By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 24: A state-level event, PRAISE (Performance Recognition for Access to Financial Inclusion and Street Vendors Empowerment) Awards ceremony, honoured key stakeholders who have made significant contributions to the success of the Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM-SVANidhi) scheme, which empowers street vendors across Meghalaya.
The event, held on Thursday, was organised by the State Urban Livelihood Mission (SULM) under the Urban Affairs department.
Dignitaries in attendance included South Shillong MLA Sanbor Shullai; Under Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Satish Kumar Singh; Commissioner & Secretary of Social Welfare department, Pravin Bakshi; Director Urban Affairs, State Mission Director DAY-NULM & PM-SVANidhi, MSULM, Urban Affairs, PK Boro; former Director Urban Affairs, State Mission Director NULM & PM-SVANidhi, E Kharmalki (retired IAS); and Joint Director-Technical, Urban Affairs department, R Sohkhlet, among others.
Delivering the introductory and welcome address, PK Boro welcomed the dignitaries and thanked the various self-help groups (SHGs) from across the state for their participation.
A significant highlight of the event was the attendance of over nine street vendors, who were accompanied by their spouses as special guests, to celebrate the empowerment of urban street vendors under PM-SVANidhi.
Speaking at the event, Sanbor Shullai explained that the PRAISE Awards aim to recognise best practices under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY-NULM), a programme of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, which acknowledges the achievements of women self-help groups and micro-entrepreneurs. He further explained that the awards were conceptualised as a platform to honour the contributions of key stakeholders, including the State, Urban Local Bodies, banks, and other partners, who have helped make PM-SVANidhi a success.
During the event, Pravin Bakshi launched several key initiatives including the Meghalaya Street Vendors Mobile App, SHG Grading Mobile Application, and the Meghalaya DAY-NULM Website. The dignitaries also unveiled the 10-year report of DAY-NULM and the 4-year state-level report of PM-SVANidhi, which showcased the progress and achievements of these initiatives in the state.
The self-help groups which were awarded during the event are Iainehskhem SHG, Shillong (Green Jobs and Sustainability); Kyrshanlang CLF, Shillong
(Environmental Protection in Recycling of Waste, Community Mobilisation and Growth in Institutional Development); Nokmechik SHG, Tura (Recognition for Community Mobilisation and Growth in Institutional Development, Food Processing); Dabitnalsagittim Community Development Society SHG, Baghmara (Best in Food Processing, Entrepreneurship); Edubridge SHG, Shillong (Most Entrepreneurial SHG, Service Delivery); Tengna SHG, Williamnagar (Best in Service Delivery, Arts); and Weaver SHG, Resuelpara (Best in Traditional Arts and Craft, Textiles and Best in Textiles).
The Meghalaya SULM also held a ‘Loan Mela’ meant to empower street vendors as part of the PRAISE Awards ceremony.
Under Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Satish Kumar Singh, said that Meghalaya has made tremendous progress as far as first loan is concerned. He added that the state has achieved its target in the 2nd and 3rd loan, terming it as a great accomplishment. He observed that the state has made vast potential and envisioned that it can make significant strides with the 3rd loan.