Pemmasani inaugurates Samriddhi Kendram under BharatNet initiative

Union Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, inaugurated the Samriddhi Kendram at Narakoduru village on Saturday, marking a significant milestone in rural digital transformation. Established under the Central Government’s BharatNet Udyami Initiative, Narakoduru has become the third village in India and the first in the Telugu States to host this integrated rural development model.

Built at a cost of ₹1.16 crore, the Samriddhi Kendram integrates 11 essential service sectors under one roof, providing villagers with access to healthcare, education, skill development, financial services, agricultural support, entrepreneurship opportunities and digital governance.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Pemmasani said the initiative reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of creating digitally empowered and self-reliant villages. He noted that the Samriddhi Gram Project has already gained international recognition through its nomination for the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Awards 2026 under the “Enabling Environment” category.

Highlighting the project’s unique “phygital” approach, which combines physical infrastructure with high-speed BharatNet connectivity, the Minister said the model provides a scalable and replicable framework for rural development across the country.

“Ek Kendra, Kaam Anek” – Multiple Services Through a Single Platform
Dr. Pemmasani stated that the Samriddhi Kendram operationalises the concept of “Ek Kendra, Kaam Anek” by delivering multiple citizen-centric services through a single platform.

“For a village to truly prosper, essential services must reach the people, not the other way around. Opportunities should emerge where ideas are born—right within the village itself. The Samriddhi Kendram embodies that vision by transforming local aspirations into pathways for growth, employment and self-reliance,” he said.

The Minister added that under the leadership of Union Minister for Communications and DoNER Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, the Department of Telecommunications is working towards establishing a model Gram Panchayat in each of the country’s 4,012 identified blocks by leveraging BharatNet infrastructure for inclusive development.

Comprehensive services for rural empowerment
The Samriddhi Kendram offers a wide range of services designed to improve quality of life and create economic opportunities for rural communities.

Healthcare services
Residents can access free basic health screenings through Health ATMs, obtain diagnostic reports, consult doctors online and receive digital prescriptions within minutes. Affordable medicines are also available through the Jan Aushadhi Centre.

Agriculture and farmer support
The centre provides soil testing, smart irrigation support and drone-enabled agricultural services to help farmers improve productivity and reduce input costs.

Education and skill development
Students can benefit from AR/VR-enabled learning facilities and digital education tools. Women and Self-Help Groups receive training in digital and social media skills to expand market access and strengthen livelihoods.

Digital connectivity and governance
High-speed broadband connectivity and free Wi-Fi enable access to telemedicine, online education, e-governance services and digital entrepreneurship opportunities directly within the village.

Towards Viksit Bharat 2047
Describing the Samriddhi Kendram as an investment in future generations, Dr. Pemmasani said the initiative is much more than a service centre—it is a platform for empowerment, innovation and sustainable growth.

Guided by the vision of “Gramodaya through Bharat Uday,” he said the journey that begins in Narakoduru represents an important step towards the realization of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Expressing confidence in the model, the Minister said he hopes the light kindled in Narakoduru will inspire thousands of villages across Andhra Pradesh and India, demonstrating how empowered rural communities can drive inclusive, sustainable and technology-enabled development.

Local MLA Shri Dhulipalla Narendra Kumar, attended the inauguration ceremony senior officials from the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, representatives of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, local public representatives, members of Self-Help Groups, village leaders and residents of Narakoduru.
BCS Bureau