Chizokho Vero
Kigwema | September 19
Vice president of India Dr. M. Hamid Ansari was all praise the concept of communitization in Nagaland, which is about substantially improving the quality and delivery of public services such as the elementary school, rural health centre, the power distribution at the grass roots by harnessing the age-old social capital available in the community.
Visiting Kigwema village today, 13 km away from Kohima, Dr. Ansari termed the communitization programmes as a living example of social contract and a model for the rest of the country.
He said many ideas are extremely innovative which can be borrowed and improved upon by others. Vice President said he was touched by presentation of reports by various village committees and the works that has been done.
Dr. Ansari said that hearing about the organizational structures of functioning reminds him of what Mahatma Gandhi said that India lives in its villages. Stating that his visit to the villages was very useful and education for him, the Vice President said that society functions under basis of social contracts.
During interactions with the gathering, Vice President queried whether the village committees faced any difficulty and as to how to solve in the area of health and the major health problem faced by the people. He also wanted to know whether there was interaction between students and parents.
Before proceeding to village council hall for a meeting, Vice President visited a traditional house and experienced the lifestyle of the rural people.
Also speaking on the occasion, Governor Nikhil Kumar said the Vice President proposed to visit Tuensang today but due to certain weather condition it was cancelled at the last moment.
Kumar said their coming at Kigwema has been a great pleasure and beneficial by hearing the report of various village committees.
Kumar said the points have been noted and it will see that the difficulties are removed. He also conveyed deep appreciation to the villagers for the excellent arrangement to receive the Vice President and other dignitaries. He also looked forward to visiting this village in future.
Alemtemshi Jamir, Additional Chief Secretary highlighted the concept of communitization and functioning of VDB in Nagaland. He said Naga people have rich social capital in the community, adding that the community is the social security net here.
The Village Education Committee asserted that the arrival of communitization has improved the environment of school infrastructure, also schools are now equipped with proper sanitation system, free text books being made available to school children. It also increased the enrolment and witnessing better academic result. Teachers became regular and more sincere.
Village Electricity Management Board maintained that communitization has brought about stable and proper power supply in the village. Village Health Committee asserted that communitization helped strengthen health awareness among the villagers and the case of diseases had drastically gone done. Water & Sanitation Committee also talked about the proper management of water supply in the village and ensuring proper sanitation.
VDB secretary highlighted the various schemes (both central and state) being implemented under the supervision of Village Councils and looked forward to more development for the upliftment of rural people.
The programme was chaired by MLA Vikho-o Yhoshü, Advisor IT & C while welcome address was delivered by Zapu-o, chairman, Kigwema Village Council. Minister for Power Doshehe Y. Sema, Minister for Health & Family welfare Kuzholuzo Nienu, Minister for PHED Dr. Ngangshi Ao and several parliamentary secretaries and government officials were also present at the function.
