Declining insurgency fosters development in rural areas of Nagaland

SEITHEKEMA VILLAGE - With decline in insurgency, infrastructural development is taking place once again in Nagaland, especially in its rural areas.

The change can be witnessed, particularly in villages where government-sponsored schemes are being implemented.

Nagaland’s Seithekema village is one such example. Located 20 kilometres from Dimapur on the National Highway-39, it exists as a hamlet.

Established in 1979, it is located along the Valley of Parkai Mountain Range and inhabited by Angami tribals.

The people here are reaping dividends of peace, as today various Centreal government sponsored schemes like Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Guarantee Scheme, Old age pension and Below Poverty Line Scheme have reached the village.

Work for construction of link roads was started here recently from funds provided through the Village Development Board.

Rokoneivi, Village Council Chairman of the Seithekema Village, says: “The Government provides us funds through village Development Board. Road construction, irrigation facilities and other developmental projects are taking place in the village.”

Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for villagers here. Livestock rearing and poultry farming under a Self Help Group (SHG) provide an additional source of income.

Neinu, a member of Mevi Krotho Self Help Group in Seithekema Village, says: Some of us rear pigs, hens etc. We use the income we earn from the self-help group to meet our family expenses.

The village has access to education and health services as well.

The government primary school under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) or, education for all scheme, provides free textbooks and mid-day meal to students.

For higher education, the students go to Dimapur, the main commercial hub and one of the three municipalities in the Nagaland with the other two being Kohima and Mokokchung.

The village has a medical sub-centre that not only caters to the needs of the local residents here but also others from neighboring villages.

Medochuno, in-charge of the Medical Sub-Centre in Seithekema Village, says: “Our health sub-center has no building and we use an old village community building. We look after health needs of people of seven nearby villages.”

“With the implementation of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme, we constructed a boundary wall and have extended the schoolrooms, and improved toilet and water facilities,” said Eichongunuo, village teacher in-charge.

Today, with a scope for consistent development due to peace and a better livelihood and improved infrastructure, the general life here has undergone transformation.

Villagers feel that things would become better. By Peter Chachei(ANI)