The two-day Training of Trainers was inaugurated at IIYW Institute, Lonara, Nagpur under Panchayati Raj Empowerment Programme in collaboration with SIDART & HSF by lighting the lamp by IIYW Chairman Shri C.H. Khisti, Honorary Advisor of SIDART Dr. Pramila Sanjay, Shri Bahu Daydar, Dr. Shilpa Mirashi and Sarpanchs.
The two-day training programme was conducted by national level trainers trained by NIRDPR in collaboration with SIDART & HSF and the trained team from Jaipur, Rajasthan.
SIDART is a voluntary organisation working in various states of India with the aim of strengthening the Panchayati Raj system and providing practical training and inputs to elected representatives so that they can work effectively in their Panchayats. A two day training seminar (Training of Trainers) for the elected representatives i.e. Sarpanch, Ward Members and some volunteers (who are to become elected representatives) was organized on 24th and 25th June, 2024 at Indian Institute of Youth Welfare, Lonara, Nagpur. The aim of the seminar is to conduct Training of Trainers at Nagpur as per the ToT Module developed by SIDART with the support of HSF. The module has been highly appreciated and endorsed by NIRDPR, Hyderabad, the apex level body for training under the Ministry of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj. This module has been used at various places and locations in Rajasthan and from time to time training has been conducted at Block level for Sarpanchs to make them Master Trainers and this has enabled them to work more effectively in their Panchayat with more community participation by conducting Mahila Sabha, Gram Sabha, Bal Sabha.
The workshop organised a two day training programme as Training of Trainers for Sarpanch and official members of the Panchayat. A team of eight people comprising of Advisor Dr. Pramila Sanjay and Coordinator Mr. C.P. Sharma along with C-DART Village Volunteers and experts were present to attend the training seminar and make them aware of the practical aspects for effective implementation of Panchayati Raj system and decentralized governance. More than thirty participants were present from various Panchayats, including Sarpanch, Gram Sachiv and some Deputy Sarpanch and Ward Members, who actively participated in the two-day training seminar and learnt the processes being adopted in Rajasthan as best practices to be implemented in Nagpur as well. Training modules developed by
SIDART in collaboration with Hans Seidel Foundation were used for the training, apart from this various other developmental aspects like Sustainable Development Goals, localization of Sustainable Development Goals, how to develop own income in Panchayat and how to involve more and more women in the decentralized governance process were discussed one by one. Questions were answered in the open session. The trainees were very satisfied and put forth their questions and practical problems in the open session. The feedback was very positive and good and it was suggested to organize such training more frequently to strengthen the functioning of Sarpanch and his team. It is worth noting that more than 50% of the participants in the training seminar were women and many Sarpanch and Gram Sachiv were also women.
SIDART’s Program Coordinator Mr. C.P. Sharma told that national trainers Dr. Pramila Sanjay, Mr. Naresh Chawla, Mr. Dheeraj Kumar, Expert Mrs. Asha Devi Sharma, Mrs. Rajni Rathore, Jahota Sarpanch Mr. Shyam Pratap Singh Rathore and Saiwad Sarpanch Mr. Rajendra Bunkar are giving detailed training on all subjects of all Panch departments involved in Panchayati Raj.
Dr. Pramila Sanjay ji told that SIDART has created a module for training of trainers which was also praised and appreciated by the Director General of NIRDPR at the national level. Accordingly, there is a provision of Practical Training. Special emphasis will be given on group discussion and presentation. This module training will help the elected representatives to influence the work of their Panchayat in a more systematic way and if they implement this module they will be able to make their place at the national level, this will be a good exchange for the participants from Rajasthan and Maharashtra, so it is hoped that the impact of this training will be seen in the Panchayats from where the elected representatives attended the seminar.
Dr. Pramila Sanjaya is the global representative and consultant for the training programs and activities related to SIDART and Hans Seidel Foundation.