Dhanbad: The Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad, in collaboration with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, inaugurated a week-long Management Development Programme (MDP) aimed at empowering rural governance.
The programme, held at the Smart Classroom in the TEXMiN i²h building, has attracted elected representatives and Panchayat functionaries from states including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Bihar, and Jharkhand.
The inaugural session featured Prof. Prem Vrat, Chairman of IIT-ISM Board of Governors, who emphasized the importance of trust and credibility in leadership. Prof. Sukumar Mishra, Director of IIT-ISM, highlighted the synergy between policy and technology, urging participants to view the MDP as a platform for mutual learning.
Prof. Dheeraj Kumar, Deputy Director, noted the exchange of knowledge between academia and grassroots leaders.
The programme’s objectives, outlined by Prof. Rajni Singh, Dean of Corporate Communications, are to cultivate enlightened, efficient, and tech-savvy leadership at the grassroots level. The first day’s sessions included discussions on rural electrification, effective communication, and Gram Panchayat management. Future sessions will cover topics such as rural healthcare, digital marketing, financial management, and the role of Gram Panchayats in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
The week will conclude on April 11 with a valedictory session, which will include discussions on rural skilling and local livelihoods, with Amitabh Ranjan, Registrar of the Indian Institute of Public Administration, as a key speaker.
Through this programme, IIT-ISM reaffirms its commitment to fostering rural transformation and participatory governance, playing a vital role in the vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).
