New Delhi, August 27, 2025: A two-day national workshop on the Vibrant Village Programme was held in New Delhi on 25th and 26th August 2025. The workshop, organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs, brought together officers from border states, central ministries, and central Armed Police forces to discuss strategies for sustainable development of India’s frontier villages.
The workshop was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah who launched the VVP logo and urged all officers to undertake the Programme in true spirit, ensuring that the objectives are realised on the ground.
Over the two days, presentations were made by various states highlighting their best practices and challenges in implementation. Central Armed Police Forces also made presentations duly highlighting the idea behind selecting the villages, issues prevailing in the border areas around the villages and way forward to achieve the targets in coordination with State Governments/UT administration.
Inputs from central ministries focused on the various schemes under them and how these can be integrated and converged with the Vibrant Villages Programme.
Key themes covered during the workshop were:
- Progress under VVP-I and the roadmap for VVP-II.
- Development of the VVP app which will allow District and State nodal officers to check the project implementation in real time basis. Fund flow under VVPII will be undertaken through the VVP digital app.
- Strategies for improving connectivity and infrastructure in remote areas.
- Livelihood and skill development through tourism, animal husbandry, and cooperation
- Use of the Digital VVP Dashboard and PM Gati Shakti Portal for better planning and monitoring.
- Promotion of cultural heritage and youth engagement in border.
The following officers from the State attended the two day workshop: - Shri Tushar Nikhare, IAS; DC Gangtok
- Shri Dhiraj Subedi, SCS; DC Soreng
- Shri Suresh Rai, SCS; ADC Gyalshing
- Shri G.L Meena, IAS; ADC, Pakyong
- Shri Sandeep Kumar, IAS; SDM Mangan
- Shri Bhavesh Khyalia, IAS; Asst Collector Gangtok
- Ms. Khushbu Gurung, SCS; JS and Nodal Officer (VVP), Planning & Development Department
JS, Planning and Development participated in the group discussion and put forth observations on the topic “Role of Private sector, NGOs, CSOs in preserving the rich cultural heritage in border areas.”
The officers will be taking back the learnings from this workshop to further strengthen the implementation of the Vibrant Villages Programme in Sikkim, in line with the state’s priorities and the national vision.
Press Release from Planning & Development Department
