A three-day training of trainers (ToT), on leadership was conducted at Tezpur University conducted from December 14-16, 2020.
The training programme was organized by the Centre for Public Policy and Governance (CPPG), Tezpur University in collaboration with the State Institute of Panchayat and Rural Development (SIPRD), and UNICEF Assam.
The main objective of the training was to develop an action plan and agenda for the rollout of the training on leadership with the elected representatives.
The training programme was inaugurated on December 14 by Pabitra Kalita, joint director (training), State Institute of Panchayat and Rural Development, Assam.
Dr Rajeev K. Doley, director, Center for Inclusive Development, Tezpur University, attended the programme as the chief guest along with Dr. Madhulika Jonathan, chief of UNICEF Field Office Assam as the guest of honour.
In his speech, Pabitra Kalita highlighted the objective of the programme, said a Tezpur University press statement.
He said the training of master trainers will further capacitate elected panchayat representatives as sector-specific enablers in Animal Husbandry, Forestation, Agricultural and Horticultural Practices, Agricultural produces and markets.
Kalita emphasized the commitment on devising an action plan to roll out the workshop to create vibrant panchayats reaching 26,000 Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members by 2024.
He concluded by saying that a collective effort must be made to ignite the leadership competencies of the elected representatives to act as catalyst of change.
Dr. Jonathan spoke on how one can move towards more women and children-centric discussions and planning to be included in gram panchayat development plan campaign.
Referring to the National Family Health Survey-5 data, she stated that Assam has shown improvement in indicators such as immunization and institutional delivery, but deterioration in other indicators such as malnutrition and child marriage is a worry.
She stated that change has taken place and there is a need to work towards holistic development of children, the statement said.