India's Ministry of Panchayati Raj has launched the DAANVEER initiative

The DAANVEER initiative, a citizen participation platform aimed at boosting digital infrastructure in Gram Panchayats across India, was launched on 29 July 2026 in New Delhi by Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj. Developed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj along with the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and DigiHaat, the platform enables citizens and organisations to contribute to the technology needs of Gram Panchayats nationwide.

What is the DAANVEER Initiative?

1. Carrying the tagline "Give Back to Your Village," DAANVEER is a voluntary, transparent, and verifiable digital platform accessible through the Meri Panchayat app. 
2. It links with the DigiHaat marketplace, letting donors select standardised computer bundles matched to state-specific requirements, with automated delivery tracking and a digital appreciation certificate for contributors.

Who Was Involved in the DAANVEER Initiative?

Shri Vivek Bharadwaj led the launch, describing DAANVEER as a step toward Viksit Bharat by making every Gram Panchayat digitally equipped and future-ready. He called it a partnership platform rather than a donation drive. The event was also attended by Smt. Mukta Shekhar and Smt. Palka Sahni, Joint Secretaries, MoPR; Shri Vipul Ujwal, Director, MoPR; and senior officials from the State Panchayati Raj Departments of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, who noted growing interest from citizens and philanthropists in donating computers to Panchayats.

Why the DAANVEER Initiative Matters

With nearly 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats forming the base of grassroots governance, DAANVEER builds on existing digital tools like e-GramSwaraj and Meri Panchayat. It also gives the Indian diaspora and citizens living away from their villages a credible channel to support rural digital development, advancing the broader push for a self-reliant, digitally empowered rural India.