Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 23
A.M GOKHALE, former Chief Secretary of Nagaland and largely acknowledged as the brain child behind the formation of Village Development Board (VDB) in Nagaland, is set to retire on January 31 this year. Gokhale is at present Secretary Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES), New Delhi. An IAS officer of the 1968 batch and belonging to Nagaland cadre. Gokhale also served as Deputy Commissioner Phek.
The people of the Phek district bade farewell to him on Saturday while recalling his invaluable contribution to the district in particular and Nagaland in general. “The strength of Nagaland lies in the village. Unfortunately, that strength does not reflect in the government’s functioning. It has to be corrected,” Gokhale said in his message to the people of Nagaland soon after announcing the sanctioning of seven Bio-Mass Gasifier projects spread over different parts of the State.
Gokhale gave a brief picture about the establishment of the first VDB at Ketsapo village in Phek district and passionately recollected that the first VDB at Ketsapo village was established on December 11, 1976 with Dukhweyi as the first VDB Secretary in Nagaland.
He said that a long cherished dream was thus started 30 years ago and now another journey has begun with the hydro project at Tuphaleri which had earlier been inaugurated by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday last.
“We the people of Chakhesang shall always remain indebted to you for your great service to us,” Minister Kuzholuzo Nienu, said in a message giving Gokhale accreditation for the implementation of VDB system while pointing out that this initiative had brought governance to the grassroots level for all-round social empowerment.
On January 22, Gokhale held a meeting at the Tuphaleri Hydro Project site with the village. Stating that we have embarked on a long journey of success Gokhale urged them to encourage other neighbouring villages to start the same and enjoy the benefits of getting electrification of their own and enjoy the fruits of their own project towards achieving self reliance.
On his way back from Phek, warm farewell was accorded to him by many villagers along the way ending at Pfutseromi village for his love and affection towards the people of the area.
Nagaland Governor Shyamal Datta had earlier said in a message, “The institution of VDBs has, indeed, proved to be a successful innovation to harness the social capital of our people in rural areas. Started in Phek district under the visionary leadership of AM Gokhale, the concept did not take long to take roots in other district”. Like wise, Rural Development Minister Noke had said of the VDB: “The institution of VDBs, which is synonymous with the concept of decentralized planning, was the brainchild of Shri AM Gokhale, the then DC Phek.”
Home Minister Thenucho had written, “A.M Gokhale with the guidance of his father late Shri MS Gokhale, a renowned Socialist developed the idea of forming an institution based on the traditional village administrative structure and the strong community life that existed in the villages.”
It must be mentioned that in the introduction of the Nagaland Environment Protection and Economic Development through People’s Action (NEPED)” in 1995, the tireless efforts of Gokhale has likewise been acknowledged. NEPED is an agroforestry project funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Agro forestry system is an alternative to jhum cultivation. After the introduction of NEPED the forest coverage in Nagaland has increased remarkably.
(with inputs from DPRO Phek)
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