Patna: Patna became the centre of national attention on Thursday as the National Conference on Holistic Development of Districts began with a strong focus on innovation and grassroots governance. The conference was organised by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Bihar Prashasnik Sudhar Mission Society, and the General Administration Department of the Bihar government. More than 200 delegates, including senior policymakers, district magistrates, and heads of key institutions, came together to discuss how districts can be engines of growth and social change.
The first half of the day featured two technical sessions that presented award-winning and shortlisted initiatives under the Prime Minister’s Awards. The first session, chaired by Puneet Yadav, Additional Secretary of DARPG, included presentations on digital authentication, cyber governance, and GIS-based water conservation from states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh. The second session, led by Sarita Chauhan, Joint Secretary of DARPG, focused on how districts play a central role in governance. Speakers reminded participants that a district is more than an administrative unit – it is the heartbeat of public service delivery and where citizens truly experience the government’s work.
The inaugural session was attended by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, who both praised Bihar for its efforts in governance reform. Dr Singh called Bihar’s digital transformation and grievance redressal systems “an inspiration for the country” and said that district magistrates are key to shaping local development. Deputy Chief Minister Chaudhary highlighted the state’s achievements in infrastructure, saying travel times between major cities have been reduced drastically and symbolise Bihar’s new identity as “fast, inclusive, and future-ready.”
In the afternoon, a special session titled “Innovations in Bihar Government” focused on local models of reform. District magistrates from Nalanda and Begusarai shared their experiences, and Commissioner of Magadh Division Dr A.N. Safena underlined the importance of women’s participation in governance. Presentations by Jeevika and the Bihar Prashasnik Sudhar Mission Society showed how technology is resolving citizen grievances quickly and how women’s self-help groups are helping households achieve financial security. Dr B. Rajender, Additional Chief Secretary of GAD, praised Bihar’s women for their leadership and credited Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for creating opportunities for them to lead change at every level.
Alongside the conference, an exhibition showcased Bihar’s key schemes, traditional handicrafts, and citizen services, with a virtual reality section offering an immersive experience of the state’s heritage sites. The day ended on a cultural note, with performances by Maithili Thakur, folk dance groups, and a flute recital by Vishnu Thapa, celebrating Bihar’s culture and community spirit. The discussions closed with a shared commitment to make district-level administration stronger and more inclusive, ensuring development reaches every citizen.
