Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday extended greetings on National Panchayati Raj Day, praising elected representatives across the country for their dedication to public service and nation-building.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “Heartfelt congratulations to the people’s representatives across the country on the occasion of Panchayati Raj Day! Your dedication to public service alongside national service is truly inspiring.” Emphasising people-centric governance, he added that the happiness and welfare of citizens must remain the foremost priority for public representatives.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj will celebrate National Panchayati Raj Day today at Vigyan Bhawan, marking 33 years since the landmark 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act came into force, granting constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) across the country.
As part of the national event, a message from PM Modi will be read out and disseminated through State and Union Territory Panchayati Raj Departments to elected representatives and grassroots functionaries nationwide.
The event will be attended by Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj SP Singh Baghel, along with senior officials including Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj. Elected representatives from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Haryana are also expected to participate.
On the occasion, the government will release the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI)-2.0 report and three publications under the ‘Meri Panchayat Meri Dharohar’ initiative. These include illustrated monographs on the rural heritage of Tripura and Tirupati, as well as “Uttarkashi: Saumya Kashi: The Soul of Himalayan Heritage.”
Extending greetings, Union Home Minister Amit Shah described the Panchayati Raj system as a strong pillar of India’s democracy, noting its role in rural development, governance, social justice, and disaster management. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari also underscored the importance of empowering Panchayats to achieve the vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the role of Panchayati Raj in strengthening democratic traditions and called for collective efforts to realise the vision of self-reliant villages and a developed India.
National Panchayati Raj Day, observed annually on April 24, commemorates the strengthening of grassroots democracy through decentralised governance. Across the country, celebrations will take place at the state, district, block, and Gram Panchayat levels, with Gram Sabha meetings reinforcing participatory democracy.
The day also serves to recognise the role of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system in driving rural development and contributing to the broader vision of a “Viksit Bharat.”
(With agency inputs)
