Our Correspondent
KOHIMA, FEBRUARY 2
With a vision to cover entire Nagaland and neighbouring states to switch to energy efficient fuel and solar lighting, the Entrepreneurs Associates (EA) had successfully launched its pilot project ‘Metu (Jyoti)’ (A ray illuminating Nagaland) in December 2014 for six villages under Phek district. The project is being supported by Axis Bank Foundation (ABF), Mumbai the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Axis Bank Ltd.
Giving a brief highlight on today’s meeting on providing rural lighting and environment conservation through energy efficiency solutions, Neichute Doulo, Coordinator (CEO), EA said, conservation of the exotic forests of Nagaland being a key aim of the program, EA provides affordable rural lighting through the use of solar lamps rather than candle lighting and also use of smart cooking stoves to reduce felling of trees for firewood.
At the same time, he said, it provides better economic opportunities to marginalized rural tribal farmers by reducing daily household expenditure on candles while increasing productive time of farmers to focus on profitable livelihood and income generation. However, he said the big challenge in the beginning is to find support of people who believe and share their vision and cause towards sustainable livelihood and conservation of the ecosystem. He thanked ABF Mumbai for believing and sharing their dreams.
Gracing the programme as the chief guest, Mmhonlumo Kikon, Parliamentary Secretary, Labour & Employment (Skill Development) and Border Affairs acknowledged the noble and innovative venture of EA and the support extended by ABF towards the farmers of the state, thereby changing the perceptions of livelihood among the people.
He said, the venture though a beginning is monumental shift which they have achieved together, and hoped the initiative will enable to engage more support in days to come.
Citing the issue of illegal immigrants and Bangladeshis capturing the retail markets in the State, Mmhonlumo appreciated Neichute Doulo, who through EA is trying to deal with the issue in a different way without any racial issue by creating a culture of entrepreneurship in the State. Terming as a remarkable achievement and revolutionary, Kikon assured of the government support to bring a change in the State.
Also addressing the gathering, Sentiyanger Imchen, Commissioner, Justice, Law & Parliamentary Affairs said government expenditure on employees is too large, leaving very little for plan or development. Stating that government will have to raise its own resources, he urged the people to look for employment and business outside government sectors.
This will be a big challenge as it will be difficult to move away from dependency syndrome and easy money, he added.
He also pressed on the need for people to move towards a model of economic growth where people can generate employment and income from available local resources and skills with the goal of self-reliance.
And appreciating the EA for promoting entrepreneurship and self employment, he said an organisation like EA will have to expand the area and scope of activities.
Executive Trustee (ET) & CEO, Axis Bank Foundation, Mumbai Anil Kumar expressed happiness that they could make a difference by changing the lives of the marginalized people.
Also urging on the need to plant and conserve trees, Kumar said this project can be a harbinger for a much bigger thing to come in the future and gather momentum in course of time.
C Babu Joseph, former ET & CEO ABF, Mumbai noted that a small initiative that began years ago has resulted a huge impact at the grassroots level. He urged the villagers to ensure that the project is successfully implemented and asked EA to properly document the project and showcase it as a model for others in the future.
Two farmers- Sozülo Doulo from Thetsumi Village and Müzüvolü Khesoh from Chesezu Village shared their success stories that they benefitted from the project and thanked the EA team for bringing the project to the farmers.
