The Meghalaya government has been going all guns blazing to improve its human development indices. The hill state lagged behind all the other north-eastern states except Assam, in the 2011 UN Human Development Report. The government has, along with private parties, since taken measures to improve the overall living conditions and development in the State. In the 25 villages I visited in the Umling and Jirang blocks of Ri-Bhoi district, the Holistic Rural Development programme takes care of the community’s well-being and overall improvement. Four of the 25 villages had individual household water connections in 2017 while seven more (three in Umling and four in Jirang) will have them by 2018. This has improved sanitation conditions in these villages.
The State that boasts the cleanest village in Asia, Mawlynnong, Meghalaya has directives for its citizens, as well as tourists, to avoid dirtying public places. It has imposed a fine of up to ₹5,000, and even jail for repeat offenders. The results of the strict public policy against littering are visible for all to see.
Programmes to encourage sustainable agricultural practices and organic farming are underway. Orientations are held regularly, soil health cards provided, and new crops introduced. Orientation on micro-enterprises and skill training are conducted. The promotion of livestock farming has contributed to increasing family incomes. The renovation of schools in these villages has seen the introduction of ‘smart’, or digitally-enabled, classrooms.
Rajeev Tyagi is a Delhi-based photojournalist