Source: The Sangai Express / Addie Chiphang
Ukhrul, May 23 2009:
In the wake of NREGS programmes being executed in the far flung areas of Ukhrul district, a media team comprising Ukhrul District Journalist Association (UDJA), Journalist from Nagaland, freelancer and a couple of senior journalists visited the western areas of Ukhrul district recently for the first time.
During our brief but in-depth observation with an independent survey, the team particularly chipped in to the programmes of NREGS taken up in these areas and learnt that creativity, communication and community care for over all economic stability, education and environmental awareness were found to be their main major factors that make them distinct from the rest of the aged old orthodox livelihood.
The team in the meantime also learnt from these areas that many scholars, professors and top ranking officers belonged to these very areas.
Interacting with The Sangai Express, Tuinem village Headman, Ngamchuipei Wungmarong Shimray who is the first MA student amongst the Tangkhul Wungnaolong (Tangkhul Headman/Chief Association) informed that the success of the community development requires full participation of all the local citizens.
The extent to which people participated from grass root level in all activities depends upon their knowledge of the issues at stake and understanding of how these issues affect their lives, he added.
The team who observed NREGS works in these areas marked Tuinem village to be the best benefactor of NREGS.
When asked about their opinions, the villagers stated that understanding NREGS should be viewed as an integral part of development to create viable system and strategies that could provide opportunities for people to have access to relevant channels and make use of them to improve the quality of their lives.
One elderly woman, who does not want to be named said, due to the introduction of the NREGS, domestic economic, road connectivity, etc are emerging as an important parameter in the true sense of socio-economic, political and cultural domains.
According to the villagers, this scheme turns out to be a source of building more transparent and democratic society.
They, however, viewed the percentage cut by various groups as a disgrace and expressed their resentment over the alleged involvement of local leaders in such a disgusting act.