Quality Council of India, QCI, celebrated Panchayati Raj Diwas in collaboration with the Ministry of Jal Shakti with a programme themed ‘Leadership for Swachh & Sujal Grams’.

Organized as a part of Sarpanch Samvaad, an initiative by the Quality Council of India, the day-long event spotlighted the role of grassroots leaders in driving quality-led transformation in rural India. It brought together over 200 sarpanchs, policy leaders, subject matter experts, and senior government officials from across the country.

Following successful engagements under the Sarpanch Samvaad initiative, this special edition served as a dynamic platform to showcase grassroots efforts, encourage peer learning, and align panchayat-level development with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Reflecting on QCI’s commitment to the grassroots, Union Minister of Jal Shakti,Shri C.R. Paatil, stated, “Sarpanch Samvaad by QCI is a powerful platform where Sarpanchs can directly raise their ground-level concerns, which the Ministry will take forward for resolution. To fulfil the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for a Viksit Bharat by 2047, Sarpanchs must champion Swachh and Sujal Grams through initiatives like rainwater harvesting. The voice of Bharat begins at the village, and it must echo at the top.”

Sessions throughout the day covered key issues ranging from water security and sanitation sustainability to the roadmap for Swachh and Sujal Grams, with active participation from sarpanchs across the country.

The event was graced by eminent dignitaries, including Shri Ashok K.K Meena, Secretary, Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti; Shri Jaxay Shah, Chairperson, Quality Council of India; Shri Chakravarthy T. Kannan, Secretary General, QCI; and Shri Himanshu Patel, Co-opted Member, Governing Body, QCI.

Local governance empowerment through Sarpanch Samvaad promotes water security and sanitation sustainability at the village level. Quality Council of India, with the Ministry of Jal Shakti, held a Sarpanch Samvaad edition titled Leadership for Swachh & Sujal Grams to empower sarpanchs in advancing water security and sanitation sustainability. The programme gathered village leaders, experts, and officials to showcase grassroots initiatives, promote peer learning, and channel village-level concerns to central authorities for resolution, with practical emphasis on measures such as rainwater harvesting and aligning panchayat planning with the Viksit Bharat development vision.