Shillong: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma handed out Rs 39.50 crore in community funds this Tuesday. The money went to 5,064 Self-Help Groups. It helps 40,513 households statewide. This event took place at Lariti in Mawkasiang, Shillong, during the Advancing the Care Economy through Early Childhood Development Fellowship program.
Sangma views the mission as a direct investment in the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. He noted support from the Asian Development Bank, the Union Ministry of Finance, and the Prime Minister. “By investing now, we will build the necessary manpower to lead the country by 2047,” Sangma said. Success requires teamwork, local ownership, parental focus, and constant administrative monitoring.
The fellowship now spans all 12 districts in Meghalaya. It employs 1,606 local youths to assist families with children under three years old. These fellows conduct home visits and promote play-based learning alongside Anganwadi workers. The program actively recruits young men to foster shared parenting roles. Fellows receive Rs 48,000 over one year, scaling from Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 per month based on performance. Participants earn NCVET certificates as Child Health Workers, Coordinators, or Carepreneurs.
Dignitaries gave out kits, guidebooks, and competition awards. Attendees included Additional Chief Secretary Sampath Kumar, NCVET Director Lt. Col. Vikram Singh Bhati, and ADB Principal Health Specialist Dr. Dinesh Arora. Officials from the Social Welfare, Health, Education, and Community and Rural Development departments also attended the event.
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