Shillong, June 13 – On the second day of the District Nutrition Leadership Programme (DNLP) workshop, the atmosphere inside the packed conference hall at Courtyard by Marriott, Shillong, felt different—purposeful, intense, and unusually quiet. After a day of deep, district-led deliberations, the stage had shifted. The Human Development Council (HDC) of Meghalaya took centre stage—not to merely review updates, but to listen, reflect, and make decisions that could shape the state’s approach to its most fundamental development challenges.
On Day 1, district teams presented analyses of nutritional vulnerabilities from their respective blocks, grounding their strategies in data from NFHS, POSHAN Tracker, and the Health Management Information System (HMIS). These sessions went far beyond standard presentations; they captured lived experiences, constraints, courage, and grassroots problem-solving. The final day saw the HDC—an apex platform chaired by the Hon’ble Chief Minister—coming together for the first time to allow district-level insights to directly inform state-level decisions in real time.
The Council, chaired by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma, brought together senior cabinet ministers, the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretaries, the Development Commissioner, and Deputy Commissioners from all 12 districts.
Over the past year, the HDC has evolved from a high-level review platform into a nerve centre for cross-sectoral collaboration. With departments often working in silos, the Council is breaking down those barriers—bringing together Health, Social Welfare, Education, Agriculture, Rural Development, and others to speak in one voice. The DNLP workshop served as the backdrop, where Deputy Commissioners presented real-time data, implementation challenges, and grassroots innovations. The Council listened closely. From nutrition gardens in schools to mismatches in district-level data, the Chief Minister took note—and responded with action.
In his keynote address, the Chief Minister laid out a bold three-pronged roadmap. First, he announced the state’s intent to increase its own budgetary support to improve both the quality and taste of nutritional supplements. Second, he proposed piloting parallel nutrition delivery models in select blocks—led by Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and rooted in local food systems. Third, he confirmed an annual allocation of ₹9–10 crore for constructing Mini Anganwadi Centres in 1,400 currently uncovered villages, ensuring that no child is left behind when it comes to access to nutrition and early development services.
Voices from the Ground
Adding to the momentum, district officials, block officers, and grassroots functionaries also echoed similar sentiments.
Cherime W. R. Sangma, MCS, BDO of Rongram Block, West Garo Hills, shared a powerful testimony on the impact of home visits under the Human Development Leadership Programme (HDLP). Reflecting on a visit to Botegre village following a maternal death, she emphasized how timely interventions can rebuild community trust and bridge service delivery gaps. The HDLP, by enabling both top-down leadership and bottom-up engagement, fosters coordination between officials and frontline workers to meet real needs on the ground. Through simple shifts, the initiative promotes empathetic, conversation-led interactions with high-risk families—ultimately strengthening last-mile delivery.
Tosanbha Marwein, BDO of Mylliem Block, East Khasi Hills, also shared his reflections from an HDLP visit to Rngi Shyllong and Rangbihbih villages on May 23, 2025. The visit, which included officials from multiple departments and newly recruited MCS officers, focused on high-threshold resistance villages, where hesitation to access government schemes was prevalent. Through house-to-house interactions, the team discovered that reluctance was often rooted in misinformation and fear, rather than outright refusal. Empathy, active listening, and consistent engagement helped bridge these gaps.
His visit also brought to light unique stories—such as a 19-year-old born without hands pursuing higher education, and a school dropout with remarkable weaving skills—reinforcing the importance of personalised interventions and targeted support. His testimony underscored the power of human connection, cross-sectoral collaboration, and the importance of people-centric development in advancing the shared vision of “People, Purpose, and Progress.”