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Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 9 (EMN): The convergence of effort from the community, government and non-government organisations helped build the ‘People’s Bridge’ -- a 10 km link road and 70 feet bridge over Yijung River -- in Tuensang's Hakchang area in 16 months’ time.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio virtually inaugurated the bridge from Kohima on Tuesday.
The total cost of the 70 feet bridge and the road is INR 1.20 crore, while it also received contributions in kind.
The initiative was led by seven village councils and churches, supported by self-help groups, and mobilised by Eleutheros Christian Society (ECS) led by its secretary Reverend Chingmak Chang. The Hans Foundation was the major funder in the initiative, bearing 60% of the cost.
The project was initiated to provide villagers staying in remote areas with better access to healthcare facilities.
Congratulating the people's effort, Rio said the model should be taken to other areas and assured support in the venture. The basic requirement of any human being is education, healthcare, connectivity and accessibility, he said.
"Government convergence with the community and stakeholders is the answer for our people. It is a lesson for all of us. We should see that we promote our people so that we can grow.
“This convergence has taught a lesson to all and should be learned by others. It should be an eye opener and implemented in all the districts,” Rio asserted.
Respective administrators and officers must take responsibility in converging the community and government, Rio said.
He went on to add that he had seen so much strength in the community and it should be utilised.
He assured all support for expansion and adoption of the road.
“Government undertakings are either failed or economically not viable. There are very rare success stories about government plans because it is not properly guided,” he observed while urging the communities to take ownership of any developmental activities.
Brig. Shalendra S Katariya, chief operating officer of The Hans Foundation, spoke about the initiative taken in Nagaland so far. He said that their charitable trust aspires to expand its work in the state and sought government’s support.
The foundation plans to set up medical units and health centres, build girls’ hostels in Kiphire, tea factory in Tuli, water supply in Chuchuyimlang etc. He also announced that Hans Foundation had on Monday consented to donate INR 26 lakh towards the construction of culverts along the newly constructed road bridge.