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Indian nominee Seema Bahuguna has been unanimously elected to the post of Asstt. Secretary General of the International organization Afro Asian Rural Development Organisation (AARDO), for a four year term. The election came at the 53rd session of the Executive Committee of AARDO held at Damascus, the capital city of Syria early this week. The election of the Indian candidate was facilitated following withdrawal of candidature by 10 countries in favour of India. The election of Indian candidate to this prestigious post can be seen as the recognition of India’s emerging position of pre-eminence as the champion of the cause of the developing nations of the region through South-South cooperation. The election underscores the fact that India has a key position in the matters of rural development and poverty alleviation and socio-economic upliftment in Africa and Asia region.
The Indian delegation led by Secretary, Dept. of Rural Development, Govt. of India Pratyush Sinha, which is currently in Syria in connection with the Executive Committee meeting and General Conference of AARDO played a crucial role in achieving unanimous election of the Indian candidate. India’s chances got a boost due to help received from 11 member countries of the Executive Committee including the current President Egypt which played a major role in forming the consensus in favour of India. The diplomatic efforts and multilateral parleys by the Indian Embassies in the 11 Executive Committee countries also contributed substantially in the process.
Seema Bahuguna, an Indian Administrative Service Officer of 1983 batch of Rajasthan cadre is currently Additional Director General, Foreign Trade in the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India and has held a range of senior assignments in the Central and provincial governments including in the sectors of rural development, women and child development, micro credit orientation etc.
AARDO formed in 1962 is an autonomous inter-governmental international organization comprising 28 countries from Africa and Asia with its headquarter in New Delhi. The main objective of the AARDO is to provide assistance in evolving an integrated approach to rural development for more effective and speedier reconstruction of Afro-Asian societies and economies. AARDO also aims at facilitating exchange of successful experiments in the field of rural development and flow of technical assistance among its members. AARDO is devoted to develop understanding among member countries for promoting welfare, eradication of thirst, hunger, illiteracy, disease and poverty among rural people and to assist member countries in obtaining financial and technical assistance for rural development programmes.
India has played an important role in the formation and functioning of AARDO since early 60s and is one of its founder members. India is fully committed to ensure that the AARDO cares and develops to the advantage of all the member countries. Government of India has provided building for the AARDO Secretariat in Delhi and is incurring expenditure on its maintenance. Moreover, India is the highest contributor in financial terms to the organization. India also accorded diplomatic status to AARDO thereby enabling the organization to avail of certain immunities and tax-free incentives. India is also providing 36 fully paid training scholarships for HRD programmes of the organization. India considers the election of its nominee to the AARDO post as a further opportunity to fulfill its commitments towards AARDO through direct involvement in the future development and expansion of the organization.
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