
Padma Bhushan Dr. C. P. Thakur
Former Union Minister, Government of India
A village is not merely a geographical boundary, but a centre of collective consciousness.
True democracy smiles when even the person standing in the last row of the village feels that they have a seat at the table where decisions are made.
The Gram Sansad (Village Parliament Council) is not just a place for discussion, but a platform for collective deliberation where the focus is not merely on accounting for resources, but on renewing trust. This is why the Gram Sansad becomes the foundation for aligning every decision with the village’s land, needs, and public sentiment.
When the Panchayat combines technological expertise with the traditional wisdom of villagers, the wheel of development becomes inclusive. The most crucial aspect of this developmental journey is community ownership. When people take responsibility for their own plans, water sources, resources, and production systems, dependency on external support reduces, and the local economy becomes stronger. The deeper this sense of ownership grows within rural society, the better the village preserves its identity, culture, and resources while simultaneously creating new opportunities.
A nation can stand with true pride only when its villages become self-reliant. Our journey begins with decentralisation of power and continues toward the mental and economic upliftment of every citizen.
— Padma Bhushan Dr. C. P. Thakur



