Gramin Vikas Trust (GVT), in support of HDFC Bank Parivartan, launches Holistic Rural Development Programme (HRDP) in Namchi on Wednesday. BDO Namchi, Upendra Rai, CMO NDH, Dr. SN Adhikari, JD Education Department, GP Sharma, CDPO Namchi, Laxman Tamang, Deputy Director, Agriculture Division, Nation Rai, are the invited guests.

Panchayat Presidents and members, Village Development Committee and GVT facilitators are amongst the other participants of the event.

GVT is an NGO supported by Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited (KRIBHCO), Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizers, GOI, and DFID, UK (source).

With its working office in Bhutia Busty Namchi, GVT Namchi, is currently running with eighteen members. Including, Project Manager, Samuel Rai and Community Mobilization Expert, Shikha Rai, facilitators and office staffs. GVT Namchi also have built fifteen Village Development Committee (VDCs) for collecting datas for smooth implications of projects.

HDFC Bank Parivartan is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program that aims to improve the social and economic development of India. Parivartan’s initiatives include education, healthcare, financial literacy, and skill developments and are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) too (source)

GVT Namchi, after launching it’s programme on September 2024, has carried out numerous record breaking projects within four months.

It is working in nine villages of Namchi Block and six villages in Melli Block. Singithang, Boomtar, Phalidara, Maniram, Rong, Bul, Singtam, Sumbuk, Suntaley, Turuk, Palung, Paanchgharey, Lunchok, Kamarey and Salleybong.

The six thematic activities under HRDP of GVT Namchi may be mentioned as :1. Natural resource development 2. Education and early childhood care3. Health and sanitation improvement 4. Skill development and livelihood enhancement 5. Capacity Building, and6. Sustainable agricultural practices

Natural resource development

GVT Namchi carrying out the installation of solar streetlights in fifteen villages, have distributed solar mini homelights, targeting students and women. GVT Namchi jave installed retaining walls in the landslide prone areas.

Education and early childhood care

Targeting in the early childhood care and educational achievements, GVT Namchi has targeted primary schools and ICDS. Installation of smart classrooms, renovation works, and providing sports kits and first aid kits.

Health and sanitation improvement

Target ICDS and schools get toilet installations, and upgradation of PHCs and PHSCs with health equipments. Another ground breaking activity includes installation of clean drinking water stations. And bala-paintings is another activity of cleanliness goal.

Skill development and livelihood enhancement

GVT Namchi has already worked in two – value addition of millet and distribution of almost 9000 piglets in the fifteen targeted villages. And are planning to train interested villagers in handloom and handicrafts, complete with the installation of a unit.

Capacity Building

GVT Namchi have trained ten facilitators for the fifteen villages to collect datas necessary for the smooth implications of the HRDP projects. And have instituted Village Development Committees in each of the villages for ground level assessment.

Sustainable agricultural practices

With an objectives of creating a sustainable agriculture, GVT Namchi has established Farm Equipment Bank in Gupti which is under Nilkamal FPO. The distribution of climate resilient crops, especially millets and buckwheat, is already made. GVT Namchi is planning to organize animal health camp before the end of GVT annual plan 2024-25, ie, by March this year.

BDO Upendra Rai, while commending the works of GVT Namchi, shares some plans of Sikkim Government. And advices the members of GVT Namchi that the youths should come forward to support those plans.

Community Mobilization Expert, GVT Namchi, Shikha Rai, while sharing the future plans, have shared that they are planning to work in convergence with various line departments of Sikkim Government. KVK Namthang, Rural Development Department, Agriculture and Animal Husbandary, Handloom and Handicrafts, and Namchi District Hospital.