Nagpur, 24th of March 2025 : In a significant initiative to strengthen rural governance aimed at empowering Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), IIM Nagpur commenced a five-day Leadership Development Programme (LDP) for PRI functionaries—Sarpanch, Gram Panchayat. It is the key part of the Rashtriya Gram Swarajya Abhiyan (RGSA), an initiative by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, GoI, in collaboration with the State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD), YASHADA, Pune to build the capacity of PRI functionaries.
In the beginning of the inauguration, Mr. Vivek Bharadwaj, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, GoI, conveyed his message through a recorded address. He highlighted the importance of leadership development in transforming PRIs into dynamic and effective centers for local self-governance. He connected “today’s Panchayat Raj with an old-day tax system and how people used to live a nature-oriented sustainable life. He mentioned that ethics is the main basis of each system. Nobody could stop becoming a superpower if we created an ethical and sustainable development system.”
Smt. VijaylaxmiBidari, IAS, Divisional Commissioner, Nagpur, formally inaugurated the program, emphasizing the need to reimagine Panchayats as vibrant hubs of community development. She congratulated IIM Nagpur for taking such nice initiatives.
The event also witnessed the presence of Mr. MallinathKalshetti, IAS (Retd.), Director, SIRD YASHADA, Pune.He said,RGSA’s focus on promoting local self-governance by strengthening the institutional framework of Panchayats enables them to serve as catalysts for economic growth.
The LDP, from 24thto 28thMarch 2025, is designed to equip over 100 senior Sarpanch from Gram Panchayats across Maharashtra with leadership skills and management techniques. It will empower them to handle better the challenges they face in local governance and community development.
“It focuses on localization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the grassroots level to fostera greater synergy between governance, community needs, and economic opportunities, said Prof. Anoop Kumar IAS (Retired) & Professor of Practice at IIM Nagpur.
“It is an iconic program in which IIM Nagpur serves directly to the bottom of the pyramid,” said Professor Neelkanth Dhone at IIM Nagpur. He said, “this LDP is aligned with the vision of PM Narendra Modi’s dream of Vikasit Bharat 2047.”IIM Nagpur was entrusted with conducting this crucial training following the success of a similar program by IIM Ahmedabad in 2023. The collaboration between IIM Nagpur, MOPR, and SIRD marks a significant step in integrating advanced management practices with the Panchayati Raj Institutions’ operational needs.
With this initiative, IIM Nagpur paves the way for a new era of leadership in rural governance, combining educational excellence with practical application for India’s rural heartland development.
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