As part of the nationwide SADHANA Saptah (2–8 April 2026), a high-level workshop on “Reimagining Capacity Building for Grassroots Governance” was convened in Bhubaneswar today. The event was organized by the Capacity Building Commission in collaboration with the Department of Personnel and Training, Karmayogi Bharat, and the Government of Odisha.

The workshop brought together senior policymakers, government officials, representatives from State Institutes for Rural Development (SIRDs), civil society organizations, and Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to deliberate on strengthening grassroots governance through continuous learning, innovation, and technology-enabled capacity building. The discussions aligned with the overarching theme of SADHANA Saptah—“Technology, Tradition, and Tangible Outcomes”—aimed at fostering empowered and future-ready local institutions.

Addressing the gathering, Rabi Narayan Naik, Minister for Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water, and Rural Development, Government of Odisha, underscored that the strength of Indian democracy lies in its grassroots institutions. He emphasized that achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat necessitates robust and dynamic capacity-building frameworks for PRIs. Highlighting the need to move beyond conventional training models, he advocated for a continuous process of learning, unlearning, and relearning, rooted in human-centric and system-oriented transformation. He also stressed digital empowerment, behavioural change for accountability and empathy, and the importance of localized learning in vernacular languages, alongside data-driven planning and effective implementation of Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs).

R. Balasubramaniam, Member (HR), Capacity Building Commission, elaborated on the transformative vision of Mission Karmayogi, emphasizing a shift from rule-based to role-based governance through competency-driven frameworks. He highlighted the importance of nurturing citizen-centric governance systems to realize the aspirations of a developed India.

Rajesh Kumar Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India also graced the inaugural session.

A key highlight of the workshop was the focus on the “Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi” initiative, a flagship reform under Mission Karmayogi aimed at equipping PRI representatives with competencies, digital tools, and knowledge for effective governance. The initiative integrates structured learning via the iGOT Karmayogi platform, AI-powered advisory tools, mobile-enabled learning, and real-time problem-solving mechanisms, aligned with the “Prashasan Gaon Ki Aur” approach.

In Odisha, the initiative is being piloted in select Gram Panchayats in Koraput and Mayurbhanj districts. Early outcomes indicate enhanced capacities of PRI representatives, increased adoption of digital learning platforms, improved access to real-time advisory support, and greater community participation in governance processes.

The workshop also witnessed the launch of an AI-enabled WhatsApp chatbot for PRI functionaries and structured e-learning modules under the Viksit Panchayat initiative. Experience-sharing sessions, thematic discussions on last-mile governance, and an exhibition of innovative digital tools further enriched the deliberations.

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Subhalaxmi/Swadhin/Manoj

 

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