1st NRLM SHG general conference held

The 1st National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) Self Help Group’s (SHGs) conference of Japfüphi Thenuko Block Level Federation (JTBLF) under Rural Development block Jakhama, Kohima was held at Kigwema Council Hall on Saturday. The conference was organised and financed by Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP), Jakhama block and was supported by Block Mission Management Unit, Nagaland State Rural Livelihood Mission (NSRLM), Jakhama block.

Deputy secretary, horticulture Vikhweno Chale, in her address as special guest in the inaugural session, encouraged beneficiaries to work hard with utmost dedication and sincerity. She urged them to not go after easy money by collecting donations. She said the banks were reluctant to give loans to people because the people are not sincere in repaying them. She, therefore, encouraged beneficiaries to repay loans at the right time.

Block program manager, SVEP, NSRLM RD Jakhama Selabeituo Theünuo, in his address, said SVEP was a non-farming program launched in 2014 and implemented first in Nagaland among North East states. He said that till-date, the program is being implemented in Jakhama and Chumukedima blocks and would be implemented in the remaining districts by the end of 2019.

Selabeituo said the main target of the program was to encourage and help unemployed youth to take up livelihood skills by imparting training on various skills and business activities. “Presently we have trained and finance 939 beneficiaries”, said Theünuo. 

President JTBLF Jakhama block, Hovisale Khatso, in her presidential address, reported that under Jakhama block, in all 12 village Level Organizations (VLOs), there are 227 Self Help Groups (SHGs) along with 2227 SHGs members. 

Sweyekul and Virielie Thaprü (beneficiaries who deal in taxi services and men’s saloon respectively), shared their success stories. 

Short speeches were delivered by Vitshu Yhome, Block Program Manager (BPM), NSRLM Chiephobozou block; Siechalie Yhoshü, chairman, VCC Kigwema; Vitseituo Mephfuo, block program manager BMMU, NSRLM Jakhama.

The program was chaired by Lebu Luho; invocation was said by Zhavi Kire, pastor, Kigwema Baptist Church; a special song was presented by Pete VLO and Kedakelie VLO; and a vote of thanks was proposed by Neilakuonuo Livi.

The resource persons in the business session were BPM SVEP, NSRLM RD Jakhama, Selabeituo Theünuo; managing director, Kohima Old Age Home, Neithonuo Liegise; and HOD Sociology, Kohima College, Kohima, Dr. Kekhriesenuo Christina.

 Hundreds of beneficiaries from twelve villages under Jakhama block attended the conference.