Dhanbad, November 10, 2025:
In a major step toward strengthening grassroots democracy and advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat, the Indian Institute of Technology (ISM), Dhanbad, in collaboration with the Department of Panchayati Raj, Government of Jharkhand, has inaugurated a five-day Leadership and Management Development Programme (MDP) for Panchayati Raj functionaries at its Executive Development Centre (EDC).
The programme, scheduled from November 10 to 14, 2025, is part of a broader capacity-building initiative that includes two additional batches to be held from November 17–21 and November 24–28. Through these sessions, around 100 Panchayati Raj representatives from across Jharkhand will receive specialized training. This follows the success of a national-level MDP organized in April 2025 in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj, which had drawn participants from all over India.
Spearheaded by Prof. Rajni Singh, Dean (Corporate Communications) and Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, the programme underscores IIT (ISM) Dhanbad’s continued commitment to linking academic excellence with grassroots governance. Prof. Singh, the programme coordinator, has conceptualized this initiative to nurture capable, confident, and technologically empowered local representatives.
In her inaugural address, Prof. Singh highlighted that the programme’s core objective is to foster enlightened, efficient, and forward-looking governance. She said,
“This programme is not merely a training intervention but a transformative journey — an effort to energize Panchayati Raj institutions as engines of inclusive development. Through a blend of academic rigor and experiential learning, we aim to create local leaders who embody transparency, empathy, and innovation.”
The inaugural session was graced by Prof. Dheeraj Kumar, Deputy Director, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, who commended the initiative as a model for how higher education can contribute directly to rural transformation. Prof. Keka Ojha, Dean, Continuing Education Programme, also emphasized the importance of such leadership programmes in driving sustainable development.
Prof. Niladri Das and Prof. Rashmi Singh, the co-coordinators of the programme, expressed that such training initiatives create ripples of positive change and accelerate social transformation.
The current batch includes 27 participants, of whom 90 percent are women, representing districts such as Hazaribagh, Giridih, Pakur, Bokaro, Chatra, and Dhanbad—a reflection of the growing influence of women in local governance.
The first day featured sessions led by Prof. Rajni Singh on Leadership and Communication and Project Planning for Village Development, which integrated academic frameworks with field experiences. Participants actively engaged in discussions, shared community insights, and explored replicable models for village-level transformation.
Deepa Devi, Pramukh of Dadi Block, Hazaribagh, shared,
“The sessions are practical and deeply inspiring. I wish I had the opportunity to attend such training during my initial days in office.”
Saryu Saw, Upramukh of Bishugarh Block, added,
“This training is helping us understand the importance of digital tools and transparency in governance. It’s motivating to learn directly from IIT (ISM) experts.”
The upcoming sessions, to be conducted by Prof. Niladri Das and Prof. Rashmi Singh, will cover diverse dimensions of Panchayati Raj governance, including financial management, project evaluation, and digital transformation, ensuring that participants develop both strategic and operational perspectives on good governance.
Guided by the visionary leadership of Prof. Rajni Singh, this Management Development Programme stands as a testament to IIT (ISM) Dhanbad’s enduring mission — to empower grassroots leaders through knowledge, innovation, and participatory governance.
