How Did the 'Sampoornata Abhiyan' Awards Recognize Gujarat's Leading Districts and Blocks?

Gandhinagar, July 29 (NationPress) The Gujarat government organized the 'Sampoornata Abhiyan' awards ceremony at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar to celebrate outstanding achievements in holistic development across the state's aspirational districts and blocks, as stated by government officials on Tuesday.

Thirteen medals — consisting of gold, silver, and bronze — were conferred to districts and blocks that excelled in crucial development indicators set by the NITI Aayog.

Districts such as Dahod and Narmada, along with blocks like Lakhpat, Rapar, and Tharad, received accolades for achieving “saturation” in essential parameters including antenatal care registration, nutrition, soil health, and screenings for diabetes and hypertension, as well as the empowerment of Self-Help Groups.

The Dahod district and seven blocks achieved excellence in all six indicators, securing gold medals, while others were awarded silver and bronze according to their performance.

During the ceremony, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel stressed the importance of high-quality execution and achieving 100 percent beneficiary coverage, encouraging all district and block officials to aim for inclusion in future recognitions.

“Today, citizens expect better services, and it is our duty to meet their rising expectations,” he remarked, emphasizing the role of technology in governance and the significance of 'Gujarat's GRIT' (Gujarat State Institution for Transformation) in propelling development toward Viksit Bharat@2047.

Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary commended the Chief Minister's unwavering focus on inclusive development in marginalized areas.

NITI Aayog's Additional Secretary Rohit Kumar also recognized Gujarat's mission-oriented implementation of the Aspirational District and Block programs, initially launched by the Centre to uplift socio-economically disadvantaged regions.

Chief Minister Patel also digitally inaugurated 'Aakanksha Haats' in ten districts, aimed at promoting local products under the 'Vocal for Local' initiative.

The event saw attendance from state officials, district collectors, MLAs, and key stakeholders dedicated to grassroots development in the state.

Lakhpat, Rapar, and Tharad are three significant blocks located in the arid yet strategically important regions of Gujarat.

Situated in the Kutch district, Lakhpat is a sparsely populated border taluka known for its historical significance, including the 18th-century Lakhpat Fort and its proximity to the India-Pakistan border.

Despite its remoteness and harsh climate, recent development initiatives have enhanced infrastructure and services in the area.

Rapar, also in Kutch, is the largest taluka in the district by area and frequently contends with issues related to water scarcity and connectivity.

Nonetheless, it has made significant strides through targeted interventions in health, education, and agriculture under the Aspirational Blocks Programme.

Tharad, located in the Banaskantha district near the Rajasthan border, has historically been an agrarian economy vulnerable to droughts.