New Delhi, Jan 27 (NationPress) The Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, S.P. Singh Baghel, is set to present awards to the victors of the Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) on Wednesday. This ceremony acknowledges their comprehension of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system as established by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, according to an official statement.

Additionally, the Union Minister of State for Education, Sukanta Majumdar, will be present during the occasion, which will see the launch of a detailed compendium chronicling the transformative path of the MYGS initiative, as reported.

The event will honor the accomplishments of more than 28,000 students from 619 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and 200 Eklavya Model Residential Schools, all of whom took part in simulated Gram Sabhas and Gram Panchayat proceedings nationwide.

Approximately 900 participants, including students and educators from the winning institutions, elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), and key stakeholders linked to the MYGS initiative, are expected to attend.

The Model Youth Gram Sabha, which aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, was rolled out across over 1,000 schools, including Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs), and State Government Schools last October.

This initiative is designed to foster experiential and activity-based learning, helping students grasp democratic processes and the significance of collective decision-making.

During the launch event, Baghel remarked that achieving the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 necessitates cultivating a generation of young leaders who are equipped to enhance India’s democracy.

He characterized the Model Youth Gram Sabha as an influential platform for developing confidence, leadership skills, and civic responsibility among students. He further proposed that similar initiatives could be introduced in urban settings through Model Ward Sabhas, allowing city students to engage with participatory decision-making and community leadership.

Durgadas Uikey, the Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, described the MYGS initiative as a representation of a new vision for participatory education that connects young individuals with the workings of democratic institutions.

He emphasized that this initiative links education with democratic engagement, motivating students to listen, decide, and act responsibly.

Reflecting on his own experiences from a tribal village, he noted that grassroots leadership has the potential to transform lives and communities. He also pointed out that the tribal community’s harmony with nature provides invaluable lessons in sustainable living and maintaining community equilibrium.

Vivek Bharadwaj, the Panchayati Raj Secretary, stated during the event that many of the country's issues can find solutions within its Gram Sabhas and Gram Panchayats, which serve as the bedrock of local self-governance.

He described the MYGS as a crucial step in connecting students with grassroots democracy, allowing them to learn about responsibility, transparency, and accountability through real-life experiences.

He underscored the importance of blending education with experience, ensuring that learning is enjoyable, participative, and grounded in community values.

Sanjay Kumar, the Secretary for School Education and Literacy, remarked that the MYGS is a timely initiative designed to aid students in understanding grassroots democracy and the operations of PRIs.

This initiative, he noted, will provide students with real-world exposure to governance, enhance teamwork and leadership abilities, and promote learning through active participation, community involvement, and mental well-being—ultimately nurturing confident and responsible citizens.

The launch event attracted over 700 attendees, including students and educators from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and Eklavya Model Residential Schools, as well as elected Panchayat representatives and officials from State Panchayati Raj Departments and State Institutes of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (SIRD&PRs).