All posts tagged: grassroots

Chatbot To Simulation: Panchayat Ministry To Showcase Grassroots Governance At AI Impact Summit | India News

Chatbot To Simulation: Panchayat Ministry To Showcase Grassroots Governance At AI Impact Summit | India News

Last Updated:February 15, 2026, 19:56 IST The Ministry will present AI-enabled governance tools designed specifically for decentralised administration Security officials at the entrance of Bharat Mandapam, ahead of the AI Impact Summit 2026, in New Delhi, on Sunday. (PTI) From how to upload a Panchayat asset photo and its details to clarifying scheme guidelines, eGramSaathi, an AI-powered assistant developed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, is now positioning itself as the digital bridge between village citizens and grassroots governance. And this is not a pilot project tucked away in files. It will be live on the international stage at the India AI Impact Expo 2026 in New Delhi, starting February 16. News18 reviewed the documents prepared for the summit. At a time when Artificial Intelligence (AI) is often showcased through flashy consumer apps and global tech debates, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj is quietly placing AI inside the Gram Sabha, empowering India’s grassroots governance. The Ministry will present a suite of AI-enabled governance tools designed specifically for decentralised administration. Alongside eGramSaathi, there is SabhaSaar, an …

PM Modi Meets BJP Workers In Assam, Stresses Grassroots Outreach Ahead Of 2026 Polls | India News

PM Modi Meets BJP Workers In Assam, Stresses Grassroots Outreach Ahead Of 2026 Polls | India News

Last Updated:December 20, 2025, 23:19 IST PM Modi visited Assam BJP HQ on Saturday and emphasized the need to deepen ties with the people. His visit comes ahead of 2026 state assembly polls. During a meeting with BJP workers, PM Modi emphasized the need to deepen ties with the people. Image: X/@narendramodi) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Assam, visited the state BJP headquarters on Saturday, where he interacted with party colleagues and discussed strategies to strengthen the party’s connection with the people. In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said the discussions focused on deepening outreach and working towards fulfilling people’s aspirations, highlighting the party’s emphasis on grassroots engagement and public welfare. “Went to the Assam BJP HQ and interacted with Party colleagues. Discussed ways to further deepen our Party’s connect with people and work towards fulfilling people’s aspirations,” the Prime Minister tweeted. Went to the Assam BJP HQ and interacted with Party colleagues. Discussed ways to further deepen our Party’s connect with people and work towards fulfilling …

Senas vs BJP to Shinde Sena-Cong vs BJP: Friends, foes switch roles in local body polls | Political Pulse News

Senas vs BJP to Shinde Sena-Cong vs BJP: Friends, foes switch roles in local body polls | Political Pulse News

With 246 municipal councils and 42 municipal panchayats across Maharashtra headed to voting on December 2, these elections have thrown up unusual alliances that have caught many by surprise. Since the Shiv Sena split in 2022, the Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) took on each other in various electoral contests, including the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections held last year. But in several contests in the upcoming local body elections in the state, the two Senas have entered an alliance – a development that stands in sharp contrast to the bitter rivalry between the parties. While senior leaders from both camps maintain that these are “purely local adjustments”, their tie-ups in some civic body polls have triggered a row When he split the Sena in June 2022, Shinde justified his move by stating that his rebellion stemmed from Uddhav’s “unnatural” or “ideologically incompatible” partnerships with the Congress and the then undivided Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which he said went against the “core principles” of Sena founder …

“Until and unless work on grassroots is done properly, Vision 2047 will become Vision 3047”

“Until and unless work on grassroots is done properly, Vision 2047 will become Vision 3047”

One of India’s greatest players, Bhaichung Bhutia ran — unsuccessfully — against Kalyan Chaubey in the All India Football Federation presidential elections. He is now an Executive Committee member. Witnessing the inner workings has left him ‘very, very scared’ about the direction the sport is taking in the country. Talking to Mihir Vasavda, Bhutia opened up about the goal-scoring problems plaguing the national team, the over-reliance on Sunil Chhetri (“By the time he gets to his second retirement, he might have a head haemorrhage!”) and why the AIFF’s Vision 2047 — to be among top four in Asia and have at least one male and one female international star, among other ideas — could turn into ‘Vision 3047’. Excerpts: What are your thoughts after India’s goalless draw against Bangladesh? Story continues below this ad Overall, it wasn’t a dominant performance. Especially if you’re playing at home against Bangladesh; Bangladesh’s ranking means you have to dominate and you need to get three points. For the whole game, we lacked a lot of options in terms of …

“Invest in grassroots now for success at the 2036 Olympics”: PR Sreejesh

“Invest in grassroots now for success at the 2036 Olympics”: PR Sreejesh

Indian hockey legend PR Sreejesh has emphasized the urgent need for grassroots investment and talent identification to build a strong foundation for India’s sporting future. Speaking at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit, the double Olympic medallist stressed that preparation for the 2036 Olympics must begin now. Sreejesh, who retired after India’s bronze medal win at the Paris Olympics, highlighted that exposure to top-level competition is crucial for young athletes. “Exposure is the key. Getting into the world level and performing from there is the dream. The Olympics come with immense mental pressure, and preparing athletes for that is most important,” he said. He believes that India’s recent sporting success can inspire young athletes, but structural development at the grassroots remains a challenge. While India has a strong national-level player base, Sreejesh pointed out that talent identification at the nursery and grassroots levels needs improvement. “If we are talking about the 2036 Olympics, we need to start working with kids aged 12-14 today. That’s where the investment should go,” he stated. He stressed that …

PR Sreejesh says India needs to ‘invest in grassroots to achieve big in 2036 Olympics’

PR Sreejesh says India needs to ‘invest in grassroots to achieve big in 2036 Olympics’

As India sets its sights on hosting the Olympics in 2036, two-time Olympic medallist PR Sreejesh has said that the country needs to invest on grassroots development to achieve big at the Olympic Games. India has made its ambitions to host the Olympics in 2036 known and are building a series of stadiums in Ahmedabad for the mega-event. Talking about India’s room for growth, Sreejesh said: “We have room to improve in talent identification. At the nursery level, at grassroots, there’s a lot to work on. That’s where the investment needs to go in. If we are speaking about the 2036 Olympics, now is when we need to tap into the talent between the age groups of 12-14 years.” Story continues below this ad Sreejesh, who helped India win bronze medals at two successive Olympics in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, added at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit on Friday: “Exposure is the key. Getting into the world level and performing from there is the dream. What makes the Olympics unique is the …

Tamil Nadu gets its own Grassroots Football League as Coastal League kicks off

Tamil Nadu gets its own Grassroots Football League as Coastal League kicks off

Football in Thoothoor, a coastal town in Tamil Nadu, received a major boost as the Coastal League officially kicked off on March 8, 2025, offering young players a structured platform to develop their game. Initiated under the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) grassroots football program, the league will see 14 teams competing across four age categories — U7, U9, U11, and U13. The launch of the league aims to nurture talent in one of India’s most passionate footballing belts while giving aspiring players consistent match exposure. With a well-defined competitive format, the league is expected to unearth raw talent from the region and lay the groundwork for their long-term development. India international and Thoothoor native Michael Soosairaj, who has represented India at the highest level, applauded the initiative and highlighted how impactful such opportunities can be for young kids. “It’s great to see a structured league finally coming to our region through the RFYC Coastal League. Growing up, we didn’t have such competitions, and I know how beneficial it will be for these kids. I …

Subhadeep Dutta, the Tamluk coach nurturing talent in a pond

Subhadeep Dutta, the Tamluk coach nurturing talent in a pond

In the lively town of Tamluk, West Bengal, a group of children practice their swimming kicks at the shallow end of a pond. In the water with them and correcting every stroke is Subhadeep Dutta. At first glance, Dutta might seem like any other Tamluk resident, but his journey and efforts have become a beacon of hope, especially for those passionate about swimming in the town. Dutta is the driving force behind the Tamralipta Matangini Swimming Center, dedicated to teaching local youth how to swim. Operating from a simple pond with no standard amenities, the 39-year old has managed to nurture several district and state-level swimmers. The need to introduce activity Dutta’s journey began in 2021, in the aftermath of the COVID lockdown, when children had become habituated to watching videos on mobile devices with little outdoor activity. “The prolonged lockdown had a severe impact on children and young adults,” Dutta explained to The Bridge. As a swimming coach, he saw the urgent need to reintroduce physical activity into children’s lives. With sheer determination, he …

Odisha govt to build stadiums across 314 blocks to boost grassroots sports

Odisha govt to build stadiums across 314 blocks to boost grassroots sports

The Odisha government, on Saturday, approved a Rs 4,124 crore project to build stadiums in all 314 blocks of the state over the next five years. This initiative will foster the growth and development of the sports ecosystem at the grassroots level in the state. By enhancing facilities at the local level, the government seeks to create more opportunities for athletes, nurture emerging talent, and increase grassroots sports competitions. “Recognising the urgency of closing this gap, the government has outlined several key objectives, including providing enhanced opportunities for athletes, nurturing local talent, and organising more grassroots sports competitions,” the government stated in a press release. The project will focus on sports disciplines where Odisha has demonstrated significant potential in recent years. Beyond improving sports culture, the initiative will encourage rural youth to participate in physical activities, fostering both mental and physical well-being. Each block-level stadium will be developed on 8-10 acres of land and will include a football or cricket field, a clay athletic track with throw and jump areas, courts for volleyball, kho kho, …

With India bidding for the 2036 Olympics, where do Grassroots Sports stand?

With India bidding for the 2036 Olympics, where do Grassroots Sports stand?

As India takes bold strides toward bidding for the 2036 Olympics, the nation’s sporting ambitions are higher than ever. But while elite sports garner attention, how strong is the foundation at the grassroots level? The latest Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024 provides crucial insights into the state of rural sports infrastructure in India—an area often overlooked in mainstream discussions. ASER’s widely cited data on foundational learning typically dominates headlines, but the survey also collects information on key RTE indicators in terms of school infrastructure, since 2018 school physical education facilities have also been added The ASER 2024 survey, conducted across nearly 18,000 villages in 605 districts, gathered data from 15,728 schools, offering a comprehensive look at the current state of grassroots sports in India. This article examines key findings from ASER 2024, reviews existing policies aimed at promoting sports, and concludes with recommendations to strengthen grassroots sports—because building world-class athletes starts with solid groundwork. Sports in Rural Primary Schools One of the most notable findings in ASER 2024 is the increasing recognition of …