Medziphema, the first village in Nagaland to have a power plant

MEDZIPHEMA - The mountainous state of Nagaland is rich in both flora and fauna. A visit to any village offers an insight into a unique way of life and of a people who undertake daily chores with a smile on their faces.

Medziphema is one such village. It is the first in the state that have its own power plant, a plant that fulfill its energy needs. Blessed with fertile land, the village is a beneficiary of centrally-sponsored schemes.

Located 45 kilometres from Nagaland capital Kohima, Medziphema is a serene and quiet place where 325 families live.

Its fertile soil is suitable for pineapple cultivation and is a major source of livelihood for the villagers. Beekeeping and rearing of animals are other means of making a living.

Villagers lead simple lives, and they strive for more growth and development.ome government developmental schemes like the biomass gasifier power plant and road construction under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) are being implemented here.

In addition, NGOs and civil organizations are also providing voluntary services like free medical camps in the village.

“Due to the unfinished construction of the biomass gasifier plant, power generation is not possible for the time being. We have even tested the plant and it was successful, but due to some pending work from the company’s side, we are not able to inaugurate it,” said Rokovor, the chairman of the Medziphema Village Council.

The village’s primary school has 130 students.

Recently under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) (or, education for all) scheme 2008-2009, the school’s building was renovated.

Students here avail free textbooks and at times a free mid-day meal.

“To me, development means development of our students. In order to do that, we need sufficient teachers and classrooms. So, far, we have just eight classrooms and only four government teachers. If we want to achieve quality education, we need sufficient teachers,” said Vizokotuo, one of the schoolteachers.

Under wage employment schemes of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 (NREGA), the villagers are given job cards.

“Not every villager has the below poverty line (BPL) ration card to get essential commodities at the subsidized rate, but we are fortunate that our villagers do get it from time to time along with the old age pension scheme from the center. I also appeal to the government that whatever scheme it formulates; let it reach our village,” said Krievotso, a villager “NREGS is the main centrally sponsored scheme for the village right now. Under the scheme, the construction of the main link road of Temv|kar|, which is about seven kilometers in length, has already started. Villagers have benefited from both Center and state sponsored schemes,” said Rokovor.

With the availability of government schemes and funds, the need of the hour is for the concerned authorities to ensure that they are implemented properly. This will ensure that the benefits of such government help should reach villagers and ensure a positive change here. By Peter Chachei (ANI)