54 meritorious students feted
Shillong: Lafarge Umiam Mining Pvt. Ltd. organised a felicitation programme for 54 students from Nongtrai-Shella area and provided stipends to 21 women pursuing weaving, as part of the company’s CSR programme.
The 54 meritorious students from the secondary level to those who have completed their higher studies were felicitated at a function held recently at Shella and Nongtrai, a company statement said.
The company also distributed stipends to 21 women weavers including a sewing machine each to two women SHG groups – Treiminot SHG and Nangkiew Shaphrang SHG.
Apart from this, the company is providing financial assistance to 18 schools under Shella & Nongtrai Village Dorbar and sponsors the bright students for professional studies, it said.
Speaking at the function, local legislator Donkupar Roy said SPV funds will increase the livelihood of the people in the area by providing capacity building programmes for the village supporting various educational and training institutions.
The Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) is an executive body appointed for carrying out developmental within mining areas of Lafarge Umiam Pvt. Ltd. for about 50 villages at the Indo-Bangladesh border in East Khasi Hills. The projects include infrastructure development, education, livelihood projects and irrigation as specified by an order of the Supreme Court.
Lafarge Director Narayan Sharma said the company is working closely with the local Dorbar in implementing the various developmental programmes.
“We believe that one of the major development components like education and skill development are important factors for the sustainable growth and future of the communities,” he said.
Shella village secretary B Ora said Lafarge’s achievement has been to encourage success and consistency in the students’ academic performance.
Nongtrai village headman B Lyngdoh and secretary KP Wahlang expressed appreciation for the company to have set up a secondary school in Nongtrai benefiting the poor students in the village in the absence of a secondary school.
Lafarge also organised an eye camp at Nongtrai in collaboration with city-based Bawri Nethralaya Trust where over 100 patients attended.
Referred cases for further treatment and check-up were being followed up by the company as per need. Cataract operations were also undertaken by the company in partnership with Bawri Nethralaya during the year.