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DIMAPUR — Chairman of Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), Abu Metha, inaugurated the installation of solar street lighting in Sovima and Chümoukedima villages and Sulabh public toilet at District Hospital Dimapur implemented under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of IDAN via digital medium today at Rhododendron Hall of Police Complex in Chümoukedima.
The projects consisted of 28 solar street lights in Chümoukedima village, which was supported through the CSR initiatives of Alkem Laboratories, and 56 solar street lights in Sovima village supported through the CSR initiatives of HDFC bank and NABARD's Rural Infrastructure Promotion Fund (RIPF).
The Sulabh public toilet complex at District Hospital, Dimapur, was spearheaded by Sulabh International Social Service Organisation with support from Boeing facilitated by the IDAN.
On the occasion, another initiative in tourism sector was launched known as ‘Nagaland Tourism Connect Scheme,’ an innovative tourism taxi scheme with redefine subsidy models for sustainable development. In this regard, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between IDAN and SBI.
Speaking at the inaugural prorgamme, Metha said that the installation of solar lights in rural villages not only signify progress but also signal Nagaland's commitment to embracing green practices and utilising renewable energy. He added that by adopting such initiatives, the rural communities in Nagaland were conveying a message to various agencies about their environmentally friendly approach.
Metha also assured the corporate sectors and financial institutions that within IDAN's current work culture, any CSR or corporate support reaching the people of Nagaland through IDAN, would guarantee transparency in the project implementations.
While acknowledging that such facilities are required more in interior areas of the state, IDAN chairman assured transparency and accountability in the implementation of those facilities with an aim to earn the trust and confidence of the various corporations and agencies.
In regard to ‘Nagaland Tourism Connect Scheme,’ Metha mentioned that one of the deficit areas in Nagaland tourism industry was lack of good transportation system. To change the narrative, he stated that the state government has conceptualised the taxi loan scheme so that money spend by the tourist directly impact the state.
As per analysis undertaken by an independent group, Metha mentioned that the economic impact during the Hornbill Festival last year was INR 109 crore.
Short speeches were delivered by representatives of Health and Family Welfare; technical advisor of Sulabh International, ND Rajkhowa; general manager of NABARD, Tiakala Ao; branch head of HDFC, Lanuakum Jamir; VCC of Sovima, Sebastain Zumvu; and representative of Chümoukedima village, Setevikho Tsukru.