When Governance Stops Being Distant
For decades, governance in rural India—and particularly in the remote and often misunderstood regions of Jammu and Kashmir—has been perceived as distant, procedural, and inaccessible. Files moved faster than people, offices mattered more than outcomes, and the common villager often stood helpless before layers of bureaucracy. Against this entrenched legacy of alienation, the government’s flagship initiative “Prashasan Gaon Ki Aur” (Administration Towards the Village) emerges not merely as a programme, but as a philosophical shift in governance.
The celebration of Prashasan Gaon Ki Aur at Panzath Wanpora village in Tehsil Qazigund, under the dynamic chairmanship of the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Doru, stands as a living testament to this transformation. It was not a ceremonial gathering, not a token outreach, and certainly not a routine official visit. It was governance in motion—listening, resolving, empowering, and delivering.
In a region where administrative credibility has long been questioned, this single programme redefined the relationship between the state and the citizen. It sent a clear message: the government is no longer waiting in offices; it is knocking on the doors of villages.
Panzath Wanpora: A Village That Found Its Voice
Panzath Wanpora is not just another village on the administrative map of Anantnag district. It represents the aspirations, grievances, resilience, and hopes of rural Kashmir. Recently mentioned in the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the village has already entered the national consciousness. The celebration of Prashasan Gaon Ki Aur here further elevated its significance.
From early morning, the village witnessed an unusual but welcome sight: officials from multiple government departments, desks set up in the open, citizens lining up not in fear but in confidence, and a collective belief that their problems would finally be heard.
This was not administration as authority; this was administration as service.
Leadership That Sets the Tone: The Role of SDM Doru
At the heart of this successful initiative stood SDM Doru, whose leadership transformed the programme from a routine government event into a genuine problem-solving forum. Chairing the proceedings with clarity, empathy, and firmness, the SDM ensured that every grievance was taken seriously, every department was accountable, and every citizen felt respected.
In a system where officers are often seen as distant figures, SDM Doru’s presence among the people dismantled psychological barriers. Questions were answered on the spot, directions were issued immediately, and unnecessary delays were discouraged.
This is what leadership looks like when it is rooted in responsibility rather than rank.
Tehsildar Qazigund: The Backbone of Local Administration
If SDM Doru provided the vision, the Tehsildar Qazigund delivered the execution. Revenue-related grievances—long considered the most complex and corruption-prone—were addressed with transparency and professionalism.
Issues related to land records, mutations, Jamabandies, certificates, and documentation were examined patiently. Villagers who had been running from pillar to post for years found relief in a single sitting. The public appreciation showered upon the Tehsildar Qazigund was spontaneous and heartfelt—a rare moment when the governed openly applauded the governing.
Such appreciation is not accidental. It is earned through consistent, honest, and people-centric administration.
All Departments, One Platform: Breaking Silos
What made the Panzath Wanpora programme exceptional was the participation of all line departments. From social welfare to health, from rural development to education, from revenue to power and water supply—every department was present, answerable, and proactive.
Citizens were educated about online schemes, digital portals, and application processes. For many villagers, this was the first time they were explained how to access government benefits without middlemen. This single act of awareness is revolutionary in a society where lack of information has long been exploited.
Grievances were not merely noted—they were resolved, or timelines were given with clarity. Accountability replaced ambiguity.
Lambardar of Panzath Wanpora: The Unsung Pillar of Grassroots Governance
A special mention must be made of the Lambardar of Panzath Wanpora, whose services emerged as the central pillar of the programme. Often overlooked in policy discussions, the Lambardar remains the most vital link between the state and the village.
His role in mobilising people, coordinating with officials, and maintaining order and trust was widely acknowledged. The praise he received was not symbolic; it was recognition of sustained service and integrity.
If governance is a structure, the Lambardar is its foundation stone.
Deputy Commissioner Anantnag: Vision from the Top
Behind every successful field-level initiative stands administrative vision from the top. The villagers of Panzath Wanpora openly praised the Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, under whose guidance such programmes are being conducted with seriousness and purpose.
The DC’s emphasis on decentralised governance, public grievance redressal, and accountability has translated into tangible outcomes on the ground. The success of Prashasan Gaon Ki Aur in Panzath Wanpora is a reflection of this district-level administrative resolve.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi: The Ideological Architect
No discussion of this governance transformation is complete without acknowledging the ideological foundation laid by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. His consistent emphasis on “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas” is not a slogan—it is policy in action.
The numerous schemes launched for poor, rural, and marginalised communities—from housing to health insurance, from sanitation to digital inclusion—were explained to villagers during the programme. For the people of Panzath Wanpora, governance was no longer abstract; it was personal.
The village’s mention in Mann Ki Baat was not incidental. It was recognition of grassroots vitality, civic participation, and development potential.
Why ‘Prashasan Gaon Ki Aur’ Matters More Than Ever
In a time when cynicism about governance is high, initiatives like Prashasan Gaon Ki Aur restore faith. They challenge the outdated notion that administration must be distant to be effective.
This programme achieves three critical objectives:
Democratisation of Governance – Bringing power closer to people.
Transparency and Awareness – Reducing dependency on intermediaries.
Accountability and Speed – Resolving issues at the source.
For Jammu and Kashmir, where trust deficit has historically hampered governance, such initiatives are not optional—they are essential.
A Model That Must Reach Every Village
The unanimous demand from villagers was clear: such programmes must be conducted in every village. This is not an unreasonable expectation; it is a democratic right.
If governance can reach Panzath Wanpora, it can reach any village. What is required is administrative will, officer commitment, and institutionalisation of this model.
Conclusion: When the State Listens, the Nation Strengthens
The celebration of Prashasan Gaon Ki Aur at Panzath Wanpora was not an event; it was a statement. A statement that governance can be compassionate without being weak, firm without being arrogant, and efficient without being exclusionary.
It proved that when the state listens, democracy deepens. When administration serves, trust returns. And when villages feel empowered, the nation grows stronger.
Panzath Wanpora has shown the way. The question now is not whether this model works—but how fast it can be replicated across Jammu and Kashmir and beyond.
