LAB-TO-LAND INITIATIVE (SIRD, Mizoram) Block: Thingdawl ; District : Kolasib Government of Mizoram constituted State Level Committee on Lab-to-Land Initiative under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Minister, Rural Development and Parliamentary Secretary, Rural Development Department as Vice Chairman.  

District Level Committee on Lab-to-Land Intitiative chaired by Deputy Commissioner concerned was formed. Block Level Committee on Lab-to-Land Intitiative chaired by SDO (Civil) concerned was also formed. These committees were to: Decide the modality for dissemination of in formation regarding various Development Programmes implemented in rural areas. Demonstrate the achievements and good practices of various Development Programmes implemented in the rural areas. Obtain feedback for improvement in training, Communication and overall development strategy.

As desired by the MoRD, Situation Analysis was done in the selected Block and presentation was made on it. Thingdawl RD Block in Kolasib District was selected to begin the Lab-to-Land initiative in the state. For this purpose a review meeting was called by the Deputy Commissioner of Kolasib on the 3rd March, 2011. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Zairemmawia, Addl. Deputy Commissioner, Kolasib

Members who attended the meetings were: Pi Lianhmingi Pachuau, Project Director, DRDA, Kolasib. Pi Zosangliani Colney, APO, DRDA, Kolasib. Pu R. Lalramnghaka, Director, SIRD, Mizoram, Kolasib. Pi Margaret Lalbiakthangi, CF(RD), SIRD, Kolasib, Pu R. Lalhmangaiha, VCP, Thingdawl. Pu Lalzamlova, President, Central Branch, YMA, Thingdawl.

Awareness on Lab-to-Land initiative and Recruitment of Volunteers programme was held at Community Hall, Thingdawl on 7th March, 2011. Addl. PO (MGNREGS) was appointed as Counselor for volunteers. There were 33 participants from different villages and these participants were advised to make their respective villages aware of this programme and select willing volunteers to be Bharat Nirman Volunteers.

Block Level Meeting was organised by the Block Development Officer, Thingdawl RD Block on the 16th March, 2011 at his office. This was attended by all VCPs, leaders of YMA and MHIP of villages within Thingdawl RD Block excluding Thingdawl Village. Director, SIRD Mizoram attended the meeting and appraised the members. It was decided that a filled up registration forms be submitted not later than 25th March, 2011.

A letter was sent by the Director of SIRD, Mizoram to all the Project Directors, DRDA in Mizoram requesting the number of household and availability of staff to function as trainers of Bharat Nirman Volunteers so that Lab-to-Land initiative can be extended more quickly. Reports have been received from few RD blocks regarding the number of household and available staff to function as trainers.

Quiz have been uploaded in rural. nic. in, diksha portal * Quiz have been uploaded in rural.nic.in, diksha portal. However, there is difficulty to upload in local language since our local language has similar script with English alphabet. * Uploading of SIRD Training Calendar for the year 2011-2012 has been completed and uploading BNV Form for Volunteers is also completed.   ~ Five batches of Bharat Nirman Volunteers training was conducted at SIRD Campus, Kolasib for Volunteers within Thingdawl RD Block. ~ 17 villages were covered through these trainings and 143 volunteers attended the training. One batch of training was a three day programme.

From their feedback, it was observed that these volunteers were happy to have the privilege of working for the society in acting as a guardian of the Bharat Nirman Programmes. We could notice their eagerness and willingness to go out and give their best in helping the smooth running of rural development. They expressed that the trainings they attended and the reading materials provided were resourceful and will be guiding torch as they start their role as volunteer in their respective areas.

The topics covered under BNV training were: MGNREGS overview and implementation Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY) Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) Watershed management Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP)/National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) Total Sanitation Campaign Swaraj Jayanti Gram Swarojghar Yojana (SGSY) National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and Role of BNV

Reading materials were prepared by the Faculties of SIRD, covering the above mentioned programmes in local language and were provided to the Volunteers who attended the training for their further reference.   Another phase of Training have been started for the Elected Representatives and NGOs under Lab-to-land initiatives. These trainings will cover all the ERs and NGO representatives of the villages where Bharat Nirman Volunteers was set up. Resource Persons were called from line departments for various schemes. The trainees responded very well and they expressed that they have benefited a lot from the training. The total number of participants are 33. Another batch covering even the political workers is to be started on next Tuesday.

..... Thank you ………..