Arun Maira has an unusual combination of experience as a hands-on leader in the business, public, and social sectors, as well as a consultant to leaders. He is a thought leader on subjects of leadership and systems transformation. He has written several books on institutional transformation and the future of India, including ‘A Billion Fireflies:’ Critical Conversations to Shape a New Post-Pandemic World; ‘Discordant Democrats:’ Five Steps to Consensus, ‘Transforming Systems:’ Why the World needs a New Ethical Toolkit; and ‘Listening for Well-Being:’ Conversations with People Not Like Us. He has produced far-sighted scenarios for the future of India with citizens’ participation in 2000, 2007, and 2013. The insights from those scenarios are becoming very relevant today. Arun was a member of India’s Planning Commission from 2009-14, before which he was Chairman of the Boston Consulting Group India, and previously had worked with the Tata Group in India and abroad for 25 years.

Ms Rashmi Shukla Sharma joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1984. She is an alumnus of Delhi and Princeton universities from where she earned M.Phil. (Psychology) and a Master’s degree in Public Administration, respectively. She has held senior positions in the Union Government and Government of Madhya Pradesh, apart from various field-level posts in the early part of her career. In the course of her service, she acquired in-depth knowledge and experience in School Education and Local Government. She is the author (with Vimala Ramachandran) of The Elementary Education System in India: A Field Based Investigation of Institutional Structures, Processes and Dynamics (2009), Routledge Press, New Delhi, and Local Government in India: Policy and Practice (2009), Manohar Publications, New Delhi, besides many papers the Economic and Political Weekly and elsewhere. She retired early from government service to take up research and teaching related to governance and public policy. She is also a board member of TRIF.

Narendra Kailash Mujhalda, a young and visionary leader, holds the esteemed position of Sarpanch in Kharjana. His comprehensive approach and dedication have paved the way for transformative changes in the Gram Panchayat.

Narendra’s initial efforts were focused on enhancing the quality of education and essential facilities in schools. He achieved an impressive 90% student registration and continuous follow-up in primary and secondary schools, promoting awareness about education and filling vacant classrooms. Additionally, he initiated the distribution and consumption of Take-Home Rations (THR) to improve the services of the Anganwadi Centers.

Addressing local conflicts was another significant challenge, and Narendra took the lead in ensuring that the Panchayat became the primary forum for resolving grievances and conflicts. With the establishment of Shanti Samiti under the PESA Act, many cases are now resolved within the Panchayat, fostering peace and harmony in the community.
Recognizing the importance of collaboration, Narendra ensured the inclusion of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the development of the Gram Panchayat. Regular SHG meetings and their active participation have contributed to the overall progress of the GP.

As an aspirational leader, Narendra has a clear vision for the future of Kharjana. He plans to address rumors spread within the Panchayat and instill faith in its practices and processes. He envisions the Gram Sabha as the nodal point for addressing individual and collective needs, encouraging greater participation from villagers. Moreover, he aims to enhance health and education facilities in the Panchayat, further improving the well-being of the community.

Drawing inspiration from the model village Hivrebazar, Narendra Kailash Mujhalda strives to turn Kharjana into a thriving and progressive community, setting an example for other regions to follow. With his dedication, passion, and collaborative spirit, he is determined to bring about positive and lasting change in the Gram Panchayat during his tenure as Sarpanch.

Shri Vikas Anand ji is an esteemed civil servant belonging to the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) 2002 batch, known for his dedicated service and commitment to public welfare. Presently, he holds the prestigious position of Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, where he plays a pivotal role in shaping policies that empower and strengthen grassroots governance in India.

Education has been a cornerstone of his illustrious career. Shri Vikas Anand ji pursued his higher education at renowned institutions, showcasing his academic prowess and thirst for knowledge. He earned a Master’s degree in Technology from the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, where he honed his technical acumen and problem-solving skills.

Seeking a broader understanding of governance and public policy, he furthered his education with a second master’s degree from the distinguished John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. This educational experience at one of the world’s leading universities provided him with invaluable insights into global governance practices and policy formulation.

Throughout his tenure as a civil servant, Shri Vikas Anand ji has demonstrated exemplary leadership, innovative thinking, and a deep sense of commitment to public service. His contributions to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj have been instrumental in advancing decentralization and empowering local self-government institutions, promoting equitable development and grassroots participation.

Shri Vikas Anand ji’s unwavering dedication to his duties and his passion for bringing positive change to society have earned him respect and admiration from colleagues and citizens alike. With his vast knowledge, administrative expertise, and strong moral compass, he continues to contribute significantly to the progress and betterment of the nation.

Rajesh Gupta is a highly dedicated and accomplished education professional, serving as the Block Resource Coordinator at the Block Education Centre in Rajpur. With an impressive academic background that includes a B.Sc. in Mathematics, an M.A. in History, and a B.Ed., Rajesh possesses a unique blend of analytical and historical knowledge.

Throughout his career, Rajesh has made significant contributions to the education sector. In 2014, he spearheaded the School Chalo Abhiyaan, an intensive awareness campaign across 54 villages in the Block, leading to a remarkable surge in school enrollments. Recognizing the importance of parental involvement, he organized BCC activities and choupal meetings to support children’s academic journeys.

Rajesh’s passion for creating exceptional learning environments also led him to coordinate the ‘हमारी शाला सबसे अच्छी’ campaign and collaborate with the Room to Read NGO for a ‘use of library in the schools’ initiative. Moreover, he actively engaged with various Civil Society Organizations, including TRIF, to enhance School Management Committee (SMC) meetings and prioritize education in village-level planning and development.

With his unwavering commitment to educational advancement and community welfare, Rajesh Gupta continues to be a driving force in shaping the future of education in Block Rajpur.

Chandra Pratap Singh Rajawat is an esteemed socio-political practitioner, researcher, and elected representative with a remarkable 24 years of experience in managing diverse roles and responsibilities in Local Governance, Rural Development, and Stakeholder Management.

Throughout his career, Chandra Pratap has been involved in various impactful projects and initiatives. He managed the CSR Midstream Pipeline and Offshore Operations for Vedanta, Cairn Oil & Gas, a joint venture with ONGC & GoI, overseeing CSR operations in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Tamilnadu.

He also served as the State Coordinator for Microfinance & Enterprise Development under the Ministry of Panchayat & Rural Development of GoMP, contributing to the Madhya Pradesh Rural Livelihoods Project.

Chandra Pratap’s expertise extends to his previous role as a District Project Officer in the Madhya Pradesh Rural Livelihoods Project, where he made significant strides in rural development.

Before that, he worked as a Specialist in Social Development with Gramin Vikas Trust (KRIBHCO), funded by DFID, UK, focusing on livelihood enhancement programs in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

His dedication and commitment to community development are evident from his work as a Community Organizer for KRIBHCO’s Indo British Rainfed Farming Project, emphasizing participatory sustainable livelihoods development in Gujarat.

As the Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Sanwansi, Chandra Pratap envisions re-establishing the credibility of the GP as an effective local governance institution. He aims to lead the Gram Panchayat as a Water Surplus entity through appropriate water resource management and stimulate economic activities and opportunities through eco-tourism.

Chandra Pratap is determined to make the Gram Panchayat self-sustainable through asset generation while ensuring proper service delivery through effective coordination and close monitoring. His vision also encompasses achieving 100% coverage of Social Security schemes and promoting health and hygiene for the welfare of the community.

Laxmi Suresh Khanna is a trailblazing community member, serving as an Elected Panch in Nandgaon Village, Rajpur Block, Barwani District, MP. In a male-dominant sector of politics, Laxmi, along with 10 other determined female members, established a powerful political identity in her Gram Panchayat (GP). Breaking barriers and defying traditional norms, they achieved an extraordinary dream, proving that ordinary women possess great strength.

Despite her significant achievements, Laxmi faced numerous challenges in her role. The traditional perception of a male leader leading politically posed hurdles, even though the community elected her for the position. While they have gained acceptance through votes, establishing a GP mainly run by women remains a work in progress. Engaging all women voters in Gram Panchayat work also poses a challenge.

To overcome these challenges, Laxmi became a governance change vector. Her competence in GP and standing committee work, as well as her proficiency in the GPDP process and tracking, have been instrumental in driving positive change. She mobilized women for Gram Sabha meetings and educated them about their rights, ensuring their active participation in the GP process. Regular GP meetings and transparency became the norm with women actively involved.

Laxmi’s vision in her present role is to continue empowering her community and promoting education for girls. She played a pivotal role in forming the standing committee and now shares her governance knowledge with other members. They are advocating for schools up to the 12th grade in their village, particularly for girls to have access to continued education. Additionally, she aims to establish learning centers for other school dropouts, ensuring education opportunities for all.

Furthermore, Laxmi aspires to provide essential health facilities to the villagers through a sub-center, contributing to the overall welfare of the community. In alignment with the current year’s GPDP, she remains committed to working towards the betterment of her community, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of those she serves.

Sarita Devi is a dedicated Sahiya Sathi, holding a crucial position in her community at Horhap Village, Namkum Block, Ranchi, Jharkhand. Her achievements exemplify her unwavering commitment to the welfare of women, children, and the elderly in her village.

One of her most notable accomplishments is saving the lives of women and children during Institutional Delivery. She demonstrated exceptional bravery and quick thinking when she provided life-saving mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing to a newborn in the absence of a Skilled Birth Attendant.

Beyond maternal and child health, Sarita has worked extensively for the elderly in her village. Her efforts have resulted in numerous elderly villagers gaining access to old age pensions and ration cards, bringing them much-needed support and security.

However, her role as a care provider also comes with challenges. Ensuring complete ANC (Antenatal Care) for all pregnant women and complete immunization for children remains a persistent challenge, as some cases face delays due to household issues. Additionally, handling extreme cases of diarrhea outbreaks in the village and obtaining timely referral support can be daunting. Moreover, she faces resistance from certain individuals in the community, making it challenging to navigate such situations.

Despite these hurdles, Sarita exhibits resilience and determination. She leads by example in her household, demonstrating healthy habits to address anemia and malnutrition in women. Instead of being discouraged by unsupportive individuals, she chooses to counsel and engage them to promote positive change.

In her present role, Sarita envisions a village where no one goes hungry and all essential services are accessible to every person. She advocates for extending benefits like PDS, pensions, and healthcare to everyone, aiming to break the cycle of poverty in her community. She encourages people to be productive and not waste their time, fostering a sense of empowerment and self-reliance among the villagers.

Sarita Devi’s unwavering dedication and compassion have made her a vital asset to her community, inspiring others to work together towards a brighter and more inclusive future.

Jasma Kanoje is a proactive and influential community member, deeply committed to empowering women in her region. Recognizing the challenges faced by women, she actively voiced their concerns in Gramsabha, Village Organization (VO), and the Community Livelihood Forum (CLF). Her dedication and leadership qualities earned her the position of CLF Adhyakshy for Jeevan Jyoti CLF, representing 16 villages in the Palsud cluster.

Under Jasma’s guidance, Jeevan Jyoti CLF made significant strides towards women’s empowerment. Producer Groups were established in each village, engaging in public procurement and microbusiness through processing units. The CLF also shared extraordinary success stories in health and education, contributing to the development of the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) and ensuring the saturation of government schemes.

However, the journey wasn’t without challenges. Acceptance from the community towards Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and their work posed a significant obstacle. Jasma tackled this by tirelessly visiting all 16 villages, creating awareness about SHGs, and gradually increasing acceptance. The allocation of loans to needy members further helped overcome resistance from families. As a CLF, they also advocate for their demands by sending letters to various government departments. Currently, they are striving to establish a CLF Bhavan and are actively approaching concerned authorities for support.

In her present role, Jasma Kanoje envisions creating business opportunities to increase the income of all women in her cluster. Her commitment to women’s empowerment, combined with her strategic approach, continues to inspire positive change in the community. Through her efforts, she seeks to uplift the lives of women and foster sustainable economic growth, making a lasting impact on the entire region.

Gayatri Solanki is a dedicated Anganwadi Worker (AWW) in Singhana, Manawar, Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh. Over the span of 16 years, she has achieved remarkable milestones and positively impacted the lives of many in her community.

In the early years of her career, Gayatri faced challenges in organizing Village Health, Sanitation, and Nutrition Days (VHSNDs) due to a lack of infrastructure. However, her persistent efforts and regular recommendations to supervisors and officials led to her obtaining a separate room in the ICDS office, ensuring smooth functioning and quality service delivery.

Recognizing the struggles of some families who migrated, leaving their children alone, Gayatri took initiative to ensure no child went hungry. Using her stock of supplementary nutrition, she started feeding these children daily, continuing the practice for many others in need.

Her dedication to education is evident through her efforts to re-admit two young girls, Nandini and Varsha, who had dropped out after the 5th class. She also actively promotes Ladli Laxmi Yojna registration for newborn girls and initiated C-SAM screening and NRC referrals through coordination with NHM staff.

During the challenging times of COVID, Gayatri collaborated with the nearest sub-centre ANM to spread awareness about COVID vaccinations and quarantine facilities.

Despite the progress she has achieved, Gayatri has faced challenges, including the lack of adequate infrastructure and transportation. Convincing parents to avail the services of Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) also remains a hurdle.

To cope with these challenges, Gayatri built linkages with local Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Village Organizations (VOs), allowing her to conduct home visits and reach beneficiaries more effectively. She also appreciates the support of ANMs in her area, which has facilitated the delivery of quality services to the community.

In her present role, Gayatri Solanki envisions larger goals for providing adequate services to all. She aspires to create a playful learning environment within AWCs, similar to private play schools, to enhance children’s learning and make it enjoyable. Additionally, she aims to establish stronger ties between AWCs and schools, emphasizing AWCs as the primary point of education for children before direct school admission.

Through her unwavering dedication and forward-thinking approach, Gayatri continues to make a significant difference in her community, setting an inspiring example for others to follow.

Nirmala Meda is a dedicated and passionate community leader, serving as the VO (Village Organization) Leader in Petlawad, Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh. Her relentless efforts have focused on combatting Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and promoting gender equality in the community.

Nirmala’s achievements in addressing GBV have been significant. Collaborating with various stakeholders such as NAK (Nari Adalat Kendra), LAK (Lok Adalat Kendra), Local Police, and One Stop Center, she has been actively creating awareness about gender discrimination. Her work with LAK has provided crucial support to multiple SHG members who have faced GBV, offering them a strong support system.

However, her role as a leader comes with challenges. One of the main obstacles she faces is the lack of support from the community while assisting SHG members who are victims of GBV. Additionally, government departments and the Panchayat’s assistance on issues related to entitlement and gender violence has been insufficient.

To cope with these challenges, Nirmala adopts several proactive strategies. She regularly engages with Local Police to seek help in addressing gender-related issues. Moreover, she actively participates in the Gender Forum at both Panchayat and Block levels, where she advocates for community issues related to gender and entitlement. Being part of the SDM’s Task Force at the Block Level allows her to raise these important matters effectively.

In her present role, Nirmala’s vision is to empower all SHG members in Petlawad to fight against gender discrimination and access government entitlement schemes. She aims to provide assistance to SHG members in obtaining land rights, fostering economic independence and gender equality within the community.

Through her unwavering dedication and advocacy efforts, Nirmala Meda continues to make a meaningful impact in addressing gender-based challenges and promoting social justice in Petlawad. Her leadership and commitment inspire others to join the cause and work towards a more inclusive and equitable society.

Ms Geeta Mahanand is a dynamic Sarpanch of Risama Panchayat of Durg District. She was one of the 9 Sarpanch selected from all over the country to participate in Sarpanch Samwad. Her initiatives on making her panchayat Child friendly and Clean has been an example for others to follow.