Shillong, Sept 16: In a significant milestone for Meghalaya’s progress and development, the State’s ‘Chintan Shivir’ under the NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Block Program was convened by the Community & Rural Development (C&RD) Department for the three Aspirational Blocks of the state on Friday (September 15, 2023).

This pivotal event aimed to chart a comprehensive development strategy for the aspirational blocks of Umling of Ri Bhoi District, Amlarem of West Jaintia Hills District, and Resubelpara of North Garo Hills.

Chaired by Raja Brahma, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Ri Bhoi District, the ‘Chintan Shivir’ garnered participation from the District and Block Officials of different line departments including Health, Social Welfare, Agriculture, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, PHE and the C&RD Department.

Notable attendees included officials from NITI Aayog; Dr. Priscilla C Ngaihte, the Regional officer for Northeast Eastern States, Bhaskar Kashyap, Assistant Director and State Nodal Officer for the ABP; Himani Sachdeva, Consultant Specialist; Dr Shelly Dabiya and T. Prachi Sharma, Young Professionals along with Eric Kevin Dkharthe BDO of Umling C&RD Block, Gameliel L.C Mylliem BDO of Amlarem C&RD Block and Verdi Sangma BDO of Resubelpara C&RD Block.

During this intensive ‘Chintan Shivir,’ attendees were presented with comprehensive data on Umling, Amlarem and Resubelpara. Moreover, detailed insights into ongoing initiatives across various government departments, spanning healthcare, education, infrastructure, and more, were shared. The core focus remained on enhancing key development indicators while fostering active engagement and participation from local communities.

Dr. Priscilla C Ngaihte, the Regional Officer for Northeastern States, introduced the NITI Aayog team and encouraged active participation by inviting everyone to introduce themselves. Dr. Ngaihte emphasized the purpose of the visit, which was to assess the progress of the ‘Chintan Shivir’ in the block. She mentioned the forthcoming presentation of baseline assessments of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and the documentation thereof.

Furthermore, the Block Development Officer of Umling C&RD Block presented their approach and strategy, focusing on the PDIA (Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation) methodology. The BDO of Amlarem and Resubelpara also highlighted the need for ANMs to visit households more frequently, particularly with the establishment of Village Health Councils (VHCs). The VHCs will play a vital role in identifying Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) cases. While discussing the challenges faced by the block, the BDO of Amlarem Block stated, “We have a clear intention to prioritize various sectors, with a strong emphasis on education. We recognize the pressing need for improvement, and our plan is to adopt a community-driven approach to enhance the quality of education.”

The Blocks demonstrated a commitment to addressing pressing issues and driving progress.

Further, two dedicated individuals from each aspirational block stepped forward to provide a glimpse into their invaluable work on the ground. They passionately articulated their roles and shared their experiences, illustrating the program’s tangible impact on local communities. These individuals, the unsung heroes of development, showcased how they are instrumental in shaping positive change from the grassroots.

As the event concluded, a pledge was made by all involved to continue their dedicated efforts in transforming these regions.

Also read: Female drug peddler caught with heroin in North Garo Hills

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