The national conference on overall district development convened in Patna, drawing participation from senior administrators, policymakers, and experts nationwide. The event served as a platform for sharing insights on good governance and sustainable development strategies. Discussions revolved around enhancing transparency, optimizing direct benefit transfers, adopting a holistic governance approach, and ensuring the comprehensive implementation of key welfare programs.
District Magistrate of Patna, Thiagarajan S.M., showcased an innovative model designed to tackle hearing loss in children. The model, which utilized Anganwadi infrastructure and inter-departmental collaboration, positively impacted numerous children without any additional financial burden.
Dr. Varnali Deka, Director of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, shared experiences from Northeast India, highlighting the ‘No One Left Behind’ initiative in Assam’s Nalbari district. Platforms like ‘Udyam Gosthi’ played a crucial role in promoting local entrepreneurship, thus contributing to sustainable development within the district.
Namrata Vrishni, District Magistrate of Bikaner, Rajasthan, discussed the challenges of the desert region and provided information on initiatives, including local language education, electrification, and the installation of smart TV systems at the Anganwadi level.
Director (Sports) Mahendra Kumar presented the significant advancements in Bihar’s sports landscape, revealing the development of over 8,000 sports grounds across the state under MGNREGA. He emphasized Bihar’s emergence as a key player in the sports sector, supported by initiatives such as scholarships, talent scouting, hosting international competitions, and infrastructure development.
The fifth session was chaired by Narmadeshwar Lal, Principal Secretary of the Sugarcane Industries Department, Bihar Government. In this session, Ravindra Kumar, District Magistrate of Azamgarh, shared the successes of welfare programs like the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and nutrition programs for women.
Prashasti Parekh, the District Magistrate of Aravalli district, Gujarat, presented the successful outcomes from the integration of schemes such as PM-Jan Arogya Yojana, Poshan 2.0, Har Ghar Jal, Matru Vandana Yojana, and PM Awas Yojana.
Yashpal Meena, former District Magistrate of Vaishali, detailed how the ‘Apna Panchayat, Apna Prashasan’ initiative fortified transparency and accountability at the village level.
Shubha Kalyana, the District Magistrate of Tumakuru district, Karnataka, shared experiences related to strengthening maternal and child health services, promoting institutional deliveries, and empowering women through digital payments.
The conference underscored the transformative impact of district-level leadership, especially when supported by state and central government policies, in ensuring people-centric and effective development.