A two-day VHW convention for four Hindi speaking states of Rajasthan, M.P., U.P. and Bihar was organized at Ayudhya by PANI, one of our Khoj partners. The following Khoj projects participated in the convention: SURE Barmer, GVVS Jodhpur, Ekat Bodhgram (all from Rajasthan), Manav Sewa Kendra, Sewapuri Benaras, PANI Faizabad (from U.P.), Sambhav Shivpuri (M.P.) and Sacred Heart Health Centre Betiya, Shramjeevi Unnayan Jamshedpur (Bihar).

"Panchayati Raj: Opportunities and Challenges" was the major theme of discussion. Considering their enormous experience in working with panvhayats, PANI was chosen as the local organizers. The Convention was packed with interective sessions on a variety of subjects like SHGs, Women's Empowerment, Communication, Health and Working with Panchayats etc. Experiences of health workers from PANI, who were also working as Panchayat members, was quite interesting and provided keen insights into general working pattern of PRIs,i.e. their limitations, problems and prospects. The Convention generated a number of new ideas on IEC and greater motivation to face new challenges.