New Delhi (Delhi) [India], April 24 (HBTV): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated people's representatives across the country on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day, stating that 'the king's happiness lies in the happiness of the people'.
National Panchayati Raj Day is observed annually on April 24 to commemorate the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1993, which granted constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions in India.
In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, 'Heartfelt congratulations to the people's representatives across the country on the occasion of Panchayati Raj Day! Your dedication to public service alongside national service is truly inspiring to one and all. In the happiness of the people lies the king's happiness; in their welfare lies his own welfare. The king should consider dear not what is dear to himself, but what is dear to the people.'
The theme for National Panchayati Raj Day 2026 is 'Sashakt Panchayat, Sarvangeen Vikas' (Empowered Panchayats, Holistic Development).
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is set to mark the occasion at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
Observed every year on April 24, the day commemorates the landmark 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, which provided constitutional status and legal recognition to Panchayati Raj Institutions across India. This year marks 33 years of the amendment, a key milestone in India’s democratic journey.
During the national event, the Prime Minister’s message will be read out and disseminated to elected representatives and functionaries of Panchayati Raj Institutions and rural local bodies across the country through State and Union Territory Panchayati Raj Departments.
The event will be attended by Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj SP Singh Baghel, Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj Vivek Bharadwaj, and other senior officials. Elected representatives from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Haryana are also expected to participate.
On the occasion, the Report on Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI)-2.0 and three books under the 'Meri Panchayat Meri Dharohar' initiative will be released. These include a monograph on rural heritage of Tripura, a monograph on rural heritage of Tirupati, and 'Uttarkashi: Saumya Kashi: The Soul of Himalayan Heritage'.
National Panchayati Raj Day is observed across the country at the state, district, block and gram panchayat levels, where Gram Sabhas are held to reinforce the spirit of participatory democracy at the grassroots.
The day also serves as an occasion to recognise the role of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system in advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat.
(ANI)