Implementing Agency: Centre for Rural Empowerment & Development organization (CREDO)

Implementing Site (District & State): Thoubal, Manipur

Objectives:

• The basic objective of the Community Radio broadcasting would be to serve the cause of the community in the service area of the Permission Holder by involving members of the community in the broadcast of their program.
• Community radio is not-for profit and provides a mechanism for facilitating individuals, groups, and communities to tell their own diverse stories, to share experiences, and in a media rich world to become active creators and contributors of media.
• Community Radio intervention is to address social issues (such as poverty and social exclusion) at the community level, empower marginalized rural groups and catalyse democratic processes and ongoing development efforts.
• The urge to do community radio fulfils the basic desire for communication and self-expression and is on the forefront of today's democracy movements.
• CRS of this location will be used to improve awareness and knowledge of solutions to community development problems within various sectors including Modern agricultural practices, culture, rural development, education, hygiene and sanitation and local governance among rural people living in the Shikhong Sekmai Village under Thoubal districts in particular.
• Social Cohesion: Programs designed on topical issues have further endeared to the people. The station engages experts/resource persons as guests on these programs and they (resource persons) are able to explain and make clear issues in their areas of expertise.
• Its role includes poverty eradication, illiteracy eradication and employment. Community radio is the common link which binds all these development factors over a common communication channel. In the years to come, it will prove to be a vital tool that Governments will use for social upliftment.

Deliverables/Outcomes/Success Stories: 

• Community radio as distinct from commercial and public service broadcasting, serves to bring local level small communities together, focuses on general public’s day-to-day concerns and helps in realizing local demands and aspirations. 
• Enlightening and rising the communities around development initiatives and strategies that will result in a better life for listeners (agriculture, education, health and gender issues, disaster and environmental degradation, issues of local government, peace keeping etc.) 
• As community radio prepares and broadcasts programs for the rural particular community, so it can also be specified to a target population. 
•  Community radio broadcasts programs that cater to vulnerable and marginalized groups in the community and encourage them to share their ideas and views on air.
• The programs of community radio encourage wide diversity of thoughts and views from different marginalized groups, such as women and youth or minority community. 
•  Sustainable development and positive social change of minority groups can be facilitated by community radio. It is community radio which can convey the sufferings and sorrows, difficulties, and limitations of a community to the policy making authority. 
• Promote Development and Social Change including the special slant on News, Entertainment and Education and Services for Oppressed Women and Unemployed Youth.

Success Story: WAHONG Radio Station|90.00 MHz, nestled in the heart of Shikhong Bazar, Nongpok Sekmai, Dist. Thoubal, Manipur stands as a beacon of community spirit and resilience. Despite its modest beginnings, the station has flourished into a vital hub for agriculture experts, local news, cultural exchange, and grassroots activism. One remarkable aspect of WAHONG Radio's success is the unwavering support it receives from villagers and listeners. Moved by the station's dedication to amplifying their voices and preserving the heritage, villagers frequently flock to Radio station, not just as listeners, but as active contributors. They donate generously, both morally and in kind, recognizing the station's pivotal role in fostering unity and empowerment within the community. This outpouring of support has enabled the Radio station to expand its reach, upgrade its information and diversify its programming, ensuring that it remains a dynamic force for positive change in the state Manipur. Through the collective efforts of villagers and station staff alike, WAHONG Radio continues to thrive as a testament to the power of community-driven media.

Direct/ Indirect beneficiaries

Implementing Agency: Bethany Society, Shillong

Implementing Site (District & State): East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya

Objectives: 

• Providing professional training courses for securing employability skill sets, to gain employment in IT and other prime departments.
• Skill Set Training focusing on different job Modules.
• Hands-on experience in specific job profiles based on trainees’ skill set “BE THE CHANGE! ENGAGE WITH TECHNOLOGY AND GAIN COMPETENCY!”

Deliverables/Outcomes/Success Stories:

• Before embarking on this course, each of the trainees faced numerous challenges, recounting instances of societal exclusion due to their visual impairment.
• However, they have now taken the crucial step to make a difference and integrate themselves into society. Their journey, encapsulated by the phrase "Abhimaan - I am able," was shared with the audience during the event.
• Throughout their training the trainees have undergone the orientation and intensive training as part of the Foundation Course in Computers and Employability. Their remarkable journey reflects their unwavering commitment and determination.
• They now possess proficiency in fundamental computer operations and have become adept at using Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• The utilization of screen reading software, namely JAWS and NVDA, has empowered them to independently navigate digital interfaces. Their language skills, both spoken and written, have witnessed notable improvements, enhancing their ability to engage in effective communication.
• Additionally, life skills training has equipped them with essential competencies for personal and professional success.
• In practical settings, trainees embark on field visits to institutions like public parks, markets, banks and shopping malls, gaining practical insights into the application of computer skills in different environments.
• Work shadowing interaction with government officials, companies and NGOs had gained experiences, dynamics and tasks, further building their confidence. Their journey has been marked by resilience, determination, and notable progress.
• They stand ready to enter the workforce with enhanced skills and confidence, showcasing their ability to overcome unique challenges and succeed in a variety of roles.
• Bethany Society and the Enable India team are proud to support and empower these individuals, working towards a more inclusive future.

Total people Trained: 

15 visually impaired trainees (10 Male and 5 Female belonging to ST) successfully completed the course with a bit of brush up of the 4 trainees who joined the course at the latter state.

Implementing Agency: Pynursla Presbyterian Secondary School, Pynursla 

Implementing Site (District & State): Pynursla, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya 

Objectives:

The Project “Language cum Multimedia Lab” aims at enhancing education through interactive whiteboards, digital content and online collaboration tools, innovative communication software which may promote dynamic teaching methods, real-time feedback, and personalized learning experiences, fostering student engagement and comprehension. 

  This lab is equipped with modern computing machines, power backup with internet facilities.  

Deliverables

• This innovative project has been implemented successfully aiming at bridging the gap between the students in rural areas and availability of modern technologies. 
• This Lab was inaugurated by Sh. Prestone Tynsong, Deputy Chief Minister, Meghalaya in presence of officials from NECTAR. 
• School has started incorporating course part of this lab into its curriculum
   

Direct/Indirect Beneficiaries:  

Around 110 students from the school will benefit from this lab. Further this lab will also be used to train the youth. 

Implementing Agency: NECTAR

Implementing Site (District & State): East Khasi Hills, Mawkynrew, Meghalaya

Objectives: 

• Community radio is a short-range, not-for-profit radio station or channel that caters for the information needs of people living in a particular locality, in the languages and formats that are most adapted to the local context.
• Community Radio is intended to bring about social and economic development. 
• The focus is to highlight relevant social issues, sharing the latest information with the community, providing a platform to the community to express their opinions and problems and to provide a platform to explore their own creative potentials. 
• There are varieties of programs that can be developed and aired on Community Radio addressing some of the following aspects like providing access to information to villagers, creating radio enabled literacy programs, providing a platform to students and the community at large to exploit the potential of this creative media, social development of the area by focusing on relevant social issues, creating programs on Health Care, Counselling, Vocational Training

Deliverables/Outcomes/Success Stories:

• NECTAR has launched a Community Radio Station (CRS) named as “Mawkynrew 89.60 FM Community Radio” at Jongksha village, Mawkynrew Block, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya.
• The CRS will help in promoting Agriculture, Rural Livelihood & Community Development benefiting more than 100 isolated villages with a population of approximately 35,000 people.
• It is the first Community Radio Station in Meghalaya. The proposed programs are focused on issues related to education, health, environment, agriculture, local folk, art, culture, traditional knowledge, rural and community development.
• It will also encourage the voice of the disadvantaged group by broadcasting programs related to problems and limitations, issues etc, promote the cultural perspectives and interests of the minority groups and also popularize the tradition of Indigenous rural peoples with improved social participation and improved education and knowledge of self-employment.

Direct/Indirect Beneficiaries

Direct : 2 Men, 1 Women (ST)

Implementing Agency: NECTAR

Implementing Site (District & State): East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya

Objectives: 

1. A ‘STEM Education Lab’- The STEM Lab developed in NECTAR Headquarters, Shillong in collaboration with the Smart Village Movement (SVM), Meghalaya, Curiosity Gym, Mumbai and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune marks a transformative step towards advancing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in Meghalaya.
2. The project aims to expand outreach to schools and colleges and students in the Shillong area through the NECTAR STEM facility.
3. Establish a self-sustainable model by implementing minimal fees for students, youth or teacher participants - so that on an ongoing basis it can cover salaries, maintenance, and consumable costs, and ensuring long-term viability.
4. Create an engaging and visually appealing lab environment to stimulate students’ curiosity and maintain high retention rates.
5. Empowering teachers with STEM skills and curriculum to implement in their classroom.
6. Creating STEM education awareness and engagement through school management and administration.
7. Develop exclusive high-tech courses and program offerings featuring advanced technologies such as drones, robotic industrial arms, and virtual reality experiences, diversifying learning opportunities and enhancing the hub's appeal.

Deliverables/Outcomes/Success Stories:

• The STEM Lab aims to create a holistic environment to empower students from around 100 schools in Shillong with STEM components like Electronics, Robotics, 3D printing, etc. The outcomes for this initiative would be to enhance the experiential learning for both teachers and students with access to state-of-the-art equipment, modules and training to be provided round the year.

The Lab was officially inaugurated by Shri. D.P. Wahlang, Chief Secretary, Government of Meghalaya; Dr. M. Mohanty, Head AI division, DST; Dr Arun Kumar Sarma, Director General NECTAR; Shri Swapnil Tembe, IAS, Secretary, Education Department, & Director, School Education & Literacy, Government of Meghalaya; Shri Mangsatabam Iboyaima Meitei, Adviser (Horticulture), North Eastern Council Secretariat, Shillong; Shri Shaphrang Sawkmie, Asst. Research Officer, Officer In charge, State Council of Science Technology & Environment, Meghalaya along with other officials and experts from NECTAR and Smart Village Movement, Meghalaya.

Fig: Inauguration of STEM Lab in NECTAR

Implementing Agency: Rodeka Innovations, a unit of RBL Enterprise, Shillong

Implementing Site (District & State): East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya

Objectives: 

• To create a proof of concept (PoC) for an e-tourism portal that digitizes and promotes unique local experiences provided by small businesses in a selected tourist circuit in Meghalaya.
• The portal will offer tourists detailed profiles of these experiences, enabling a richer and more immersive visit. 

1. Scope:
   1. Supply-Side Digitization: 
      • Identify and profile existing and greenfield businesses offering unique experiences.
      • Create digital profiles for each business, including descriptions, images and customer reviews. 
   2. Demand-Side Exposure: 
   3. Develop a hyper-local information system to promote these experiences to tourists. 
   4. Allow tourists to register and access exclusive services and information when visiting specific sites. 
   5. Features: 
   6. Business Profiles: 
      • Detailed profiles with descriptions, images and reviews section.
      • Businesses include all those that directly and indirectly influence the value chain that influences the traveler experience 
   7. Tourist Registration: 
      • Tourists can register on the portal to access exclusive content and services.
      • Registration can include preferences to tailor recommendations. 
   8. Interactive Map: 
      • An interactive map highlighting the locations of the businesses.
      • Directions and travel tips to reach each business. 
   9. Personalized Itineraries: 
      • Customizable itineraries based on tourist interests. 
      • Integration with local events and activities. 
   10. Multilingual Support: 
       • Support for multiple languages to cater to diverse tourist demographics (English, Hindi, Gujarati/Bengali/Assamese).

Deliverables/Outcomes/Success Stories:

• E-Tourism Portal:
  • Fully functional web portal.
  • Business profiles with multimedia content.
  • Interactive map and personalized itinerary feature.
• User Guide:
  • Documentation for tourists on how to use the portal.
  • Translation into 2-3 languages.
  • Training materials for local businesses on managing their profiles.
• The proposed portal will feature comprehensive information on:
  • Transportation: A robust categorization of cab and taxi services, coupled with value-added offerings.
  • Accommodation: A dynamic marketplace for last-minute bookings and unique stay experiences.
  • Food and Beverage: A curated selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, catering to diverse tastes.
  • Experiences: A platform for showcasing local traditions, adventure activities, and unique encounters.

Shopping: A marketplace for local designers, artisans, and apparel.

Implementing Agency: NECTAR

Implementing Site (District & State): Kamrup Metro, Assam

Objectives: 

• Skill Pill is an online learning portal designed to equip college students, young professionals, and MSME business owners with practical, industry-ready skills. The platform brings together recorded lessons, live batches, assignments, and quizzes—all accessible through a streamlined web-based learning portal.
• One of the key highlights of Skill Pill is the way it blends live instruction with pre-recorded content, making learning flexible yet interactive. Courses are carefully structured with real-world use cases, and learners can track their progress through dashboards, take quizzes, and even revisit course material as needed.
• To make learning more inclusive, Skill Pill also offers selected courses in Assamese, in addition to English. This step has been taken with a clear intent to reach a wider audience, especially in rural and semi-urban areas of Assam and the Northeast, where language can often be a barrier to digital learning.

Overall, the platform isn’t just about offering courses—it’s about creating a practical learning experience that meets the needs of today’s learners and tomorrow’s workforce.

Deliverables/Outcomes/Success Stories:

• Skill Pill’s learning portal directly contributes to several key areas of national interest and regional development:

1. Digital Education & E-learning

Skill Pill is part of the broader movement to make education more accessible, practical, and aligned with the demands of today’s industries. Through its online platform, learners can access structured courses—both live and recorded—on topics like Digital Marketing, Social Media Strategy, Google Ads, SEO, and even Web Development. The format encourages self-paced learning while also offering guided instruction through live batches. This mix of content delivery formats reflects how digital education is evolving for real-world applications.

2. Skill Development & Entrepreneurship

The platform was built with a clear goal—to help bridge the gap between formal education and employable skills. Courses are hands-on, focused on practical outcomes, and taught by experienced professionals from the industry. As part of its Pilot Outreach Activities, Skill Pill conducted targeted sessions for early-stage startups and small-scale dairy farmers on how to use branding, digital marketing, and social media effectively. These initiatives show how even traditional sectors can benefit from digital skill development.

3. MSME Support & Digital Transformation

Small and medium-sized businesses often struggle with taking their businesses online or making the most of digital tools. Skill Pill addresses this head-on through courses designed especially for business owners, teaching them how to grow visibility using tools like Google My Business, social media ads, and email marketing. These are practical skills that can drive growth and customer engagement at the grassroots level. The pilot batch of MSME owners who tested the program found immediate value, which has helped in fine-tuning the course structure.

4. Youth Employability Enhancement

In many Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns, students pursuing degrees in BBA, MBA, or commerce don’t always get exposure to evolving career paths like digital marketing, content creation, or web design. Skill Pill fills this gap by offering courses that are current, industry-driven, and include real-life case studies. The platform’s outreach to institutions like Tezpur University during the pilot phase helped introduce students to new-age marketing roles and career possibilities that go beyond textbook learning.

This approach ensures that Skill Pill isn’t just another learning portal—it’s a focused intervention across multiple priority sectors with a tested, adaptable model for scaling impact.

Fig: Session on Brand Positioning

Implementing Agency: NIT, Meghalaya

Implementing Site (District & State): East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya

Objectives: 

The proposed smart agriculture system is targeted mainly for the soil parameter monitoring and AI modelling of Saffron (Kesar) plant in North East Region.

Deliverables/Outcomes/Success Stories:
 

• An IoT based smart agriculture monitoring system, that can measure various parameters like soil moisture, temperature, humidity, and light intensity to provide real-time information to farmers has been made.
• A user-friendly mobile application that can display real-time information about the agriculture parameters measured by the IoT sensors has been developed.
• A web-based dashboard that can provide insights and analytics about the agriculture parameters measured by the IoT sensors has been developed.
• The effectiveness of the IoT based smart agriculture monitoring system in improving crop yields and reducing water usage is being continously evaluated.