Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey today said that the soul of democracy rests in Gram Sabha and the Gram Panchayat is the first unit of government. He said, Gram Sabha is a platform of co-operation, transparency and collective decision-making. Mr Uikey said this while addressing the launch of Model Youth Gram Sabha initiative in New Delhi. He said that the initiative will help to sow the seeds of democracy and governance among the youth. He said that through the initiative the youth will understand the crucial process of decision-making to formulate schemes for social welfare of the citizens. He called on the youth to take government policies like Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana. Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Prof S P Singh Baghel said that youth should be empowered in leadership, medicine and education to achieve the dream of Viksit Bharat 2047. On the ocassion, the Ministers also launched the training module and website of the initiative at the event. Model Youth Gram Sabha is a joint effort of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Tribal Affairs.