Development is not only about road construction: Hekani

Advisor for Department of Industries & Commerce, Hekani Jakhalu during the foundation stone laying ceremony at Hazadisa village, Dhansiripar on November 15. (Morung Photo).

Advisor for Department of Industries & Commerce, Hekani Jakhalu during the foundation stone laying ceremony at Hazadisa village, Dhansiripar on November 15. (Morung Photo).

Community mobilised Livelihood School for Rural Women to be set up in Dhansiripar

Morung Express News 
Dimapur | November 15 

Advisor for Department of Industries & Commerce, Hekani Jakhalu while noting on the importance of road construction needed for connectivity mentioned that people’s concept of development of a society should not only be confined to it alone.

“Development is not only about building roads or gates, there are different aspects to it,” she said. It also involves improvement in education, gender parity, the business sector among others. 

The Advisor made the remarks during the laying of the foundation stone for Livelihood School for Rural Women & Multi Centre for Youth Resources at Hazadisa village, Dhansiripar Dimapur on November 15.

Jakhalu acknowledged that the Dimasa/ Kachari people and other minor communities were among the most marginalised groups in Dimapur. Under Dimapur-III, there are about ten villages in total of the Dimasas. During the recent state assembly elections 2023, she had pledged to turn it into a model constituency which would be the first for the State if proven successful.  For this, she reminded the area leaders to be responsible and have renewed focus towards the development of their villages, communities.

Community driven initiative
Providing a brief overview of the project, Jenpu Rongmei, founder & chief functionary of Can Youth stated conceptualisation first began in the year 2014. 

The educational school/ centre if completed would enable the reduction of unemployment among youth and women through the creation of sustainable opportunities.  Although a private initiative, it involves the community as a whole to be a part of the decision making process and sharing of resources, Rongmei said. 

In addition, the objectives of the project would be to provide skill development for the villagers, by engaging them in income generating activities along with enhancing knowledge in financial literacy and inculcating sustainable development practices. 
As per the concept note shared by Rongmei, the centre aims to enroll and train about 400 women and youths each year with a three months course for each batch.  “For it to succeed it is the need of the villagers to take ownership and responsibility,” he viewed.

Representation submitted for repairing of roads  
Taking the opportunity to meet with their area representative, the Chairman of the Hazadisa village council submitted a representation to the Advisor stating that the road condition leading up to the village was in a very poor condition for which urgent repair was needed. 

The Chairman shared the grievances of the village people and the difficulty faced especially by pregnant women while travelling from their place of residence to other locations.