was conducted for villagers, led by census officials and local representatives, to guide them through the process. This training focused on correctly filling out the forms and understanding the importance of accurate data collection.
Gavhan village has a population of approximately 1,200 individuals. The completion of self-enumeration here is seen as a pilot project, with the district administration aiming to extend this model to other villages in Sindhudurg and eventually across Maharashtra.
District Census Officer Mr. Patil highlighted the benefits of self-enumeration, including increased public participation and improved data quality. Villagers expressed enthusiasm about being involved in the census process and contributing to accurate demographic data.
The initiative aligns with the broader goals of the 2027 Census, which includes leveraging technology and promoting citizen engagement. The use of a mobile application for data collection is also being considered to further streamline the process.
The success in Gavhan village demonstrates the potential for self-enumeration to be a valuable tool in the 2027 Census, potentially leading to a more efficient and accurate data collection process across the state. The administration believes this approach fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among citizens regarding the census. Further villages are being encouraged to adopt this method.
