Prayagraj: The Press Information Bureau (PIB), Lucknow, on Thursday organised a “Vartalap Programme” (Rural Media Workshop) at Pandit Kripashankar Tiwari College in Meja Tehsil of Prayagraj district. The workshop focused on the theme ‘Viksit Bharat – Ji Ram Ji Kanoon’ and discussed key welfare policies, development-oriented laws passed by the Indian Parliament, and the Central Government’s vision of making India a developed nation by 2047.
A large number of local journalists participated in the workshop, which aimed at strengthening awareness and understanding of government initiatives at the grassroots level. The programme began with the collective singing of the national song Vande Mataram, marking the completion of 150 years of the iconic composition.
The event was addressed by former Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University, Professor Girish Chandra Tripathi, as the chief guest. Other prominent speakers included former Deputy Director of Education and social worker Ashok Nath Tiwari, senior journalist and Chairman of the Child Welfare Committee Dr. Akhilesh Kumar Mishra, Deputy Regional Manager of Bank of Baroda Anup Shukla, and Director, PIB and Central Communication Bureau (Uttar Pradesh), Dilip Kumar Shukla.
Addressing the media workshop, Professor Girish Chandra Tripathi described ‘Viksit Bharat – Ji Ram Ji Kanoon’ as a significant initiative rooted in the principles of service, good governance and prosperity. He said the law is an important step towards building self-reliant villages and ensuring sustainable rural livelihoods. He highlighted that the scheme guarantees 125 days of employment annually to eligible rural households, going beyond the existing 100-day employment guarantee under MGNREGA.
Speaking on the occasion, Ashok Nath Tiwari said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to service-oriented governance and inclusive development. He added that such policies would play a crucial role in accelerating India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation.
Dr. Akhilesh Kumar Mishra emphasised that Viksit Bharat is not merely a slogan but a comprehensive national resolve, firmly anchored in rural development. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a developed country by 2047, he said villages would have a decisive role in achieving this goal. He further informed that timely wage payments within 7 to 15 days have been made mandatory, and transparency has been strengthened through digital payments, biometric verification, geo-tagging and real-time monitoring. He also highlighted the importance of social audits, enabling villagers themselves to monitor implementation.
Deputy Regional Manager of Bank of Baroda, Anup Shukla, spoke about the role of banks in implementing government schemes and explained how beneficiaries can access financial services to support their livelihoods.
PIB and Central Communication Bureau Director Dilip Kumar Shukla announced that under the Integrated Communication and Outreach Programme, a five-day exhibition and seminar will be organised at the same venue from January 24 to January 28, 2026. The exhibition will showcase provisions of ‘Viksit Bharat – Ji Ram Ji Kanoon’, achievements and initiatives of various central government departments, and themes related to Republic Day.
The programme concluded with an interactive session, reinforcing the role of the media in disseminating accurate information and strengthening public awareness of development-oriented initiatives.
