Strap: Officials, frontline workers recognised for development push; weeklong Akanksha Haat launched to promote SHGs
HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Aug 2: The District Administration of Dima Hasao on Saturday held a special award ceremony to recognise the commitment and performance of district and block officials, along with frontline workers, for their contributions under the Sampoornata Abhiyaan — a flagship initiative under NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Block Programme.
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The event, titled Sampoornata Abhiyaan Samman Samaroh, was held at the NL Daulaguphu Auditorium of Haflong Government College.
According to an official statement issued by the district administration, the ceremony aimed to acknowledge the significant efforts made towards achieving saturation in key development indicators across the district’s aspirational blocks.
Highlighting the relevance of the Aspirational Block Programme, Deputy Commissioner Munindra Nath Ngatey called upon all stakeholders to treat the district’s inclusion among aspirational blocks not as a matter of prestige, but as an urgent call to action.
“Being identified as an aspirational block is not a badge of honour. It is a reminder that transformation is required — and possible — through sustained and focused efforts,” he said.
Ngatey also stressed that the knowledge and experience gained in achieving progress under key indicators must now be channelled into accelerating development in lagging sectors.
“One must put shoulders to the wheel and work diligently to ensure that the name of the district is listed out of aspirational blocks,” he added.
The Aspirational Block Programme covers 500 blocks across 27 States and 4 Union Territories and aims to drive improvements across six core thematic areas — Health and Nutrition, Education, Agriculture and Water Resources, Financial Inclusion, Skill Development, and Basic Infrastructure.
Dima Hasao has four such blocks: Diyung Valley, Diyungbra, Jatinga Valley, and New Sangbar.
In line with the development mission and to promote local enterprise, the district administration also launched Akanksha Haat, a weeklong event scheduled from August 2 to 8.
The haat has been set up in the parking area near the Tularam Amphitheatre and features a vibrant exhibition and sale of local goods produced by Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from all four aspirational blocks.
The initiative not only aims to create market access for indigenous products but also to highlight the creative and entrepreneurial potential of rural communities in the district.
The exhibition is open to both residents and visitors, offering a unique opportunity to purchase authentic handcrafted items and locally grown produce.
The inaugural meeting of the programme saw the participation of several senior officials, including Principal Secretary of North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), Partha Jahari, Additional Deputy Commissioners, and department representatives from various line departments.
The event underscored the administration’s focus on evidence-based governance and accountability, while promoting collaborative, community-driven development.
