SHILLONG, Dec 19: In a bid to put spotlight on the communities of Meghalaya, a programme was held to celebrate the good work of the communities in different sectors of rural development and livelihood enhancement, at the State Convention Centre here.
The programme aimed at enabling communities from all over the state to share their knowledge and transmit lessons and information on a variety of subjects ranging from traditional knowledge, natural resources management, and entrepreneurship to financial inclusion and community organisation aiding in the transformation of individuals and communities.
A total of 12 communities and individuals were felicitated, as they received a platform to share their best practices and innovations. The programme was organised under the IFAD support Megha-LAMP project, exclusively for the communities, and by the communities with the support of the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA).
In his address, chief guest of the occasion Commissioner and Secretary Dr Vijay Kumar D said the MBMA is working to highlight interesting stories from Meghalaya and articulating them with the outside world.
Kumar added that it is important to note that the work of the externally aided projects of the government of Meghalaya is being recognised at the highest levels. Giving an example, he said the Megha-LAMP project was supposed to end in December 2022, but has instead been extended by the Government of India by another two years with additional financing of USD 20 million to expand on various best practices.
He cited the example of the Khasi Mandarin which made headlines recently when it was exported to Dubai for the first time and now stands on special display at the LuLu Hypermarket chain of Malls.
The initiative was entirely done by the Ganga Integrated Village Cooperative Society (IVCS) from South Garo Hills with minimal facilitation by the government, which is testimony to their capabilities.
