All districts in state should have basic infrastructure, tells Governor La. Ganesan

WOKHA— It is my endeavour and wish that every district in Nagaland has four basic infrastructure namely education, adequate healthcare, good roads and banking facilities, said Governor La. Ganesan on Thursday.

He was addressing a joint meeting with the heads of offices and civil society organisations in Wokha.

Informing that elementary education is a constitutional right, he said programmes and initiatives including free textbooks, mid-day meals and free elementary education have re-defined the role of the state in the educational system.

The governor said that through flagship programmes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Rastriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan and Project Nectar (funded by the World Bank), the government has been able to enhance school infrastructure, appoint teachers and post them to schools that face teacher shortage.

However, he admitted that they still have a long way to go to reach the benchmark of quality education for all our citizens.

On healthcare service in the district, the governor said it is an important focus area and that “quality healthcare should be our ultimate goal.”

Ganesan shared that the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), which was launched in 2008 to improve the healthcare delivery system in the rural areas, has boosted the health sector in a big way.

“Today, so many government health-related schemes are in operation including Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and our state’s own CM Health Insurance Scheme,” he said, while urging the departments concerned to take these government schemes to the doorsteps of the citizens.

Pointing out that Wokha district has been aptly called the “Land of Plenty,” he said it should live up to the name and become the “food bowl of the state”.

Ganesan said that it was his earnest wish and desire to see Wokha as a developed district one day and contribute immensely to the state as well as the nation.

He urged the Lothas to uphold the rich legacy left behind by their forefathers and let peace prevail to allow development to flourish.

He further called upon everyone to be good model citizens for the state as well as the country.

“As good citizens, we have to be law-abiding and also co-operate and work hand-in-hand with the government — both at the Centre and in the state.

“We have to reaffirm our commitment to the democratic values and ideals enshrined in our constitution. We have to work harder in our march towards a united, strong and prosperous nation,” he said.

During the meeting, Wokha civil society organisations, including the Lotha Hoho and 11 other organisations submitted a memorandum to the governor on behalf of the Lotha community.

In the memorandum, the civil society organisations requested the governor to hand over the Wokha-Bokajan road to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) or to give sanction for taking up the road construction project.

On this, Ganesan assured to take up the matter with the Ministry concerned.

Lotha Students’ Union president Lirhonthung E Kithan also shared some major grievances faced by the student community including poor road connectivity to Mt. Tiyi College and drug menace prevailing in the district.

Department of Health and Family Welfare, PHED, Lead Bank District Manager, Forest, Environment and Climate Change, NEEPCO and PWD (R&B), presented departmental activities undertaken in the district. Later, the governor held a security coordination meeting with the district administration and police.