The Administrative Training Institute (ATI), Nagaland, in collaboration with Baptist College, Kohima, conducted a field-based initiative titled “Voice from the Village: A Community Grievance, Possible Solutions and Needs Assessment Survey” in three villages: H Hotovi in Niuland district, Thekrejuma in Kohima district, and Holongba in Tuensang district as part of the Village Level Functionaries Training Programme.
The attachment of students from October 17 to 20 was to identify community grievances, assess developmental needs, and explore possible solutions. The study covered key areas such as road connectivity, healthcare, education, water supply, electricity, employment opportunities, access to government schemes, and the preservation of traditional and cultural heritage. 18 Students accompanied by 3 Faculty members were part of this village attachment program.
Dr Sentinaro, Coordinator, IQAC, Baptist College, Kohima coordinated the overall execution. The students and the accompanying Faculty stayed in the villages for 3 days and 2 nights.
The findings were presented to the Director General, ATI on October 26, with the objective of bringing grassroots concerns to the attention of the Government and informing future development planning possibilities. The program was also attented by Kaholi Sema, Joint Director, Asale Lese, Deputy Secretary, Imlibenla Jamir, Deputy Director, Dr Alem W Longchar and Dr Hovithal.
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The Director General of ATI appreciated the Baptist College, Kohima, the Faculties and the efforts put in by the students and the findings presented. He also emphasized the need to assess whether government schemes and development projects are effectively reaching their intended beneficiaries, and expressed hope for further collaborations of this nature to strengthen community participation and improve the delivery of public services. This will also benefit the students who will have a firsthand experience of the grassroots situation and they can share their knowledge and proposed solutions to the problems being faced by the villages.
The initiative reflects ATI, Nagaland’s commitment to participatory governance, community engagement, and evidence-based development through collaboration with educational institutions. The presentation by students and faculties conveyed their experience and their status of education, health, physical infrastructure like roads, water supply etc. The students shared that they benefitted from the village attachment and suggested solutions to various issues.
They also noted various traditional strengths such as water conservation methods, preservation of environment etc. ATI plans to expand these initiative to more students for village attachment in the coming programme.
