Tirupati: Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, Shri Kapil Moreshwar Patil, inaugurated the three-day National Workshop on ‘Healthy Village towards Healthier Tomorrow’ at Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam in Tirupati. The workshop, a collaborative effort involving prominent figures, aimed at exploring strategies and initiatives to promote health and well-being in rural areas. The event was graced by the presence of Deputy Chief Minister and Panchayat Raj & Rural Development Minister, Shri Budi Mutyala Naidu, and Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Shri Vivek Bharadwaj.
In his keynote address, Shri Kapil Moreshwar Patil acknowledged the nation’s forward momentum under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Stressing the transformative power of collaborative efforts, he highlighted the importance of grassroots collaboration and urged a focus on the set nine Goals under LSDGs. The Minister emphasized the commitment to achieving holistic and sustainable development by strategically addressing the themes identified by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
During the workshop, Shri Patil commended the global shift towards carbon neutrality, crediting Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership for India’s remarkable progress. He advocated for the replication of successful models, such as the Palli Gram Panchayat Model initiated in Jammu and Kashmir, to achieve cleaner and healthier rural communities.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Budi Mutyala Naidu shared initiatives undertaken by the State Government, including the construction of Wellness Centres through convergence using MGNREGS funds. The Minister of State for Panchayati Raj and Deputy Chief Minister’s journeys from Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat to their current high offices were presented as inspirations for Panchayat representatives.
Secretary Shri Vivek Bharadwaj highlighted the importance of people-oriented policy formulation for institutionalizing Theme 2 of LSDGs – Healthy Village. He emphasized the role of Gram Panchayats in fostering awareness, enhancing community participation, and ensuring easy access to health services.
The National Workshop serves as a crucial platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and strategizing towards building a healthier tomorrow in alignment with the localisation of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs). The event aims to address specific challenges and opportunities at the grassroots level, with a particular focus on Theme 2 – Healthy Village.