Shillong: Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district witnessed a high-profile engagement as Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur, undertook a comprehensive two-day field visit to assess the implementation of welfare programs targeting women, children, and rural communities. Her itinerary covered key institutions and initiatives operating under the umbrella of central government schemes.
Kicking off her visit at the One-Stop Centre “Shakti Sadan” in Mawroh, the Minister met with 18 women, aged between 18 and 50, who are currently undergoing vocational training. Thakur spent time in personal interaction with the residents, applauding their resilience and the centre’s role in aiding their social and economic rehabilitation. She expressed confidence in their ongoing journey toward self-sufficiency and dignity.
Her next stop was the Child Care Institution in Mawkasiang, where she drew attention to the need for sustained psychosocial support and the provision of quality education to children in care. She praised the dedication of the institution’s staff, who play a critical role in ensuring the safety and holistic development of the state’s most vulnerable young citizens.
In Mawsmai, Thakur visited an Anganwadi Centre and reviewed essential services being delivered under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme. She inspected the delivery of nutrition programs, preschool education, and health check-ups. Recognizing the tireless work of Anganwadi workers, the Minister emphasized the importance of community involvement in promoting the welfare of children and mothers, particularly in remote areas.
Health services for mothers and children were also under scrutiny at the Sohra Community Health Centre. Thakur assessed the availability of life-saving medicines and the coordination between healthcare and nutrition programs. She reiterated the central government’s commitment to bridging healthcare gaps in underserved tribal regions and praised the local administration for its efficiency in implementing these vital services.
The Minister’s visit also included an interaction with beneficiaries of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G). She evaluated the ground impact of these flagship rural development schemes on employment generation, housing, and basic infrastructure. Beneficiaries shared their experiences, and Thakur noted that these programs were actively enhancing livelihoods and economic security across the district.
Concluding her visit, Minister Thakur commended the coordinated efforts of district officials, local leaders, and grassroots workers in uplifting the lives of women and children. She affirmed the Centre’s continued support to Meghalaya in ensuring that progress at the policy level translates into meaningful change at the community level.
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