Shillong (Meghalaya ), Oct 15 : The Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society, Block Mission Management Unit (BMMU) Mawryngkneng, East Khasi Hills District today organised a ‘SHG Mela’ at Smit village, East Khasi Hills District. Banteidor Lyngdoh, Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare Minister attended the inaugural programme as Chief Guest and Lambor Malngiang, local MLA & MDC as Guest of Honour.
Speaking at the inaugural programme Lyngdoh expressed happiness to witness the increase in women groups coming together to form SHGs which plays a very important role in uplifting the economy of the society. He urged the SHGs to unite and to work hard in order to strive for higher success. The minister stated that the monetary assistance received should be used accordingly in order to further uplift their work and services so that more opportunities can be availed by the members. He also urged other deserving SHGs who had not yet received the monetary assistance under NRLM to come forward and apply in order to avail the same.
Lyngdoh stated that the objective of this Mela is to provide a platform for the SHGs to showcase their talents in the form of unique products and also to sell their products, he also stated that it is also an opportunity for the SHGs to share and interact with each other and exchange ideas and views. While lauding the women groups for coming together and forming these SHGs, he also urged upon them to pass on the message to others in order to achieve maximum participation.
He stressed that the SHGs should have certain criteria for achieving goals as setting targets will instill a sense of competition among themselves which will ultimately result in the production of qualitative and unique products.
During the day the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour distributed Cheques under NRLM to 8 Village Organisations and Sanction Letters to 3SHGs.
Others who were present include P T Passah, Project Director, DRDA, East Khasi Hills, R Kynta, COO, MSRLS among others.