KOHIMA: Yoruba village in Phek district won the distinction as Nagaland’s first smart village, which was inaugurated by the director of Census Operation/ director of Citizen Registration Nagaland, Anoop Khinchi, during a programme held at Yoruba village ground on Thursday.
Speaking at the introductory programme, Khinchi expressed his delight and congratulated the residents of Yoruba village for resolving to develop the village. He also acknowledged the team led by Dr. Priyanand Agale, founder president and Pioneer of Eco Revolution Movement and Eco Needs Foundation, for coming forward to develop the village.
According to Khinchi, smart village means making the life of the citizens comfortable and easy with amenities with essential services at the door steps of the people in coordination with various departments. He also stressed on the need to venture in rubber, tea and coffee plantations and to rejuvenate and manage spring-shed for water supply for human consumption.
Viewing that ecotourism has a huge scope, he urged the villagers to think for balanced biodiversity and have sustainable plans to conserve the environment and be in consonance with nature to develop economy and livelihood.
Also speaking on the occasion, Dr. Priyanand Agale said history was created with the introduction of the first smart village in Nagaland. He informed that there are over 50 schemes for the development of the rural areas in the country. He added that smart village initiative, unlike government scheme, is a continuous effort to ease the living of the people in the village at present and having futuristic approach development.
Dr. Agale then stated that smart village is the collective efforts of villages, administration, corporate social responsibilities (CSRs), public representatives including MLA and MP to develop the village with all basic amenities to ease living of the people. He pointed out that the smart village initiative means making the effective utilisation of all available resources.
Adding the concept of smart village, the speaker stated that smart village means making the use of technology, natural resources and the model of sustainable development and most importantly care of the environment.
He informed that under the smart village programme, not even a single household would be left behind on the development. He also highlighted the five elements- retrofitting or modifying and beautifying existing structures; re-development as per needs and technology; Greenfield-environment related, E-pan which stands for technology, focusing on communication and e-learning and livelihood to provide learning and skills to enable people to earn.
In this regard, he has called for efforts of all the citizens of the village to bring about change and underscored the important role of women and youth.
Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by Vethisa Lohe, chairman of Yoruba village council, while an introductory speech was delivered by Dr. Cisoi Khusoh, joint director (retired).
The programme was chaired by Vetsokho Lohe, smart village team, while prayer was offered by Rev. Zaseyi Veswuh, pastor of Christian Revival Church, and songs were presented by Yorubami Women Welfare and Cisanyi Lohe and friends.
To mark the occasion, a smart village walk was undertaken from Lakeview till local ground followed with planting of tree saplings by the guests.
