Minister Jacob Zhimomi attended the second annual general meeting of the Lydia Block Federation in Niuland.
DIMAPUR — The Lydia Block Federation in Niuland held its second annual general meeting on June 27, with Minister of Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) and Cooperation Jacob Zhimomi attending the event.
Congratulating the federation for its journey, Zhimomi stated that the Central government is constantly pushing for women's upliftment and progress, with continuous support extended to self-help groups across the country for self-reliance and sufficiency.
According to an update, highlighting the health and sanitation sector, the minister pointed out that women across the country are no longer bound by hazardous kitchen smoke, which adversely affects the respiratory system and shortens life expectancy.
Attributing this change to free LPG schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, he said the state government is making every effort to ensure this benefit reaches every woman across Nagaland.
With regard to women's safety, Zhimomi praised changes observed across the country due to programmes like the Swachh Bharat Mission and Jal Jeevan Mission, under which women no longer need to travel to far-off places to relieve themselves or to fetch water.
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Reiterating that women are the backbone of every household, he credited the Lydia Block Level Federation for its work as a vocal platform for women's empowerment, a facilitator of rural income enhancement, and a promoter of financial independence, representing 80 per cent of the total households.
Comprising about 1,500 self-help group (SHG) members, 25 village-level organisations (VLOs), and 205 SHGs under its umbrella, the Lydia Block Level Federation connects SHGs to government and financial institutions. There are currently 270 Lakhpati Didis from this federation out of a target of 500.
Imonenla Imkong Phom, State Project Manager, Institution Building and Capacity Building and Monitoring and Evaluation, Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM), also spoke on the occasion and exhorted the gathering to continue to aim higher and achieve bigger goals rather than limiting themselves to smaller objectives. She expressed encouragement at the active participation of Niuland women, noting their significant role in sustaining the local economy.
As part of the annual general meeting, the minister also presented awards to the best community cadres, VLOs, and SHGs.