Udupi: “India is a country of villages — if the villages develop, the nation develops. Village development was Rajiv Gandhi’s dream,” said Lakshmi Hebbalkar, Minister for Women and Child Development and Udupi District In-charge Minister, while inaugurating the renovated Sabha Bhawan of Mazur Gram Panchayat.
The event, organised by Udupi Zilla Panchayat and Kapu Taluk Panchayat, also marked the launch of several development works and the distribution of welfare facilities.
Hebbalkar stressed the importance of keeping grassroots governance free from politics.
“There will be no party symbols in Gram Panchayat elections, because politics should not interfere in Panchayat functioning. Panchayat members and officials carry the important responsibility of serving the community, which enables effective governance, community participation, and sustainable development,” she said.
She recalled the vision of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who implemented the decentralisation system, believing that true development begins with empowered villages. She also noted that Dr. Manmohan Singh further strengthened Panchayati Raj institutions during his tenure, while the NREGA scheme significantly improved Panchayat finances.
“Earlier, Gram Panchayats struggled to pay even streetlight bills. Today, they handle projects worth crores of rupees, showcasing their vital role in rural progress,” Hebbalkar added.
The function was attended by Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivasa Pujari, MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty, Legislative Council Member Kishore Kumar Puttur, District Guarantee Schemes Implementation Committee Chairman Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, District Collector Swarup T.K, Zilla Panchayat CEO Prateek Boyal, Deputy Divisional Officer Rashmi, Tahasildar Dr. Pratibha, and several Panchayat officials.
Mazur Gram Panchayat President Prasad Shetty Valadur, local leaders, and villagers were also present to witness the occasion.
The Minister’s message reinforced the idea that strong Gram Panchayats are the backbone of rural and national development.