"A leader is one, who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way" a quotation by the America's foremost expert on leadership John C. Maxwell befits the most on Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan to a great extent. The dynamic Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh has been successful in proving his statesmanship, initiating transformation of the state into one of the pioneer states casting aside its past stigma of "BIMARU" and forging ahead in its quest for prosperity and growth of the people of the state.

At present the Madhya Pradesh is number one in implementation of various development programmes in the country which include electrification of villages, pulses and oilseed production, implementation of Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Public - Private Partnership Project, Industrial Investment Proposal Execution, Cyber Treasury System, Implementation of Insurance Scheme for fish farmers, tendu leaf collection, water management through Statewide Jalabhishek Abhiyan etc. While implementation of e-governance, Mid-Day Meal Scheme, drinking water arrangement in rural areas, promotion of institutional deliveries to decrease the mother and infant morality rate, National Bio Gas Scheme, enforcement of schemes to provide better facilities in the key sector of education, health, agriculture have also brought laurels for the state. Its unique schemes of "Samadhan-online", Mass Marriages Scheme for poor girls and School Chalen Hum Abhiyan" are also being talked about widely.

Chief Minister's announcement of 50 percent reservation for women in local bodies at State's first ever Mahila Panchayat held at Bhopal on July 30 has been welcomed by people of all sections. Shri Chouhan announced gender budgeting from next financial year to ensure benefits of beneficiary - oriented schemes to women of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. Besides, a scheme "Surakshit Kanya Yojana" under which Rs. one lakh would be available to girls of poor families as soon as they turn 21 years of age was also announced on the occasion. This would provide economic security to girls of poor families. Besides, special desks are being arranged in police stations across the state to help women lodge their complaint without any hesitation. Moreover, ten per cent posts in police force would be reserved for women and a Helpline for women would also be launched.

The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in his recent address to the members of Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly on its Golden Jubilee Year, praising the progress registered by the state on various fronts of development hoped that "Developed Madhya Pradesh would play a decisive role in building of developed India". Heading towards "Search for Excellence" Madhya Pradesh's priorities begin with the development of last man in last row. Development of villages, farmers and poor is being taken on top priority.

At present, Madhya Pradesh tops in rural electrification work by illuminating over 50 thousand villages. Similarly, under the Employment Guarantee Scheme, Madhya Pradesh secures first position by distributing job cards to 35 lakh families and registering 40 lakh 33 thousand 166 families within a couple of months. So far, 15 lakh persons have been provided employment by spending Rs. 1000 crore. Loans of farmers have been waived off and special rebate has been accorded to them on electricity charges.

New history is being created by road construction work in rural areas. Madhya Pradesh is well ahead in rural road construction work at a pace of 10 kilometre per day. So far, 10,984 k.m. long roads costing Rs. 2215 crore have been constructed in the state benefiting 4103 villages.

The state has obtained first place in gram, pulses, oilseed production and third in mustard production in the country. The National Commission on Farmers has also lauded the formation of Madhya Pradesh Commission on Farmers, Khet Talab Yojana, fixation of Patwari Halka Unit etc.

Jalabhishik Abhiyan is the name of the campaign under which two lakh projects of water conservation and water augmentation costing Rs. 129.74 have so far been carried out in the state. A Rs. 5000 crore village-wise action plan has been chalked out under the project launched on April 2, 2006. The Abhiyan has taken a shape of people's movement.

Madhya Pradesh lacks coastal boundary. In spite of this fact the state tops in implementation of Fish Farmers Insurance Scheme by insuring 64 thousand 290 fishermen. State ranks third in cooperative scheme for fishermen after Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Madhya Pradesh's achievement is remarkable because contrary to Madhya Pradesh both these states have coastal areas. The fish farming is playing major role in uplifting economic conditions of rural people here.

Industrial investment continues to flow in. Over the period of two and half years the state has received capital investment to the tune of over Rs. 87 thousand crore. In terms of project implementation, state is among top 10 states of the country with an implementation of 72 percent. As per the information published by the India Business Journal, Madhya Pradesh tops with 72 percent followed by Himachal Pradesh with 65%, Rajasthan with 64%, Haryana with 62%, Delhi with 61.7% and Andhra Pradesh with 47.7%. Calling Madhya Pradesh, the most ideal destination for capital investment, Journal foresees the State as future power hub of the country.

Globally, water crisis is posing threat to a number of countries. Yet, in Madhya Pradesh, Jalabhishek Abhiyan has sorted out irrigation problems. State has also achieved second place by supplying drinking water to over 25 thousand habitats under the "Gatiwardhit Jal Praday Karykram" and second place by providing clean drinking water in 2961 villages during months of February, March, April this year under the 20-Point Programme.

Madhya Pradesh pioneers in Tendu leaf collection too in the country. Over 17 lakh 94 thousand standard bags of tendu leaf have been collected in current season. Of this, two third tendu leaf has been sold out through tenders earning a profit of Rs. 33 crore 85 lakh. The state is expected to set a record of profit worth Rs. 39 crore 10 lakh with the sale of remaining stock. The tribal labourers engaged in tendu leaf plucking have been paid wages amounting to Rs. 71 crore 76 lakh.

In implementation of Mid Day Meal Scheme, Madhya Pradesh is ranked second after Uttar Pradesh. Under the scheme, 87 lakh children of 87 thousand 500 schools are being benefited simultaneously providing employment to 12 thousand self help groups. An amount of Rs. 1040 crore 47 lakh 48 thousand has so far been spent in the state under the scheme. The National Law Institute University, Bhopal has also been ranked third in the list of top ten premier law institutions of India in a survey conducted by ORG - MARG recently.

With the implementation of Street Vendors Scheme, Madhya Pradesh opens a new beginning for this section of people. The scheme has earned laurels at national level. On the one hand, Madhya Pradesh has earned "very good" category in 14 points of 20 points programme. On the other, the World Bank appreciated the Madhya Pradesh for the progress made under the DPIP. Madhya Pradesh is the first state according approval of Rs. 2200 crore to the recommendations of Vaidyanathan Committee in cooperative sector.

The Chief Minister, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan says "Sky is the limit. To make our way we must have firm resolve persistence, tenacity. We must gear ourselves to work hard all the way". Observing the spirit hopes arise and foresee a bright Madhya Pradesh ranking top among the row of top ranking states. We can say :

"Victory belongs to the most persevering." - Napoleon

Sunita Dube