MAWKYRWAT, Nov 27: PHE Minister and local MLA, Renikton L Tongkhar has called on youths to take up entrepreneurship so that they may eventually own influential companies that will take up big projects.
The Mawkyrwat MLA, speaking at the self-help group (SHG) Mela-cum-Health Camp here, said that the idea of working together, pushed by the Centre and state government through the Meghalaya State Rural Livelihood Society (MSRLS) favouring SHGs across the state, has brought a huge impact into the society.
Tongkhar said, “It is very interesting that we received this teaching, which is little strange to our ‘Jaitbynriew’, and our state as a whole; that is working together. In our ‘Jaitbynriew’, we say what we cannot do is work together, especially in business. Therefore, I am very happy to see that the Government of Meghalaya and Government of India are teaching and encouraging the people to work together through SHGs, wherein schemes are provided to groups and not individuals. This is a great teaching for our ‘Jaitbynriew’”.
Talking about instilling this idea of collaboration in the youths, he added, “I have always encouraged youths and told them that the time has come for them to have the courage to form company. I am very happy to inform you all that there is a group of youths who are ready to take up even the power projects by forming the company. It will be a pride to the ‘Jaitbynriew’ if the youths from Mawkyrwat one day take up the power projects for generating electricity.”
With regard to loans provided by banks to the SHGs, the PHE minister has urged SHG members and youths to take a step forward in availing such facilities to start their own enterprise.
As part of the programme, organised by the Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society, Mawkyrwat, awards and certificates were distributed among three villages – Wahsiej, Pyndensakwang and Laitlawsnai – for providing support to the SHGs, five active village oranisations, five most-active SHGs, 11 community cadres, besides certificates of appreciation to 39 SHGs in which all members have been vaccinated.
On the other hand, Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) also released funds to three producer groups – Nangkiew Shaphrang Producer Group from Mawthawpdah, Iahmonlum Producer Group and Iatreilang Producer Group from Marshilong village.