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The initiative is about constructing the citizen of tomorrow—beginning immediately
On the coronary heart of this transformation is the ChandraJyoti Abhiyan, a flagship initiative led by Avahad Nivrutti Somnath, CEO of Zila Parishad Dholpur, that’s redefining the function of training, citizenship, and group participation on this traditionally troubled area. Picture/News18
As soon as synonymous with dacoity and lawlessness, Dholpur in Rajasthan is quietly scripting a brand new chapter in its story—one that’s outlined not by concern, however by hope, studying, and the awakening of constitutional values. On the coronary heart of this transformation is the ChandraJyoti Abhiyan, a flagship initiative led by Avahad Nivrutti Somnath, CEO of Zila Parishad Dholpur, that’s redefining the function of training, citizenship, and group participation on this traditionally troubled area.
A Revolution from the First Web page
Each college textbook in India begins with the Preamble to the Structure—the “Kitab Ka Pehla Panna”. But, as Nivrutti keenly noticed, this web page is usually hurried previous within the rush to finish the syllabus. Academics, burdened by curriculum targets, and college students, anxious about exams, are likely to overlook this foundational textual content. However in a nation as various and dynamic as India, that first web page encapsulates the soul of our democracy.
Recognising this missed alternative, the ChandraJyoti Abhiyan was born. “If we are able to carry the Preamble out of obscurity,” Nivrutti explains, “we are able to carry the Structure to life in younger minds.” And so started a journey that might remodel the tutorial panorama of Dholpur.
Colleges as Hubs of Democracy
The Abhiyan unfold its wings to 350 colleges, impacting over 50,000 college students from Courses 5 to 11. By way of Baal Sansad (Youth Parliament) periods, youngsters—many from communities traditionally marred by battle—engaged instantly with the ideas of democracy, governance, and civic duty. They debated, enacted, and questioned. Major schoolchildren started reciting the Preamble throughout morning assemblies, articulating beliefs like Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity with a readability that belied their age.
Academics, too, had been empowered. Over 200 educators, particularly Political Science academics, obtained coaching aligned with the Nationwide Training Coverage (NEP) 2020, enabling them to make constitutional ideas a residing a part of classroom discussions. Debates, quizzes, role-plays, and poster-making competitions enriched the educational expertise, fostering essential considering and civic engagement.
Past School rooms: Communities in Motion
The ChandraJyoti Abhiyan didn’t cease on the college gates. It reached into the center of communities by way of Gram Sabhas and Youngster-Pleasant Panchayat conferences, enabling college students to witness and take part in grassroots democracy. Republic Day and Structure Day had been celebrated not simply as ceremonial occasions, however as events to mirror on civic duties and constitutional beliefs. A very revolutionary characteristic was the “Structure on the Wall” undertaking—vibrant murals depicting constitutional articles on the partitions of the Zila Parishad workplace. Guided excursions by Somnath himself demystified advanced constitutional provisions, making them accessible to even the youngest learners.
The motion culminated in a district-level competitors on April 27, 2025, with 15 colleges and over 150 college students showcasing their information. The winners had been felicitated, and a ChandraJyoti Abhiyan booklet was launched, capturing the journey and voices of these touched by this silent revolution.
From Books to Buildings: The Savidhan Ghar Imaginative and prescient
Constructing on this momentum, Nivrutti envisioned a brand new chapter: the Savidhan Ghar undertaking. In a candid interview, he shared, “Throughout my subject visits, I noticed many unused authorities buildings—as soon as practical, now mendacity idle. I requested myself, why not reimagine these areas as vibrant centres of information and civic consciousness? That’s how Savidhan Ghar was born—turning forgotten infrastructure into residing platforms for constitutional studying and group empowerment.”
Dholpur has recognized 28 unused authorities buildings throughout 28 Gram Panchayats. These are being renovated into group libraries—areas the place civil providers aspirants, avid readers, and group members can entry newspapers, books on regulation and governance, and academic supplies. However at their core, each Savidhan Ghar will deal with the Indian Structure, reinforcing citizenship, democracy, and participation.
Nivrutti’s imaginative and prescient will not be restricted to bodily renovation. “My imaginative and prescient,” he says, “is to develop not simply readers, however residents—considerate, knowledgeable, and empowered people.” To make sure sustainability, village-level group teams are being fashioned to handle these areas, embedding a way of possession and satisfaction.
The 5 Strategic Pillars of ChandraJyoti
What makes ChandraJyoti so efficient is its basis in 5 strategic pillars—a framework that ensures the marketing campaign is participatory, grounded, and scalable:
1. Group-Led and Possession-Pushed: By way of in depth stakeholder consultations, native champions from training and Panchayati Raj establishments formed the marketing campaign’s objectives. An inclusive Steering Committee, with energetic illustration from PRIs and academics, ensures grassroots possession and accountability.
2. Behavioural Change by way of the 5 ‘स’ Method: On the coronary heart of ChandraJyoti is a structured journey from consciousness to action-
- सोच (Spark): Why ought to I care?
- समझ (Mirror): How does this relate to me?
- संकल्प (Commit): What’s going to I do about it?
- सक्रिय (Act & Share): I’m doing it—and others can see it.
- समाक्रिष्ट (Embed): That is now a part of who we’re.
3. Areas of Civic Studying: The marketing campaign created a number of studying spaces-
- Colleges for studying actions;
- PRIs for participatory democracy in motion;
- Zila Parishad Workplace as a residing lab the place college students witness governance firsthand.
4. Tradition of Constitutional Citizenship: Dholpur is rising as a mannequin the place democratic values aren’t simply taught however lived every day. The 5 ‘स’ framework and civic ecosystem mannequin are actually templates for replication in different districts, nurturing a tradition of empathy, ethics, and participation.
5. Resilient Establishments, Knowledgeable Residents: The Abhiyan strengthens belief between authorities and residents, particularly amongst youth. Public establishments are higher outfitted to foster essential considering and civic values at scale.
ChandraJyoti: A Proof-of-Idea for Civic Renewal
ChandraJyoti is not only a district programme—it’s a proof-of-concept for civic renewal:
Transferable Framework: The 5 ‘स’ strategy may be tailored to any thematic space or geography.
Departmental Convergence: Training, Panchayati Raj, and Administration working hand-in-hand.
Productisation: Replicable playbook, dashboards, and supplies make scale possible.
“By way of ChandraJyoti,” Nivrutti says with conviction, “Dholpur gained’t simply train the Structure—it is going to dwell it.”
Challenges and Reflections
But, this journey will not be with out challenges. A persistent lack of possession in authorities buildings typically results in neglect and decay. Academics, burdened by administrative work, typically fail to behave as function fashions for civic engagement. Training, whereas imparting information, typically falls in need of equipping the following era with the talents and values wanted to thrive in a democracy.
Nivrutti is candid about these realities. “We have to reimagine the function of academics as torchbearers of democracy, not simply syllabus-finishers,” he notes. He emphasises bridging the digital divide—a key component of the Savidhan Ghar mannequin is its integration with the Digital Samvidhan Ghar platform, which is able to carry e-resources, e-libraries, and interactive modules to rural college students.
“This isn’t nearly buildings,” he insists. “It’s about constructing residents—digitally empowered, constitutionally conscious, and community-focused.”
A Beacon for the Nation
As Dholpur’s youngsters recite the Preamble and communities collect in Structure-themed libraries, one is reminded of Nivrutti’s closing reflection: “In immediately’s world, particularly in rural India, entry to credible info and studying areas continues to be restricted. If Savidhan Ghar can bridge that hole, even in a small method, then I consider we’re sowing the seeds for a stronger, extra participatory democracy. It’s about constructing the citizen of tomorrow—beginning immediately.”
The ChandraJyoti Abhiyan and Savidhan Ghar are greater than tasks. They’re highly effective reminders that the energy of a democracy lies not simply in its grand establishments however in each little one who recites the Preamble, each instructor who evokes essential thought, and each group that reclaims a uncared for constructing as a house for studying and citizenship.
In Dholpur, the “first web page” is now not only a web page. It’s a name to motion—a promise that democracy begins wherever residents select to dwell it. And on this nook of Rajasthan, that promise is being fulfilled, one recitation, one classroom, and one group at a time.
The Information Desk is a crew of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse an important occasions unfolding in India and overseas. From dwell updates to unique experiences to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Learn Extra
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