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
Concor and gail MoU
CONCOR and GAIL Sign MoU to Promote Clean Fuel and Green Logistics
Tiger
Gurugram Jungle Safari Project Scaled Down to 2,500–3,000 Acres Amid Environmental Concerns
Concor
CONCOR to Consider Final Dividend for FY2025 in Upcoming Board Meeting
Birdev Siddapa Dhone
From Herding Livestock to UPSC Glory: Kolhapur's Birdev Siddapa Dhone Secures AIR 551
THDC
THDC Leads Innovation with Variable Speed Technology in India’s First 1000 MW Tehri Pumped Storage Project
Ministry of Coal (resized)
Ministry of Coal Unveils New Incentives to Supercharge Underground Mining in India
BPCL Pm Modi
PM Modi Lays Foundation Stone for ₹340 Cr BPCL LPG Bottling Plant in Bihar
Powergrid (resized)
Power Grid Corporation & Nepal Electricity Authority Join Forces to Boost Cross-Border Power Connectivity
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Aditya Vikram Agarwal
The Shouts of Joy Were Real: Aditya’s UPSC Rank 9 Was a Family Celebration
Dr Lokesh M IAS
E-Rickshaw Chaos, Waterlogging, Traffic Mess — Can Noida Fix Its Daily Chaos? | Exclusive with Dr Lokesh M, IAS
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
IRS Padmapani Bora’s 16-Year-Long Journey in Governance
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Aditya Vikram Agarwal
The Shouts of Joy Were Real: Aditya’s UPSC Rank 9 Was a Family Celebration
“UPSC is not the only path. If you are in any field… UPSC is not the only way to serve the nation. Be...
Raj Krishna Jha UPSC
Managing Study with a Full-Time Job, 4 Failures, & a Dream: UPSC Topper Raj Krishna Jha's Journey | Exclusive
From repeated failures to AIR 8, Raj Krishna Jha’s UPSC success proves that perseverance and strategic...
Utkarsh Yadav UPSC Rajasthan
Brother of Dausa DM Cracks UPSC with AIR 32: Utkarsh Yadav’s Inspiring Journey from Hamindpur to IAS
Utkarsh Yadav, an IIT Roorkee graduate from rural Rajasthan, secured AIR 32 in UPSC 2024 after three...
Social Media
GozJlgrXYAAHoKv
Murals for Cleanliness: Thoothukudi District Launches Art-Inspired Sanitation Drive in Panchayats
Local artists add colour and messages to village walls, promoting hygiene and community pride
Himanshu Nagpal IAS
Varanasi's Beggar Rehabilitation Initiative Recognised by UIDAI, CDO Himanshu Nagpal Shares the News
Mr. Himanshu Nagpal is a 2019-batch IAS officer
IAS Vaishali Chopra
Young IAS Vaishali Chopra Takes a Stand Against Caste Bias During Field Training in Uttar Pradesh
While the issue itself may seem small, the post is resonating widely online for its honest reflection...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Concor and gail MoU
CONCOR and GAIL Sign MoU to Promote Clean Fuel and Green Logistics
Tiger
Gurugram Jungle Safari Project Scaled Down to 2,500–3,000 Acres Amid Environmental Concerns
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Aditya Vikram Agarwal
Dr Lokesh M IAS
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT