Itanagar: Kurung Kumey deputy commissioner, Vishakha Yadav, has been conferred the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2024 for her groundbreaking initiative—Project DigiKaksha: A Vision for a Vibrant Village on the Indo-China Border.
The award, presented under the “Innovation – District” category, celebrates transformative governance models and replicable grassroots innovations. DigiKaksha, launched in one of India’s remotest districts, is fast redefining the future of education and empowerment in high-altitude frontier villages.
Education in Kurung Kumey has long been impeded by difficult terrain and scarce resources. But Project DigiKaksha is changing the narrative—delivering a state-of-the-art, foundational learning platform that offers holistic, creative learning beyond traditional textbooks.
One of the project’s key components is the deployment of Flat Interactive Panels in classrooms, delivering audio-visual CBSE-aligned content from Pre-Primary to Class XII. This tech-integrated model improves engagement, especially in regions where access to quality teaching material is minimal.
Empowering Educators, Building Strong Foundations
More than just a student-focused platform, DigiKaksha empowers teachers through specialized training on modern pedagogical techniques and structured session plans, making classrooms more dynamic and student-centric. A strong focus on foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) aims to bolster CBSE exam performance and prepare students for long-term academic success.
The initiative also promotes hands-on, activity-based learning through dedicated Children’s Corners based on the Building as a Learning Aid (BALA) model—transforming physical school spaces into immersive educational environments.
To strengthen cultural roots, the project’s Cultural Corner curates local artifacts and literature, nurturing a sense of identity and pride among students. Meanwhile, Library/Learning Pods stocked with over 10,000 books act as vital knowledge hubs, fostering reading habits and self-learning in isolated regions.
State Recognition and National Impact
The initiative has earned wide appreciation, including from Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, for transforming the education ecosystem in remote villages bordering China. The project’s success exemplifies how innovative governance can uplift lives even in the country’s most challenging terrains.
A letter of appreciation from V Srinivas, Secretary, Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), hailed Yadav’s work as “commendable” and directed it to be placed in her official performance records.
The PM’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration are among the highest honours for civil servants in India, acknowledging innovation, efficiency, and citizen-first governance.
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