IIM Shillong inks MoU with Tripura Government to strengthen rural development and governance

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 4, 2025

In a significant stride toward empowering rural governance and capacity-building in Tripura, the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research and Analysis, IIM Shillong signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Development (Panchayat) Department, Government of Tripura on May 3.

The MoU signing ceremony was attended by the Chief Minister of Tripura Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha who commended the collaborative initiative and its long-term impact on grassroots development. The agreement was formally signed by Prof. Nalini Tripathy, Director (I/c), IIM Shillong, and Abhishek Singh, IAS, Secretary, Rural Development (Panchayat), Government of Tripura.

This partnership aims to reinforce the shared commitment of both institutions toward good governance, rural empowerment, and sustainable development. Under the scope of the MoU, the collaboration will focus on:

• Enhancing administrative efficiency through strategic management training
• Equipping Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) with modern tools for inclusive and participatory governance
• Facilitating effective planning, execution, and monitoring of grassroots development initiatives

As part of the implementation, the Dr. Kalam Centre, IIM Shillong will design and deliver customized training modules, interactive workshops, and field-based learning programs to strengthen rural governance in the state. The initiative will build capacity in key areas such as financial management, community mobilization, leadership development, and monitoring and evaluation.

The visit to Tripura also included a courtesy call to Indrasena Reddy Nallu, Governor of Tripura and a meeting with Jitendra Sinha, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Tripura. The IIM Shillong delegation, led by Prof. Tripathy and Dr. Sanjeev Ningombam, Centre Head, Dr. Kalam Centre, shared insights into the institute’s ongoing regional development initiatives and discussed potential avenues for future collaboration.

This MoU marks a promising step toward fostering innovation, accountability, and inclusivity in rural governance — paving the way for a more self-reliant and empowered rural Tripura.