SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Jan 27: A five-day Leadership and Management Development Programme (MDP) for elected representatives of the Panchayati Raj system in Jharkhand commenced at IIT (ISM), Dhanbad, on Monday.
The programme is being organised for Pramukhs, Up-Pramukhs and Zila Parishad members, with 40 elected representatives from eight districts—Dhanbad, Palamu, Deoghar, Dumka, Giridih, Lohardaga, Garhwa and Godda—participating in the training.
Focus on Leadership and Communication in Local Governance
Addressing the participants, Prof. Rajni Singh, Dean (Corporate Communications) and Professor in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT (ISM), highlighted the transformative role of communication in democratic decentralisation.
She said effective grassroots governance depends not only on policies but also on the ability of elected representatives to listen, articulate concerns and build trust within their communities.
‘Leadership in Panchayati Raj Is Relational’
In the second session titled “Communication and Leadership”, Prof. Singh discussed the interpersonal and institutional dimensions of leadership in local self-governance.
“Leadership in Panchayati Raj is not positional; it is relational,” she said, emphasising that leadership at the grassroots level is rooted in engagement, dialogue and public confidence rather than authority alone.
Participants Appreciate Practical Relevance
The programme received positive feedback from participants. Lalita Devi, Zila Parishad member from Dhanbad, said the sessions helped participants understand how effective communication can resolve local issues more efficiently than the authority.
Santosh Kumar, from the District Panchayat Resource Centre, Jasidih (Deoghar), said the leadership concepts discussed were directly relevant to field-level challenges and would help elected representatives discharge their responsibilities more effectively.
Training Aims to Strengthen Grassroots Governance
Organisers said the programme aims to equip elected representatives with practical leadership and communication skills to improve governance delivery and strengthen democratic institutions at the grassroots level.
