While most of us associate development with big cities and metros, there’s a small gram panchayat in Himachal Pradesh that’s quietly setting an example for others—not just in the state, but across Punjab and Haryana too. Thanadhar, also known as Thanedhar, located in the Narkanda block of Shimla district, has shown how a village with just over 2,000 people can achieve big things when the community works together. From a fully equipped gym and library to solid waste management and solar-powered streetlights, this panchayat has become a role model of sustainable rural development. That’s why it was recently ranked in the ‘A’ category in the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2025 by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

Pioneering Infrastructure and Community Empowerment

Thanadhar Gram Panchayat, comprising six villages—Lunga, Uchla Nagkelo, Saroga, Pamlai, Barubagh, and Nagkelo—has a population of 2,034, including 1,033 men and 1,001 women. With 1,462 registered voters and universal literacy across its villages, Thanadhar has long held a progressive outlook, dating back to pre-Independence times. However, most of its modern transformation has occurred in the past four years, starting from 2021–22.

Among its many achievements are:

• A well-stocked library offering educational access to all.
• A fully equipped gym built with the vision of keeping youth away from drug abuse.
• A solid waste management (SWM) unit designed to handle waste in a scientific and eco-friendly manner.
• A four-room guest house to promote local tourism and hospitality.
• An independent garbage collection pickup vehicle for efficient door-to-door waste collection.
• A 25kW rooftop solar plant that powers all streetlights, ensuring energy self-sufficiency.

These initiatives reflect a holistic and inclusive model of rural development, where each decision—from infrastructure development to waste management and renewable energy—has been made with collective consensus from the community.

Recognitions and Awards

Thanadhar’s consistent focus on sustainable growth and inclusive governance has not gone unnoticed. In December 2024, it received the third prize of ₹1 crore under the Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar for the financial year 2023–24. It also bagged the second prize of ₹75 lakh in the ‘Socially Secured Village’ category.

All award money was directly deposited into the gram panchayat’s account and utilized efficiently. The gym was constructed in 2022, followed by the guest house and SWM unit in 2022–23, with a combined expenditure of ₹28.20 lakh. The solar power project, implemented after winning the awards, has cost around ₹45 lakh so far.

Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2025: Why Thanadhar Stands Out

The PAI 2025 assessed gram panchayats based on nine Local Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs):

1. Poverty Free and Enhanced Livelihoods
2. Healthy Panchayats
3. Child-Friendly Panchayats
4. Water Sufficient Panchayats
5. Clean and Green Panchayats
6. Self-Sufficient Infrastructure
7. Socially Just and Socially Secured Panchayat
8. Panchayat with Good Governance
9. Women-Friendly Panchayat

Performance levels were categorized into A+ (Achiever), A (Front Runner), B (Performer), C (Aspirant), and D (Beginner). Thanadhar’s remarkable initiatives and holistic development placed it in the ‘A’ (Front Runner) category—setting it apart not just in Himachal Pradesh, but across neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana as well.

A Legacy Rooted in History

Thanadhar’s story is not only about present-day achievements but also about a rich historical legacy. In the early 1900s, American missionary Samuel Evan Stokes, who later embraced Indian citizenship and adopted the name Satyanand Stokes, planted the first American apple saplings in Thanadhar. His orchard, Barubagh, established in 1916, laid the foundation for what would become the apple revolution of Himachal Pradesh, transforming the region’s economy and agricultural identity.

Digital Transparency and Civic Engagement

In line with its forward-thinking approach, the Thanadhar Gram Panchayat has launched a dedicated website that transparently showcases all its facilities, development projects, and community engagement efforts. This digital initiative ensures accountability, encourages participation, and serves as a model for other rural administrations.

Conclusion

Thanadhar Gram Panchayat exemplifies what visionary leadership, collective effort, and sustainable development can achieve in rural India. From its solar-powered streetlights and eco-friendly waste management system to its educational and fitness infrastructure, Thanadhar is not just a village—it is a living model of rural excellence. As India strides toward localised sustainable development, Thanadhar offers a blueprint that can be replicated across the country.

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