Date: 2026-04-24Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
MoSJE opens 3-days National Chintan Shivir- Antyodaya ka sankalp, Amrit kaal ka pratibimb -in Chandigarh to boost social justice delivery with States/UTs
**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) launched a three-day National Chintan Shivir in Chandigarh on April 24, 2026, focused on the theme “Antyodaya ka Sankalp, Amrit Kaal ka Pratibimb – Viksit Bharat@2047.” The event serves as a collaborative platform for States and Union Territories to strengthen India’s social justice delivery architecture through technology-enabled governance and last-mile implementation. Key outcomes include the launch of multiple digital portals and the release of new national guidelines for institutional care.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Digital Governance and Platforms**
* **SAMAVESH Portal:** Launched as a single-access mechanism to manage multiple verticals of empowerment and promote social harmony.
* **NMBA 2.0 App:** Introduced to reinforce the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan initiative against substance abuse.
* **SETU App:** Designed to streamline and simplify scholarship-related services for students.
* **SMILE App:** Developed to facilitate outreach and rehabilitation services for vulnerable groups.
**Policy Frameworks and Institutional Standards**
* **Dementia Care:** Release of a publication outlining the “Minimum Standards for Dementia Care Homes.”
* **Rehabilitation Guidelines:** Launch of “Model Guidelines for Beggar Homes” to assist States and UTs in improving service quality and institutional care.
* **Core Pillars:** Policy deliberations are guided by three core principles: dignity, accessibility, and continuity.
**Collaborations and Capacity Building**
* **Strategic Partnerships:** Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) and various partner institutions.
* **Research and Training:** These MoUs aim to expand training, research initiatives, and capacity building within the social sector.
* **Grassroots Recognition:** “Nasha Mukti Mitras” from various regions were felicitated for their efforts in combating substance abuse at the community level.
**Strategic Objectives for 2047**
* **Inclusive Development:** Emphasis on bringing every marginalized section into the mainstream to achieve the “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision.
* **Procedural Reforms:** Focus on removing procedural barriers and simplifying systems to ensure benefits reach intended beneficiaries directly.
**Impact Analysis**
**States and Union Territories**
**Impact**
States and UTs are tasked with transitioning from theoretical policy to practical, time-bound implementation. They gain access to new standardized guidelines and digital tools to improve local governance.
**Action Required**
Representatives must participate in thematic group work to develop actionable recommendations and implement the newly released standards for care homes and rehabilitation centers.
**Marginalised Communities (Senior Citizens, Persons with Disabilities, and Students)**
**Impact**
These groups are the primary beneficiaries of the "last-mile delivery" focus. The digital apps (SETU, SMILE) aim to reduce procedural barriers to scholarships and social support.
**Action Required**
Eligible individuals and students should utilize the newly launched digital portals and apps to access services and empowerment programs.
**National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) and Partner Institutions**
**Impact**
The signing of MoUs expands the scope of their work in the social sector, specifically regarding professional training and data-driven research.
**Action Required**
The institutions must coordinate to execute the specific training and capacity-building initiatives outlined in the signed agreements.
**Nasha Mukti Mitras**
**Impact**
Grassroots workers receive official recognition and validation for their role in the drug-free society initiative.
**Action Required**
Continue active engagement and awareness-raising efforts to combat substance abuse at the community level.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE): The primary Union Ministry responsible for formulating and implementing policies for the welfare, social justice, and empowerment of marginalized sections.
National Chintan Shivir: A high-level consultative platform involving States and UTs to deliberate on strengthening India's social justice delivery architecture and last-mile implementation.
Viksit Bharat@2047: The strategic national vision and policy framework aiming to achieve a developed, inclusive, and equitable India by the year 2047.
SAMAVESH Portal: A digital platform launched as a single access mechanism to integrate and streamline multiple verticals of empowerment and social harmony.
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA 2.0): A flagship national program aimed at combating substance abuse, reinforced at the event through the launch of updated digital outreach tools.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
MoSJE opens 3-days National Chintan Shivir-
Antyodaya ka sankalp, Amrit kaal ka pratibimb -
in Chandigarh to boost social justice delivery
with States/UTs
Punjab Governor Shri Gulab Chand Kataria and Union
Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Dr. Virendra
Kumar inaugurated National Chintan Shivir in Chandigarh
Social justice is central to India’s democratic ethos and must
prioritise the poorest and most vulnerable: Governor Shri
Gulab Chand Kataria
Viksit Bharat 2047 must be built on dignity, accessibility and
continuity for the last person in the queue: Dr. Virendra Kumar
This Chintan Shivir is for discussion on implementable
outcomes and actionable recommendations: Shri B. L. Verma
SAMAVESH Portal, NMBA 2.0, SETU and SMILE Beggary
Apps Launched at the Shivir
Nasha Mukti Mitras felicitated for grassroots efforts in
combating substance abuse in Chintan Shivir
Posted On: 24 APR 2026 7:46PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment today launched a three-day National Chintan Shivir in
Chandigarh, bringing together States and Union Territories for a focused push on strengthening India’s
social justice delivery architecture. Inaugurated jointly by the Governor of Punjab and Administrator, U.T.
Chandigarh, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, and Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr.
Virendra Kumar, in the presence of Minister of State Shri B. L. Verma, the Shivir is being held on the
theme “Antyodaya ka Sankalp, Amrit Kaal ka Pratibimb – Viksit Bharat@2047”, with an emphasis on
last-mile implementation, technology-enabled governance and inclusive empowerment of marginalised
communities. Shri Narayan Singh Kushwaha, Minister for Social Justice and Disabled Welfare,
Government of Madhya Pradesh; Shri Krishan Kumar Bedi, Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment,
SCs & BCs Welfare and Antyodaya, Government of Haryana; Shri Ravinder Indraj Singh, Minister forSocial Welfare, SC & ST Welfare and Cooperative, Government of NCT of Delhi; Ms. Pi Lalrinpuii,
Minister for Social Welfare, Women and Child Development, Government of Mizoram; and Shri Narendra
Kashyap, Minister for Backward Class Welfare and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities,
Government of Uttar Pradesh, were also present on the occasion.
On this occasion, the exhibition showcasing key initiatives, flagship schemes and achievements of the
Ministry was inaugurated by the Governor of Punjab and Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh, Shri Gulab
Chand Kataria in presence of Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar and
Union Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment Shri B L Verma.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor of Punjab and Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh, Shri Gulab Chand
Kataria, said that the National Chintan Shivir provides an important platform for States and Union
Territories to deliberate on key issues of social justice and empowerment and to strengthen collective
efforts towards inclusive development. He underlined that social justice lies at the core of India’s
democratic ethos and that the resolve of “Antyodaya ka Sankalp, Amrit Kaal ka Pratibimb – Viksit Bharat
@2047” can be realised only when the concerns of the poorest and most vulnerable are placed at the
centre of policy and governance.
Shri Kataria emphasised the need for effective implementation of welfare schemes, close coordination
between the Centre and the States/UTs, and active community participation to ensure that benefits reach
every eligible beneficiary without discrimination or delay. He expressed confidence that the Chintan
Shivir would lead to practical, time-bound recommendations to strengthen social protection, address
challenges such as exclusion and deprivation, and promote dignity, inclusion and social harmony at the
grassroots level. He further said that the vision of a Viksit Bharat 2047 cannot be realized unless every
marginalized section of society is brought into the mainstream of development. He emphasized the need
for inclusive policies, equitable access to opportunities, and collective efforts to ensure that no one is left
behind in the nation’s growth journey.
In his inaugural address, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar
underlined that the Chintan Shivir was not a routine meeting of policymakers and administrators, but a
collective platform of ideas, commitment and shared national purpose. He said the vision of Viksit Bharat
2047 rests on the foundations of justice, equality, dignity and opportunity, and that inclusive development
must ensure that progress reaches those who have historically remained on the margins.
The Union Minister emphasised that the policy deliberations during the Shivir should be guided by three
core pillars — dignity, accessibility and continuity. He said that whether it is a student aspiring for
education, a senior citizen seeking care, or a person with disability striving for self-reliance, public policy
must move beyond welfare towards empowerment and ensure that systems are humane, responsive and
inclusive.
Highlighting the importance of accessibility and continuity, Dr. Virendra Kumar said that benefits meant
for the people must not remain confined to policy documents and should reach intended beneficiaries
without procedural barriers. He referred to technology-enabled and integrated approaches, including
simplified scholarship systems, service access for senior citizens, and support structures for disadvantaged
youth, as essential elements of long-term and transformative empowerment.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri B. L. Verma
said that the Chintan Shivir reflects the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, under which the Centre,
States and Union Territories come together as one team to strengthen the delivery of welfare schemes. He
noted that the programme embodies the Government’s resolve for “Viksit Bharat @2047”, with social
justice at its core, and seeks to ensure equality, dignity and inclusion for every citizen, particularly thosefrom disadvantaged and vulnerable sections. Shri Verma underlined that the Ministry is working with full
commitment to translate this vision into tangible outcomes through well-designed policies, targeted
programmes and effective service delivery mechanisms.
Shri Verma highlighted that the Ministry’s foremost priorities in the field of social justice are reaching the
deprived, improving accessibility of services, simplifying procedures and ensuring beneficiary-centric
governance. He said the Chintan Shivir has been designed not merely for discussion but to arrive at
implementable outcomes through thematic group work, sharing of best practices and the preparation of
actionable recommendations.
The Secretary of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Sudhansh Pant said that this
Chintan Shivir reflects our commitment to reach the last person first and to ensure that development is
inclusive and transformative.
The Secretary, Ms. V. Vidyavathi, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities said, “the
vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 cannot be achieved without an Inclusive Bharat, where all sections of society,
including persons with disabilities, are fully included and empowered to participate in all aspects of
development.”
A major highlight of the inaugural session was the launch of several digital platforms and knowledge
resources aimed at strengthening accessibility, transparency and service delivery. These included the
SAMAVESH Portal as a single access mechanism for multiple verticals of empowerment and social
harmony, the NMBA 2.0 App for reinforcing the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, the SETU App for
streamlining scholarship-related services, and the SMILE App for outreach and rehabilitation of
vulnerable groups.
On the occasion, a publication on Minimum Standards for Dementia Care Homes and Model Guidelines
for Beggar Homes was also released to support States and UTs in strengthening institutional care,
rehabilitation frameworks and service quality. Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between
the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) and partner institutions to expand capacity building,
training and research initiatives in the social sector.
On this occasion, Nasha Mukti Mitras from various States and Union Territories were also felicitated by
the dignitaries in recognition of their commendable efforts and grassroots contributions towards spreading
awareness and combating substance abuse. Their dedication and active engagement were acknowledged as
instrumental in advancing the objectives of a drug-free society.
The Chintan Shivir will continue over the next two days with thematic discussions, breakout sessions and
group presentations focused on actionable recommendations for strengthening the delivery of social
justice and empowerment programmes.****
Siraj
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