Satara's Manyachiwadi Bags 'Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Award' and 'Gram Urja Swaraj Vishesh Panchayat Puraskar'

Maharashtra's Manyachiwadi Gram Panchayat, located in Satara District's Patan Taluka, has emerged as the Best Gram Panchayat (Rank 1) at the national level, winning the prestigious 'Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar.' The village has also received another significant accolade, the 'Gram Urja Swaraj Vishesh Panchayat Puraskar,' in recognition of its exceptional contributions to renewable energy. Manyachiwadi was acknowledged for installing biogas plants in 65 households, solar-powered streetlights across all 35 streets, and solar-powered water pumps for 16 out of 25 farmers.

The awards were presented by President Draupadi Murmu during a special ceremony organized by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India, in New Delhi on Wednesday afternoon. Sarpanch Ravindra Mane and Gram Panchayat Officer Prasad Yadav received the awards on behalf of Manyachiwadi village, with Yashni Nagarajan, Chief Executive Officer of Satara Zila Parishad, also in attendance.

45 exceptional Panchayats across India awarded

The awards were part of the National Panchayat Awards 2024, which recognized 45 exceptional Panchayats across India for their contributions to sustainable and inclusive rural development. The ceremony, held on December 11, 2024, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, was attended by the Hon'ble Union Minister of Panchayati Raj, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh.

Manyachiwadi Gram Panchayat was honored for its unwavering commitment to sustainable development, focusing on nine core principles: poverty-free villages, healthy villages, child-friendly villages, water-rich villages, clean and green villages, self-sufficient villages with infrastructure, social justice, well-governed villages, and women-friendly villages. These initiatives have turned Manyachiwadi into a model for rural development.

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India, conducted a nationwide inspection to select Panchayats for these awards. Manyachiwadi Gram Panchayat was recommended by the State Government for the Nanaji Deshmukh Best Panchayat Sustainable Development Award and the Gram Urja Swaraj Special Panchayat Award. After a thorough evaluation of the village's initiatives, the Ministry awarded Manyachiwadi ₹1.5 crore as the Best Gram Panchayat and an additional ₹1 crore as part of the Gram Urja Swaraj Special Award for its pioneering work in solar energy. This achievement has made Manyachiwadi the first solar village in Maharashtra.

The villagers expressed immense pride in receiving two national-level awards, celebrating the collective effort that made this recognition possible. Manyachiwadi Gram Panchayat's success was supported by a dedicated team of officials, including YASHDA Deputy Director General Dr. Mallinath Kalshetty, Chief Executive Officer Yashni Nagarajan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Archana Waghmale, and Group Development Officer Savita Pawar, among others.

Sarpanch Ravindra Mane, speaking to the Free Press Journal on Wednesday evening, shared, "For over 24 years, the people of Manyachiwadi have been actively involved in village development. Despite facing numerous challenges, the village has flourished through the unity of its people and the guidance of dedicated officials. Today, this small village with a population of just 400 stands as a shining example of rural development, having earned the honor of being recognized as the Best Gram Panchayat at the national level. This achievement is a testament to the unwavering unity of the villagers."