A fascinating facilitation framework has been provided by NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP), which ensures that development initiatives reach the grassroots level. ADP enables cooperation and coordination between the district, state and Union government to aid the community’s well-being across developmental sectors of agriculture, education, financial inclusion, health and infrastructure.

As I look outside the window of my office, I recollect my conversations with young Dinesh, whom I recently met during my three-day visit to Balrampur district of the ‘Balrampur Cheeni’ fame.

The West Sikkim district administration is trying various models of convergence to ensure superlative performance in all indicators through a sustained and concerted effort across all sectors.

The adoption of schools by teachers from district colleges is one of the initiatives towards achieving this.

A multi-lingual education programme and the inclusion of tribal culture in schooling are stimulating interest in learning and reducing dropout rates.

Kupwara district runs a unique initiative of ‘mobile skill training’ in kani shawl-weaving and traditional crewel embroidery for women.

Farmers organise themselves in cooperatives and pool their cattle for making ‘khawa’ (milk solids), which has a better shelf-life compared to milk and also fetches a higher price.

If we channelize our resources properly and work towards realizing the export potential and containing imports, the steel industry can be a game-changer for the national economy.

We should bet big on hybrid steelmaking processes, producing more value-added steel at competitive prices, and reducing dependence on coking coal imports, among others.

The road ahead for Sheikhpura district is long and arduous but the commitment of the administration towards the cause is visible in its dynamic environment.