Imphal, March 26 2009: With a view to bring about development in rural areas that have been allegedly long ignored by the Government of Manipur, World Vision India, Sadar Hills Area Development Under Senapati-Manipur) in partnership with Village Development Committee have initiated a series of work for children pecially under 18 years of age with funding from the United States and other countries like Japan, Hong Kong, Canada, etc.

In this regard, the World Vision India also gifted the Sadu Lampak Nepali village in Sadar Hills a football and volley ball grounds Wednesday and inaugurated the same.

Addressing the gathering, L Michael, committee development coordinator of World Vision India asserted that the programme of the organisation was to change the living standard of the people pecially those in the rural areas.

The World Vision enters those places that have been long ignored by the Government of the state nor set foot on it, added Michael.

He further informed that the organisation entered the Sadar Hills of Manipur in 1996 and started developmental works a year later with special emphasis on education of youths.

Informing further that World Vision India was a Christian NGO with a vision to develop knowledge and education of the youths and provided infrastructure for the same, L Michael also stated that the NGO also gives out free plastic water pipes, vegetable seeds, awareness on agriculture and the likes.

He also informed that World Vision gives awareness on child rights, trafficking, all for the development of rural areas.

Meanwhile, one of the villagers asserted though their village was just about 14-15 kms away from Imphal no concerned MLAs or state officials have approached them to enquire about their living condition.

However, thanks to World Vision and their plastic water pipes, the village does not suffer from water scarcity as it used to and even the condition of inter village roads have improved a lot, the villager exclaimed.

Also addressing the gathering, Vinod Raisaly, custom relation service of Guwahati programme monitoring office asserted that it was for the Nepalis to give up their old ways of life of rearing sheep, goat and cows and turn to education for development.

He also assured the village of help from the World Vision India.

S Seijang Hoakip, also addressing the gathering as guest of honour stated the time for change was here and that education was the change.

He also urged upon the people of the village to send their children to school.

On the other hand, informing of the condition of the Sadu Lampak village and the neighbouring areas, a villager stated all the essential needs such as communication, transportation, electricity and mid-day meal were now available in the area except the Public Health and Engineering Department (PHED) with was hampering the water supply of the said area.

All the ponds have dried and cracked but thanks to World Vision India, the area has sufficient drinking water, the villager added.

And as for the mid-day meal, the villager informed the children were being paid in cash instead of meal.

Comment