Sampoornata Abhiyan: TR pushes inclusive growth

The Planning & Transformation Department organised a State-level Sampoornata Abhiyan Samman Samaroh for Aspirational Districts and Blocks at the Capital Convention Centre, Kohima, on August 2, a DIPR report stated.
Gracing the programme as chief guest, deputy chief minister in charge of Planning & Transformation and National Highway, T.R. Zeliang, said governance must touch every life and development must reach every village. He stated that Samapornatha Abhiyan is a call to action that puts people first and brings government to the doorstep of the underprivileged.
Zeliang said the vision of the Samapornatha Abhiyan signified completeness and total coverage, ensuring no one is left out, whether a village, household or individual. He emphasised that transformation becomes possible when the community takes ownership, attributing the progress of the Abhiyan to the collective efforts of field workers, district administrators, staff, community leaders and citizens.
He said the Aspirational Districts and Blocks Programme focuses not only on government performance but also on empowering local communities, and added that grassroots ownership is key to sustainable and lasting development.
Zeliang acknowledged the awardees for their dedication, patience and hard work, and also appreciated block and district teams and officers who worked in challenging conditions, difficult terrain, and with limited resources. He urged all departments—District Administration, Health, Education, Rural Development, Social Welfare, Agriculture & Allied—to foster a culture of collaboration.
He reminded stakeholders to move from schemes to solutions, from targets to transformation, ensuring that every village, child, woman and elderly person feels the government’s presence and promise. He concluded by urging all to work together towards building an inclusive Nagaland that leaves no one behind.
Development commissioner, Temsunaro Aier in her opening remark, termed the event a celebration of the collective journey of progress, participation and purpose. She said the Aspirational Districts Programme, launched by the Prime Minister in January 2011, aimed to support inclusive and accelerated development in the country’s most underserved regions.
Aier stated that the programme focuses on transforming underdeveloped districts by targeting key socio-economic indicators and bringing them at par with more developed ones. She said the progress made through coordination, convergence and community participation has been encouraging and motivating.
She also informed that the Aspirational Blocks Programme, introduced in January 2023, targets the most backward blocks in the country. In Nagaland, the three aspirational blocks are Kiusan (Kiphire), Akuhaito (Zunheboto) and Thonoknyu (Noklak). She noted that Kiphire district achieved 100% saturation in four out of six indicators, Thonoknyu in five indicators and Akuhaito in two.
Aier highlighted the significant improvements in socio-economic indicators through the efforts of district and block teams. She mentioned the three-month Sampoornata Abhiyan campaign launched by NITI Aayog from July to September for full saturation in key indicators. She encouraged stakeholders to extend this spirit to digital and financial inclusion, water conservation and other parameters under school education and health. She called on all to pledge towards building a complete and inclusive Nagaland for a developed India and a Viksit Nagaland for Viksit Bharat.
Short speeches on aspirational journeys were delivered by secretary of Lokayukta, Arikumba and DC Kiphire, Temsuwati Longkumer. CEO, NITI Aayog, B.V.R. Subrahmanyam and additional secretary, mission director, NITI Aayog, Rohit Kumar, delivered their messages virtually.
During the award ceremony, medals and certificates of appreciation were presented to the winners from NITI Aayog. Advisor for Home Guard & Civil Defence, Fire and Relief & Rehabilitation, S. Kiusumew Yimchunger, a host of AHoDs and HoDs, DCs and government officials attended the programme.