President of India Presents National Panchayat Awards
President of India Presents National Panchayat Awards. The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, conferred the National Panchayat Awards 2024 to 45 awardees at a ceremony held in New Delhi today, recognizing their outstanding contributions to sustainable and inclusive development across various categories.
President of India Presents National Panchayat Awards
President Highlights the Role of Panchayats in Nation-Building
Speaking at the occasion, the President emphasized that 64% of India’s population resides in villages, making rural development a critical aspect of India’s progress. She underscored that the empowerment of villages and villagers is essential for transforming India into a developed nation.
- The government, in the last decade, has implemented serious efforts for strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs).
- She stated that the foundation of a developed India rests on self-reliant and capable local governance bodies.
The President urged Panchayats to develop their own sources of revenue to achieve self-reliance. This, she remarked, will bring self-confidence to Gram Sabhas and further strengthen the nation.
Congratulating the Winners of National Panchayat Awards
The President congratulated the awardees, recognizing their dedication and hard work. She expressed confidence that the awards will inspire other Gram Panchayats to make greater strides toward village development.
“This award is a testimony of your efforts. I hope it inspires others to contribute meaningfully to rural development,” said the President.
The National Panchayat Awards were presented in the following categories:
- Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar
- Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar
- Gram Urja Swaraj Vishesh Panchayat Puraskar
- Carbon Neutral Vishesh Panchayat Puraskar
- Panchayat Kshamta Nirmaan Sarvottam Sansthan Puraskar
These awards aim to promote poverty alleviation, water conservation, health, sanitation, governance, child welfare, women empowerment, and environmental sustainability.
Women Empowerment through Panchayati Raj
The President highlighted the significant role of women in Panchayati Raj institutions. She noted that women representatives are leading positive changes at the grassroots level. However, she pointed out that in some areas, the family members of women representatives perform their duties.
- She urged women leaders to establish themselves as independent decision-makers and eradicate such practices.
- She encouraged them to work fearlessly and efficiently as elected representatives.
“Women representatives must lead from the front and set an example for others,” she remarked.
Ensuring Fair Panchayat Elections
The President emphasized the importance of timely and fair Panchayat elections. She expressed concerns about electoral violence, stating that elections should always be held in a cordial and peaceful atmosphere.
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She reminded the gathering that villagers choose Panchayat representatives for the welfare of the village.
- Elections make public representatives accountable to their communities.
“The election process must be fair and conducted without violence to ensure harmony in villages,” she stated.
Accountability and Transparency in Governance
The President reiterated that Panchayati Raj aims to increase transparency and make representatives accountable to the people. She said that voters elect representatives with trust, and it is the responsibility of the elected leaders to uphold that trust.
- She urged Panchayat leaders to maintain honesty and integrity in their conduct.
- She also encouraged them to resolve local disputes at the Panchayat level, which would save villagers time and money and reduce the burden on courts.
“Resolving disputes locally is both your right and duty,” she reminded the representatives.
National Panchayat Awards: Recognizing Excellence
The National Panchayat Awards are designed to recognize and reward exceptional performance by Panchayats in areas such as:
- Poverty alleviation and health initiatives
- Child welfare and women empowerment
- Water conservation and sanitation
- Infrastructure development
- Social justice and governance
- Environment-friendly practices
The winners were applauded for their sustainable and inclusive development initiatives that align with the government’s goals for rural transformation.
Conclusion
The National Panchayat Awards 2024 ceremony celebrated the relentless efforts of Panchayati Raj institutions in driving grassroots development. The President’s address highlighted the importance of self-reliant Panchayats, women’s empowerment, and transparent governance for achieving a developed and inclusive India.
As Panchayats continue to play a pivotal role in rural development, these awards serve as a benchmark of excellence and inspire further progress towards a sustainable future for India’s villages.
