New Delhi, 13 August(HS): In a landmark recognition of grassroots governance, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) is set to host 210 Panchayat leaders from all 28 States and Union Territories as Special Guests at the nation’s 79th Independence Day celebrations. Accompanied by their spouses and nodal officers, the delegation will total 425 participants, converging at the iconic Red Fort to witness the historic ceremony on 15 August 2025.
The celebration begins a day earlier with a grand felicitation ceremony on 14 August in the national capital, where the spotlight will be on rural changemakers who have revolutionised local governance. The event will be graced by Union Minister of Panchayati Raj Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Union Minister of State Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, and Secretary, MoPR Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, alongside other senior dignitaries.
This year’s theme – “आत्मनिर्भर पंचायत, विकसित भारत की पहचान” (Self-reliant Panchayat: The Hallmark of a Developed India) – encapsulates the vision of self-sufficient, empowered village councils as the bedrock of a prosperous nation.
Major Highlights:
- Unveiling of “SabhaSaar” – a cutting-edge AI-powered governance platform designed to transform Panchayat-level decision-making and citizen engagement.
- Release of the 16th edition of Gramoday Sankalp magazine, showcasing grassroots success stories and governance innovations.
- Honouring Women Trailblazers – A significant number of honourees are elected women representatives (EWRs) who have driven transformative change in areas such as infrastructure, public services, sanitation, and inclusive community projects.
From ensuring the universal reach of flagship initiatives like Har Ghar Jal Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin, and Mission Indradhanush, to conceptualising homegrown solutions tailored to local challenges, these leaders embody the resilience and ingenuity powering rural India’s growth story.
With the Red Fort as the backdrop and the Tricolour soaring above, the nation will honour not just individuals, but the very spirit of self-reliance, innovation, and participatory democracy that defines India’s Panchayati Raj system.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
