Share
Dellirose M Sakhrie, Secretary of Social Welfare Department, speaking at the 3rd ECS SHG district level conference cum revival programme on November 3.[/caption]
Dimapur, November 5: Department of Social Welfare officially launched the communitisation of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) on November 3 in Tuensang district. The unique initiative is being implemented in collaboration with Eleutheros Christian Society (ECS) which will be carried out in 20 villages of Tuensang district during its initial phase.
Dellirose M Sakhrie, Secretary of Social Welfare Department and chief guest,said ICDS is a comprehensive scheme to cater to 6 basis services for children between the age of 0-6 years and lactating mothers, ie, supplementary nutrition, pre school non- formal education, nutrition &health, education, immunisation, health check-up and referral services. She hoped that the decentralisation process to communitise ICDS will serve all the objectives and ensure effective functioning of Anganwandi centres in their respective localities.
She further encouraged the community to be aware about their entitlements and make ICDS function effectively in the district.
Merang T Aier, Director of Social Welfare, shared that the department will be handicapped without the support of the community. He said ICDS scheme can be successfully implemented in the State only if the community leaders and stakeholders are willing to actively participate and make it their own.
Rev. Dr. Chingmak, Secretary of ECS, shared on the initiatives undertaken under ICDS and gave a power point presentation on the status of children and their development indicators in the Anganwadi centres.
Alemjongshi, Deputy Commissioner, Tuensang, testified that ECS is a well-established society and committed to genuinely serve the people. He hoped that more NGOs will work like ECS to make Nagaland a better State.
Bano Vinito Chishi, Chairperson of Nagaland State Social Welfare Board (NSSWB) and guest of honour, encouraged the community leaders, mothers and SHGs to come together and work for the wellbeing of children in their respective villages.
Gracy Ayee, State Coordinator of State Resource Centre for Women, shared about Women Helpline (181), a 24x7 helpline toll free number, and One Stop Centre which caters to women affected by violence. She also gave information about schemes for girl child namely Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Sukanya Samriddhi Account Scheme Yojana.
Asalie Alex Kruse, Project Manager of NSSWB, shared about microfinance and Self Help Groups and the benefits that can be availed under the National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation.
Social welfare Department officials later travelled to Hakchang and Maksha villages and visited the Anganwadi Centres being implemented by the ECS as communitiasation project of ICDS.