Former Additional Secretary, NITI Aayog, and founding-Mission Director of Atal Innovation Mission, Ramanan Ramanathan, speaking at a programme organised by Dhanekula Institute of Engineering and Technology in Vijayawada on Tuesday.
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Former Additional Secretary, NITI Aayog, and founding-Mission Director of Atal Innovation Mission, Ramanan Ramanathan, on Tuesday underscored the need to look beyond metropolitan cities and switch focus to developing districts and villages.
Addressing the valedictory function of a two-day national-level techno-cultural symposium ‘Dhanush- 2K26” organised at Dhanekula Institute of Engineering and Technology, Mr. Ramanathan informed the students that as of December 2025, India had around 800 districts which play a crucial role in governance. The programme coincided with the annual day celebrations of the college.
Referring to the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) launched by NITI Aayog in January 2018, he explained that the aim of this programme was to quickly and effectively transform 112 most under-developed districts across the country. “The broad contours of the programme are Convergence (of Central and State schemes), Collaboration (of Central, State level Nodal Officers and District Collectors), and Competition among districts through monthly delta ranking, all driven by a mass movement. He advised the students to use their knowledge and skills to develop districts and villages.
College principal Ravi Kadiyala informed that over 4,400 students had registered their participation for the event. He said all the participants were given certificates, while 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 the various departments, faculty and students were present.
Published – March 18, 2026 10:03 pm IST
