KGKK launches Grassroots Impact Award to honour unsung community champions driving healthcare, education and essential services in Kuhuboto, Niuland.
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DIMAPUR — In a move aimed at honouring unsung community champions, the Kuhuboto Ghakhu Kukami Kuqhakulu (KGKK), in partnership with local bodies under Kuhuboto sub-division of Niuland district, has launched the first edition of the KGKK Grassroots Impact Award.
Grounded in the belief that real change begins at the neighbourhood level, the award recognises individuals who have worked tirelessly—and often silently—with integrity and commitment to uplift the Kuhuboto area.
At a programme held at KGPO hall in Kuhuboto town on Saturday, four individuals were honoured for their service. The awardees were: Dr. Narola, Medical Officer-in-Charge, Primary Health Centre (PHC) Kuhuboto, for excellence in medical service; Sumito Awomi, lineman, Power department, for excellence in utility services; Tovi M, graduate teacher, Government High School Kuhuboto, for excellence in educational services (government schools); and Abeto K Chishi, administrator, Baptist Higher Secondary School Kuhuboto, for excellence in educational services (private school).
Abokali Jimomi, a member of the award’s organising committee, told this newspaper that the Grassroots Impact Award highlights lingering gaps in human development and social progress in Kuhuboto and the wider society.
She added that despite these challenges, countless dedicated citizens—unsung heroes who work sincerely, go the extra mile without complaint and seek no recognition—continue to drive the community forward.
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The newly launched award, she said, not only honours such individuals but also calls upon every citizen to take responsibility, come together and build a spirit of shared progress.
Dr. Narola was honoured for her exemplary dedication and tireless medical service to Kuhuboto Ghakhu. Under her leadership, PHC Kuhuboto has emerged as one of the leading healthcare units in the state, earning the Best Performing Government Office in Niuland District (2025).
The centre is now one of only four rural PHCs in Nagaland to receive National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certification from the government of India. It has also achieved the highest NQAS score of 93.76% among rural PHCs in the state and has received the PHC Kayakalp Award and commendation for four consecutive years, marking a significant stride in expanding grassroots healthcare access.
Sumito Awomi was honoured for his exemplary dedication to uplifting Kuhuboto Ghakhu. Since his induction, he has demonstrated an exceptional work ethic, remaining on call at all hours.
His patience and commitment have helped resolve grievances and expand grassroots access to essential utility services.
Tovi M was recognised for his dedicated service to the upliftment of Kuhuboto Ghakhu. Since 2015, his contributions have extended beyond classroom teaching to include academic administration, coordination of NBSE-related work and management of computer-based tasks essential to daily school operations.
His efforts have strengthened a government school in the region and expanded access to quality education.
Abeto K Chishi was honoured for his leadership and commitment to education. Under his stewardship, Baptist Higher Secondary School Kuhuboto has grown from a modest 57-student institution in 2011 to 470 students in 2025, becoming one of the first schools in the region to offer higher secondary education.
From the awardees’ perspective, Dr. Narola said that the recognition was encouraging for service providers and that instituting the award annually could further motivate them.
She shared that while the PHC was already functioning well when she took charge, improvements in infrastructure and staff accountability had significantly enhanced service delivery.
Abeto said that Baptist Higher Secondary School was founded in 1992 under the sponsorship of Western Sümi Baptist Akukuhou Küqhakulu (WSBAK). He joined the institution 15 years ago, after which it was upgraded to a high school in 2015 and to higher secondary level this year.
He identified affordability as a challenge for parents, adding that WSBAK currently sponsors 40 financially disadvantaged and orphaned students.
Tovi, a Karbi Anglong resident, recalled that frequent teacher transfers had once reduced enrolment at the government school, forcing him to teach multiple subjects, including English.
He stressed the need for greater community involvement to improve enrolment despite modest gains so far.
On the same day, the KGKK also launched a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative for village schools in collaboration with Bhartia Infra Projects Ltd, in the presence of its general manager P Raju, distributing 20 RO water filters and five power inverters.
The initiative was prompted by a students’ union survey in 2025 that revealed a lack of basic amenities such as clean drinking water and power backup in most schools.
Student leader Kumgha highlighted that Kuhuboto has no examination centre, forcing students to travel nearly two hours to Niuland.
In response, the KGKK and the Kuhuboto Ghakhu Public Organisation are covering transport costs on examination days and providing free tuition for Class 10 students.