Former additional secretary of NITI Aayog and founding director of Atal Innovation Mission, Ramanan Ramanathan, addressed a program organized by Dhanekula Institute of Engineering and Technology in Vijayawada on Tuesday. | Photo credit: HANDOUT
Former NITI Aayog Additional Secretary and Atal Innovation Mission founding director Ramanan Ramanathan on Tuesday stressed the need to look beyond metropolitan cities and focus on district and village development.
Addressing the valedictory function of the two-day Nationwide Techno-Cultural Symposium ‘Dhanush-2K26’ organized at Dhanekula Institute of Engineering and Technology, Mr. Ramanathan informed the students that by December 2025, India had around 800 districts which play a key role in governance. The program coincided with the day’s annual celebrations.
Referring to the Aspirational Districts Program (ADP) launched by NITI Aayog in January 2018, he explained that the objective of the program was to rapidly and effectively transform the 112 most backward districts across the country. “The broad outlines of the program are Convergence (of Central and State schemes), Cooperation (of Central, State Nodal Officers and District Collectors) and Competition among districts through monthly delta assessment, all led by the mass movement. He advised the students to use their knowledge and skills for district and village development.
College Principal Ravi Kadiyala informed that more than 4,400 students have registered their participation in the event. He said all the participants were given certificates while the winners were given prizes.
Chairman Dhanekula Ravindranath Tagor, Secretary and Correspondent D. Bhavani Prasad, Director DRKR Raviprasad, Dean-Research and Development R. Satya Prasad, Dean-Academics G. Rajesh, heads of individual departments, faculties and students were present.
Published – 18 March 2026 22:03 IST
