Panchayati Raj and Unnati Bharat Abhiyan has come together to empower gram panchayats and make SDGs local
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) have come together in a transformative partnership to strengthen grassroots governance and help localise the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Led by IIT Delhi as the National Coordinating Institute for UBA, the collaboration envisages an integrated relationship where around 15,000 students from over 3,822 participating institutions work hand in hand with the Gram Panchayat (GPDP) to shape and implement their Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) for the financial year 2025-26. Under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, these students from higher education institutions will actively participate in special gram sabhas to shape the Panchayat Development Scheme on October 2, 2024, as part of the Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas Abhiyan of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
At the core of this initiative is to link academic education with the challenges of the real world. The People’s Plan Campaign (PPC) is set to begin on October 2, 202.
This initiative is in sync with the vision of “New India” (New India) and supports government programmes such as “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” and “Vishit Bharat”, which reflect a strong commitment to building a self-reliant and developed nation. The supportive relationship between the UBA and the MOPR allows for an exchange where students are exposed to real-world governance to have a deeper understanding of rural challenges and the complexities of local governance, while panchayats get the professional support they need to further their development agenda.
This collaboration ensures that GPDP not only reflects the real needs of the community but is also enriched in innovative, sustainable, and creative solutions that help these students develop. It reflects the core of the mantra “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas”, with a focus on collective progress as well as the need for inclusive, shared development.
These students will assist the Gram Panchayat.
The initiative also serves as a testimony to the panchayati raj ministry’s commitment to localising the SDGs, ensuring that development at the grassroots level is based on the aspirations of the local community and innovative solutions provided by the youth mindset. It offers a glimpse into the future of governance in India – where the line between the classroom and the community becomes blurred and the country moves forward together, empowered by knowledge and innovation.
Together, THE MOPR and UBA are setting the stage for a new era in grassroots governance, reflecting the true potential of India’s youth and the collective strength of community-based development. This partnership is not just about strengthening governance; It is about nurturing a generation of citizens actively engaged in shaping the future of the country, making VCs. read more
