Raipur: An  officer with an impressive record of accolades, District Collector Raipur, IAS Dr Sarveshwar Bhure is quietly steering a unique transformation at a small village in Raipur district, the state capital of Chhattisgarh. He has been driving force behind the remarkable digital transformation at Tulsi, a one of its kind village where one third of the villagers are YouTubers. A simple yet unique village which is inspiring state’s youth to take on content creation as a career, it caught the attention of Bhure who went on to patronise the village’s YouTubers by providing cutting aid digital equipment along with developing an equipped “Hamar Flix Studio” to facilitate content creation at Tulsi.

Bureaucrats India has had an insightful conversation with Dr to learn about Tulsi village's exceptional journey and how the District Administration is empowering village youth through platforms like YouTube and sets a distinguished benchmark for rural development.

1. Could you tell us about the unique digital transformation happening in Tulsi village? What sets it apart from other rural areas?

Tulsi, a small village situated in Raipur district's Tilda block, stands out due to its digital achievements. It boasts over 40 active YouTube channels with a thriving community of more than 150 artists actively contributing to these channels. Together, they have garnered a substantial following of over 10 lakhs on various social media platforms. This achievement is particularly unique for a village with a population of just 1200 residents.

2. How has the Raipur district administration, under your leadership, supported young content creators in Tulsi? Could you share the initiatives taken?

After a meeting with all the content creators in Tulsi, we identified a common need for better equipment, software, and a suitable setup for producing high-quality videos. In response, we established a studio equipped with all the modern gadgets necessary for top-notch video shooting, editing, and production. This studio also includes a co-working space for collaboration and an audio recording room to ensure the production of high-quality sound.

3. Can you provide insights into "Hummer Flix," the state's first high-tech studio dedicated to Tulsi's social media content creators? How has it impacted the villagers?

The name "Hamar Flix" was coined by one of the YouTubers, combining "Netflix" and "Hamar" to give the studio a distinct local Chhattisgarhi flavor. This studio is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for shooting, including a 4K resolution drone camera, high-end cameras, and a fully-furnished setup for shooting. It also boasts a powerful computer with a high-end processor and graphics card for editing, along with an audio recording lab to ensure top-notch sound production.

The impact of these resources will be substantial. YouTubers will now be able to create higher-quality content and potentially earn more from their work. Additionally, several digital firms have emerged in the village, specializing in areas like digital marketing and music production. This studio will facilitate their growth and expansion. Overall, it will contribute to the development of a robust content creation ecosystem in the village.

4. It's intriguing that individuals of all ages in Tulsi are creating YouTube videos. Could you provide examples of the different age groups involved and the types of content they create?

These YouTubers come from different age groups and create a wide range of content, including traditional Chhattisgarhi music, Bollywood spoofs, and rap music videos. For instance, Gyanendra, who is around 32 years old, specializes in Bollywood spoofs, featuring 25-30 villagers in various roles within his videos. On the other hand, Abhishek, who is 20 years old, manages the channel Cg Gold. He produces rap songs and, in addition, takes on online projects from both within Chhattisgarh and outside the region.

5. The youth in Tulsi have garnered a substantial following and views on their YouTube videos. What do you believe is the key factor behind their success in building an audience?

A major reason for their substantial following is the quality of their content. They create engaging and relatable content centered around local culture, music, and humorous spoofs. Additionally, they thrive on collaboration, harnessing the power of teamwork, which we often witness among successful YouTubers. What sets them apart is the participation of over 150 people from the village across more than 40 channels, making it a truly unique and vibrant community.

6. What are the future plans of the district administration for Tulsi? Specifically, could you provide details about the digital skill center they aim to establish and its objectives?

We're in the process of establishing a digital skill center in Tulsi village. Content creation is just one part of a broader digital skills ecosystem that includes digital marketing, graphic design, music production, and more. The young generation in Tulsi village has displayed significant interest in these skills and has even started small businesses in these areas. We aim to create a thriving environment in this region by setting up the skill center. We're currently in discussions with both offline and online platforms to run this center. This initiative will not only promote content creation but also encourage entrepreneurship in the area.

7. How has this transformation in Tulsi village affected the perception of rural areas in Chhattisgarh? Has it inspired other villages to explore similar opportunities?

It's truly inspiring to see how a small rural village has tapped into the potential of the digital world for content creation and online work. This story has the power to motivate others to seize the opportunities that the digital realm offers.

8. Could you share some personal stories or experiences of Tulsi's youth who have become successful YouTubers? How has this impacted their lives?

Gyanendra Shukla runs a YouTube channel with over 100,000 subscribers. In addition to creating YouTube content, he is involved in media production. Abhishek operates a digital company called Gold CG, along with Rahul and a team of others. They've undertaken projects from online platforms like Fiverr and are achieving success in their endeavors.

9. In what ways do you foresee Tulsi village's YouTube community success contributing to the overall development and prosperity of the capital district and the state of Chhattisgarh?

Tulsi's story will motivate many young people to consider content creation as a career choice. It's a tale of exploring different job paths. Content creators have played a crucial role in promoting government programs. Just recently, Abhishek created a captivating rap song about SVEEP activities during elections. It's truly impressive. In the future, we anticipate the emergence of more digital content from this village.

10. What lessons can other regions, both rural and urban, learn from Tulsi's journey to become a "YouTuber Village'' in terms of utilizing digital platforms for empowerment and progress?

The Internet and smartphones have created significant opportunities for people. Whether you're interested in creating content or working on online projects, there are vast possibilities. Businesses and even governments are moving towards digitalization. This means there are great chances to succeed in these areas, whether you want to become an influencer, start your own business, or develop your skills.