At a special event held at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi on the eve of the 78th Independence Day, Union Minister of Panchayati Raj and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, recognized the critical role of Panchayat representatives in India’s development.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj organized a Felicitation Function to honor around 400 Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) and Elected Representatives (ERs) of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Rural Local Bodies (RLBs). The event, attended by key figures including Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, and other senior officials, celebrated the significant contributions of these leaders to their communities.
Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh urged the Panchayat leaders to leverage technological advancements like eGram Swaraj–Bhashini to improve governance in rural areas. He emphasized that leadership should be defined by action and impact, encouraging women to establish their identity through their work.
The Union Minister also praised the Prime Minister’s initiative to include Panchayat representatives in the Independence Day celebrations, highlighting the essential role of Panchayats in India’s development. He commended the Ministry’s efforts in training Panchayat leaders at institutions like Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and urged them to continually enhance their skills.
Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel welcomed the Panchayat representatives and encouraged them to embrace their roles fully. He highlighted the opportunity to witness the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort and advised the representatives to set ambitious goals in their personal and professional lives.
Shri Vivek Bhardwaj, Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, welcomed the guests and emphasized the importance of women’s leadership in driving social progress. Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Special Secretary, reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to empowering women leaders and strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions.
The event also featured the launch of the Multilingual eGramSwaraj platform, developed with BHASHINI, aimed at making digital services accessible in all 22 scheduled languages of India. Additionally, the State/UT-wise Panchayat Profile was released, offering insights into local governance.
The celebrations included an audio-visual exhibition on the SVAMITVA Scheme and a photo exhibition on ‘India’s Heritage,’ reflecting the cultural richness of rural India. The event concluded with a visit to the Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya and participation in the Independence Day function at the Red Fort, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to inclusive growth and women’s empowerment in rural India.
