21th February 2025: The Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bodh Gaya concluded its five-day Management Development Programme (MDP) for 47 elected representatives from Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in Jharkhand. Conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the programme aimed to strengthen leadership and governance capabilities to drive impactful and sustainable rural development. Held in two sessions in February, the programme trained a total of 113 representatives, strengthening their leadership and governance skills for sustainable rural development.
The training initiative commenced with an initial session that brought together around 66 elected representatives from various Gram Panchayats across Jharkhand. The session featured Chhavi Rajawat, India’s first Sarpanch with an MBA degree, renowned for her advocacy of social change and good governance. The inaugural session featured remarks by Dr. Vinita Sahay, Director of IIM Bodh Gaya, who reiterated the institute’s ongoing efforts to cultivate leadership excellence and strengthen public governance.
The curriculum addressed key governance areas such as financial management, resource allocation, self-sourced revenue generation, digital governance, AI/ML applications in Panchayati Raj, and sustainable development. Participants were equipped with the necessary skills to develop effective policies, optimise local resources, and spearhead transformative rural initiatives.
A session on Personal Effectiveness, delivered by Dr. Sahay, explored the critical roles of women and youth in rural development. Dr. Sahay highlighted the value of skill development workshops for women, which help foster financial independence, social engagement, and economic inclusion. She explained that these workshops empower communities by promoting self-reliance and inclusive rural economies.
The programme was coordinated by Prof. Jitendra Yadav and Prof. Teena Bharti, both experienced academicians in governance and management training. Their leadership ensured a practical and actionable curriculum, integrating contemporary governance practices and technology-driven solutions to address rural challenges effectively.
IIM Bodh Gaya’s commitment to capacity building in public governance is reflected in its previous training programs for various government bodies, including the Water Resource Department, State Health Society, Bihar Police Academy, and the Department of Industries.
The institute’s dedication to fostering leadership excellence is reflected in its 33rd-place ranking in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2024, a remarkable rise of 40 ranks since 2022. Notably, IIM Bodh Gaya remains the only management institute from Bihar ranked among India’s top 50 management institutes.
By successfully concluding this MDP, IIM Bodh Gaya underscores its role as a bridge between academia and public governance, empowering elected representatives with leadership, strategic decision-making, and policy implementation skills essential for nation-building.
