The year 2009 marked fifty years since Nagaur in Rajasthan saw the foundations of Panchayati Raj institutions being laid in India. Fifty long years, in which this institution has grown from strength to strength, bringing a large community of hitherto left-out people into the folds of governance. Fifty long years in which the common Indian from the remotest corner of the country has proved that he knows what is best for himself, his family and society, and that given a little support, he can think, decide and act for the collective good of his community. Fifty long years that have helped us rediscover the collective strength of the people at the grassroots after we almost lost it under the torturous period of subjugation by the British. Observing the year 2009-10 as the Year of the Gramsabha was a reconfirmation of this strength of the people.