Meghalaya’s Gram Sevaks-Sevikas pledge commitment to rural transformation

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 3, 2023

The Community and Rural Development Department, Government of Meghalaya in collaboration with State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD), Meghalaya and the All Meghalaya Gram Sevaks-Sevikas Service Association (AMGSSA) conducted a one-day workshop on Transformation for Gram Sevaks and Gram Sevikas of Meghalaya at SIRD Meghalaya, Nongsder on August 1.

The aim to strengthen and motivate fellow Gram Sevaks-Sevikas to better serve the rural areas for rural development. The main objectives of the workshop is to identify a roadmap in strengthening the Gram Sevaks and Gram Sevikas of the State.

About 100 (one hundred) Gram Sevaks and Gram Sevikas from Khasi, Jaintia & Garo Hills region participated the one-day transformation workshop. Also, Officials from C&RD Department, SIRD and Meghalaya State Capability Enhancement Project (SCEP) participated in the workshop.

During the workshop, the Gram Sevaks and Sevikas affirmed their roles in rural development by signing an undertaking, pledging their commitment to transform Meghalaya’s rural development. The participants provide valuable insights on ways to strengthen Gram Sevaks and Gram Sevikas and highlighted the challenges faced by them through focussed group discussions.

In her opening remarks, the Director of SIRD Meghalaya, Sanme R Marak, MCS, welcomed all dignitaries and expressed her appreciation to all stakeholders in initiating the workshop.

Addressing the gathering, FR Kharkongor, IAS, Commissioner and Secretary of the C&RD Department, praised the AMGSSA for initiating the capacity building workshop. He emphasized that the Gram Sevaks and Sevikas are the most important building blocks of development in the State by comparing them with ‘living root-bridges between the government and the people’. They are the harbinger of hopes and the one who bring solutions to the many challenges and to bring development as the motto says ‘To Inspire and to Deliver’. He emphasized on the need to champion the cause of development in rural areas and expressed that each one of them are already champions in the eyes of the community.

In his speech, SC Sadhu, IAS, Secretary C&RD Department, further mentioned the importance of redefining the role of Gram Sevaks and Gram Sevikas in changing circumstances. There is a need to transform Gram Sevaks and Gram Sevikas with present scenario in terms of implementing the flagship schemes and at the same time bring convergence with other departments who are working in the field of rural development for better service delivery and better development in the rural areas in the long term.

President of the AMGSSA, Banshan Lyngdoh also addressed the audience and mentioned that the workshop would boost their morale so that they can work more harder and dedicate themselves especially when dealing with rural population.