Study tours are an important opportunity to learn and absorb experiences: HIRD Director Dr. Virender Singh Chauhan

Nilokhedi, February 24, 2026: Study tour is not just a formal trip but an important opportunity to learn and absorb experiences. When public representatives and officials understand new practices, they are able to implement better plans in their areas. These views were expressed by Dr. Virender Singh Chauhan, Director of Haryana Institute of Rural Development (HIRD).  He was addressing the village secretaries and sarpanches going on a five-day study tour in the Zilla Parishad assembly hall.

Under the National Rural Swaraj Abhiyan, a group of 59 participants from District Karnal was sent by the Panchayat Department on a study tour to Himachal Pradesh. Dr. Virender Singh Chauhan flagged off the bus and sent the team off. This team includes 7 Sarpanches, Village Secretary and Social Educational Development Officer and other representatives. The objective of this visit is to further strengthen the Panchayati Raj institutions and to acquaint the public representatives with the successful development models of other states.

HIRD Director Dr. Chauhan said that Himachal Pradesh has done remarkable work in the field of Panchayat empowerment, sanitation management, natural resource conservation and community participation. By studying these successful efforts, participants can promote innovation and transparency in their respective villages. He called upon all the participants to take this tour as a responsibility and upon returning, share their experiences with other public representatives and villagers, so that concrete steps can be taken towards collective development.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Amit Kumar (HCS) wished all the participants going on the study tour a happy journey and said that this tour is a golden opportunity for them to learn and understand. He expressed confidence that the participants will take inspiration from the excellent development models of Himachal Pradesh and promote innovation, transparency and good governance in their respective villages. He said that such study tours broaden the outlook of Panchayat representatives and provide new direction to rural development.

Faculty member Sandeep Bhardwaj, expert Neelam Chhikara and senior advisor Gurbinder Singh were also present on the occasion. Officials said that this exposure visit has been organized under the National Rural Swaraj Abhiyan, the objective of which is to strengthen the capacity building of Panchayat representatives. During the visit, the participants will observe the implementation of rural development schemes, digital records management, livelihood missions, water conservation and cleanliness campaigns in Himachal Pradesh.