Content updated : 25th April 2006

A training on the SHG concept from 6th to 12th March 2006

A training on “SHG Concept” was held from the 6^th to 12^th March 2006 at the State Institute for Rural Development, Umiam. There was a total of 49 participants comprising of the Project Managers, Co-ordination Officers and Finance Officers of all the five District Management Units and representatives from the Nine Facilitating NGOs (FNGOs) that will be partnering with MRDS in the implementation of the Livelihood Improvement Project for the Himalayas. Mr. V. Yenjerappa and Mr. Michael Baburay from the MYRADA Jagruthi Training Centre, Holakera were the resource persons.

           In addition to the lectures, games, group discussions etc that were held during the training, an on-field training also took place at Rangthong village, Mawkyrwat, West Khasi Hills District, where the participants conducted exercises with SHGs there.  

           8th March being observed as Women’s Day the world over was also celebrated at the training venue where the resource persons asked the women participants to share their thoughts about the day. Manager- Gender, NGO/CBOs also circulated a write up about Women’s Day to all participants entitled “Reaching for half the sky”. A special tea was also shared among the participants to mark the occasion. 

  The training concluded on the 12^th March 2006 with a small certificate distribution ceremony. The Chief Secretary of Meghalaya Mr. S.K. Tiwari who is also the Chairperson of MRDS graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Mr. Tiwari. encouraged and inspired all present by sharing his views on poverty and reminding us that poverty is about power and powerlessness and that any attempts to eradicate poverty will need to address the issue of power.

The Project Launch Workshop of the MRDS on 16th March 2006

The Project Launch Workshop of the MRDS was held on the 16^th & 17^th March 2006 at the Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian Synod Convention Centre. The Project Launch Workshop was inaugurated by the Honorable Chief Minister of Meghalaya Dr. D. D. Lapang. Others who spoke on the occasion were Shri. S. K. Tewari, Chief Secretary to the Govt. of Meghalaya and Chairman MRDS and Shri. Kishen S. Gill, Senior Portfolio Manager, UNOPS, Bangkok. Shri. E. P. Kharbhih, Project Director MRDS gave a brief introduction of the Project to the distinguished guest, officials, invitees and participants of the Project Launch Workshop. 

After the inauguration there was a two day technical session wherein various topics and issues relevant to the Project objectives were discussed. These topics and issues are :

(a)        Brief outline on the basic Project concept and methodology by Shri. Kishen S. Gill, Senior Portfolio Manager, UNOPS, Bangkok and Project Director, MRDS.

(b)       Sharing of experiences of early Project Implementation issues of twin IFAD Project Director by Smti. Jyotsna Sittling, Project Director, Uttaranchal Livelihood Implementation  Project for the Himalayas (ULIPH).

(c)        Role of traditional institutions/civil society community mobilization and delivery  system by Shri. T. Blah, Project Expediter, MRDS.

(d)       Discussion on Gender, NGO, CBO and SHGs facilitated by Manager Gender, NGO  and CBO- ULIPH and MLIPH. (e)        Presentation on SVCC – by Smti. Jyotsna Sittling, Project Director, ULIPH.

(f)         Details of Loan Administration, special Accounting, Initial Deposits, Retroactive Financing, Withdrawal Application, Financial Reporting, Audit Procurement     Procedure and Administrated Facilitated By Shri. Kishen S. Gill,   Senior Portfolio Manager, UNOPS, Bangkok and Shri. S. Sriram, Asst. Programme Officer IFAD   Field Presence Unit.

(g)        Brief remarks on Project design by Shri. Mattia Prayer  Gallati, Country Programme Manager, IFAD-Rome

(h)        Preparation of Annual Work Plan Budget by Shri. Mattia Prayer  Gallati, Country Programme Manager, IFAD-Rome There was also a brief presentation made by the MRDS partners like ICIMOD, UNIFEM, NABARD and Shri. Sarath Ilanganlitike, Regional Leader South West and Central Asia –International Potato Centre.