Foreign delegates visit model gram panchayat

Warangal: A group of foreign delegates have visited Gangadevipalli---a model gram panchayat---in Geesukonda mandal in the district on Friday. About 35 delegates from eight nations were in the team. They belong to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Italy, Malawi, Nepal, and Nigeria and from various parts of India. They were here to participate in a week-long community development programmes being organised by Kazipet-based social service organization Bala Vikasa and to study its activities at ground level.

As part of their visit, the foreign delegates representing non-governmental organizations in their counties have also visited Vanamalakanaparthy and Taralapalli in the district where Bala Vikasa has been executing projects on organic farming and community water purification programme, respectively.

Bala Vikasa programme manager, S Sunitha, who led the delegates, has explained the work done at Gangadevipalli to mould it as a model village and promotion of organic farming and the purpose for installing water purification plant.

The foreign delegates have also interacted with the villagers and attended a meeting at Gangadevipalli. Padmasiri Subhasingha belonging to Voluntary Initiative for Child Empowerment of Sri Lanka and others expressed pleasure over the extensive work being done to develop villages.

The delegates, who came on a tour, represented Adarsha Samajik Progoti Sangstha, Jagorani Chakra Foundation and World Peace Mission of Bangladesh, United Nations High Commission for Refugees, Preach Water Foundation of Malawi, National Association for Total Education, Voice Area Federation and Voluntary Initiative for Child Empowerment of Sri Lanka, Community Empowering Programme of Tanzania, Sarvodaya Youth Organisation of India and others.