https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

37 Young Officers Devise a Unique Way to Develop Arunachal

37 officers from the 2016 batch of Arunachal Pradesh Civil Service (APCS) formed a group called ‘Project 37’ to develop their state and help the people.
Indian Masterminds Stories

In the easternmost state of India, Arunachal Pradesh, also called the Land of the Rising Sun, 37 young officers are rising above official duties to develop their home state. In a unique gesture of generosity and magnanimity, these officers from the 2016 batch of Arunachal Pradesh Civil Service (APCS) pool in their own money every second month and utilize it to undertake developmental works for the people. So, it’s not just the first rays of the morning sun that touch the Arunachali people, but the Project 37 group is also touching their lives by bringing them hope.

In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, one of the officers from the Project 37 group, Tashi Wangchhu Thongdok, who is Lower Subansiri District’s Yazali Block officer, explained the group objective in detail and outlined the projects they have undertaken so far.

PROJECT 37

Mr. Thongdok revealed that the idea came up in August 2020, when all 37 officers discussed about the need for a group initiative to touch lives. They were unanimous in their wish to give back to society and took the decision that every member would contribute Rs. 3000 every two months to a fund. They also formed a WhatsApp group, and it was decided that the officers will put forward their proposals to utilize the money in this group and the idea that receives the highest vote will be taken up and executed with the pooled money.

“Unfortunately, one of our colleagues passed away. So, Project 37 has 36 officers now. Each one of us chip in Rs. 3000 every two months which amounts to a total of Rs. 1,08,000, which is then utilized in one project. If it’s my turn, I decide what project to work on and then go for crowdfunding accordingly. At times, we also approach public leaders for additional funds for a project, but the execution of the project is done completely by us,” Mr. Thongdok told Indian Masterminds.

PROJECTS EXECUTED TILL NOW

The group has successfully executed seven projects till now. In the very first project of the initiative, the officers pooled in their money to renovate an old library in Khimiyang circle. The second time, a ring well cum water supply project for a government upper primary school was inaugurated in Pakke-Kessang district.

The amount pooled for the third project was contributed as relief assistance to the fire victims of Longliang village under Lazu circle in Tirap district. The fourth project was the refurbishment of the boys’ hostel complex of a government higher secondary school in Sille block.

Under the fifth project, a new conference hall was inaugurated at the circle office in Papum Pare district while the sixth project developed tourist spots at Jenging in Upper Siang district.

MODERN LEARNING CENTER

Under the seventh project, the group dedicated a modern learning center to a government residential school in Yazali circle. The school has around 130 students.

“I decided to provide a modern style of education to the children, complete with three sets of computer with printers, microscopes with slides, new and interesting books for the library, and 30 sets of desks and benches,” Mr. Thongdok said.

This project fund exceeded the collected amount as the total cost was Rs. 2,80,000. Hence, a few officers from the group contributed more than usual. Few local MLAs also contributed to this project.

Modern Learning Centre

Most of the students in the school did not know the basics of computers, while some saw computers for the first time in their life.

“I wanted to give them the basic computer knowledge so that they know all the components and are able to operate it. I have also donated comics like Tinkle, Chacha Chaudhary, Amar Chitra Katha etc., to the school so that the students’ understanding of language and grasping power are developed through interesting pictures and accompanied texts,” Mr. Thongdok informed.

In conclusion, the officer appeals to all privileged people in the country to give back to society in some way. Even a little contribution can go a long way in lighting up someone’s life – a life that has been existing in darkness, without basic necessities, without care, without love and, sadly, without hope.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Project PRISM MGL
Mahanagar Gas Limited Launches Project PRISM, First Salesforce Implementation in India’s City Gas Distribution Sector
coal-India-limited-scaled
Coal India Signs MoU with CMDC to Explore Critical Minerals for Clean Energy and EV Supply Chains
IPS Y
Who Was Haryana IPS Officer Y. Puran Kumar? Senior Cop Shoots Himself and Dies by Suicide in Chandigarh | What We Know So Far
HOME MINISTRY Swachhata Drive
Home Ministry Frees 79,000 Sq. Ft., Clears 630+ Govt References in Swachhata Drive for Smarter, Sustainable Workspaces
oil and mgl
Oil India and Mahanagar Gas Partner to Boost LNG in Transport and Advance Clean Energy in India
Yogi Government
Save Lives, Get Rewarded: UP’s New Scheme ‘Rahveer Yojana’ Offers Rs 25,000 for Helping Road Accident Victims
ONGC_resized
ONGC to Invest ₹8,110 Crore in Andhra Pradesh for Drilling 172 Oil and Gas Wells After Environmental Clearance
BEL Bharat Electronics Limited
BEL CVO IRSSE Officer Nilabhra Sengupta Prematurely Repatriated to Parent Cadre Before Completing One-Year Tenure
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Dr G K Goswami IPS
Everything you ever wanted to know about e-murder, e-dacoity and data safety
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IDES Saquib Alam
UPSC Strategy & Mindset Tips from IDES Officer Saquib Alam | Video Interview 
Discover how IDES officer Saquib Alam left his corporate job at Mahindra, overcame six UPSC attempts,...
Utkarsh Ujjwal IAS
IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal Shares Key Advice for UPSC Aspirants: Work Ethic, Failure, and Focus
Read the inspiring journey of IAS Utkarsh Ujjwal, 2023 batch, Gujarat cadre. From IIT Guwahati to clearing...
Sagar Datta Majumdar UPSC CSE 2024 AIR 317
“Don’t get trapped in the vicious cycle of self-doubt,” says UPSC Achiever Sagar Datta Majumdar
Discover how Sagar Datta Majumdar from Agartala, Tripura, cracked UPSC CSE 2024 with All India Rank 317....
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Project PRISM MGL
Mahanagar Gas Limited Launches Project PRISM, First Salesforce Implementation in India’s City Gas Distribution Sector
coal-India-limited-scaled
Coal India Signs MoU with CMDC to Explore Critical Minerals for Clean Energy and EV Supply Chains
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IDES Saquib Alam
Dr G K Goswami IPS
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT