About 200 Gram Sevaks and Sevikas from the Garo Hills region today signed an undertaking to reaffirm their role and pledged to transform the rural development sector of the State.
The undertaking was signed during a one-day transformation workshop held at Asananggre under Rongram Community and Rural Development Block in West Garo Hills district organised by the Community and Rural Development Department in collaboration with State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD), Meghalaya State Capability Enhancement Project (SCEP) and All Garo Hills Gram Sevak and Sevika’s Association (AGHGSA).
This is the first of a kind workshop which organisers hoped will be an example of Meghalaya’s community members coming forward to transform the development process by taking due ownership and responsibility of the transformation process and by prioritizing their purpose. Similar workshops are scheduled to be held in Khasi and Jaiñtia Hills regions soon.
The role of the institution in improving multidimensional poverty in Meghalaya and their close proximity with communities which can help to identify and address the root causes of poverty, such as lack of access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities were emphasized in the workshop.
Group discussions were also conducted to facilitate thought-sharing, and to hear the Gram Sevaks’/Sevikas’ perspectives about their role, challenges and long-term expectations.
An online survey was also conducted during the workshop, to understand their current role and responsibilities and enable the respective departments to prepare a roadmap to strengthen the institution.
C&RD Principal Secretary Sampath Kumar said the Gram Sevak/Sevika is an ‘institution’, and not merely a position, and the need for building and strengthening this institution is something that the State has realized, which the workshop, is taking steps towards realizing the same.
He emphasized that the institution is crucial institution as it can build trust in the public for the State administration, which is crucial for development.
