44 Assam Rifles inaugrated Janbagidari road (Photo Credit: news nation)
India:
Roads are of vital importance in order to make a nation grow and develop. They make crucial contribution to socio - political - economic development, growth, prosperity and bring important social benefits to an area. It provides access to social, health and education services & employment opportunities. For these reasons, road infrastructure is the most important of all public assets. To keep existing and future roads in optimum condition requires a consistent and regular maintenance program.
Azuiram village is located in Tousem Sub-division of Tamenglong district, Manipur. It is located approx 24 kms away from district HQ, Tamenglong & connected by a single road. It is through this road only that approx another 13 villages in the hinterland are connected to Tamenglong town. The villagers are presently dependent on this vital road for accessibility to health and better market facilities in the nearby town. The villagers were facing acute hardship due to depleted condition of this road since long time. 44 Assam Rifles under the aegis of 22 Sector AR/ IGAR (East) took the initiative and started repairing the link road.
To mitigate the problems of villagers, immediately a meeting was held at Battalion HQ Tamenglong, wherein a road map was prepared to repair the Azuiram - Barak - Tamenglong road within existing resources of the unit & it was pledged that the repaired road shall be dedicated to the local populace of far flung villages as a New Year gift. The plan was shared with the village authority of the Azuiram & Namtiram village, who willingly agreed to contribute constructively towards repair of this vital road. On 03 Dec 21, the repair wk on this rd was started with full enthusiasm. Without losing vision of its CI task, the unit employed adequate manpower & machinery for this noble cause. The news of repair of their lifeline which otherwise had potholes, water logging & collapsed drainage system came as a new ray of hope for the villagers & soon the news got spread in the neighbouring villages too.
Taking motivation from the initiative of 44 Assam Rifles, the locals especially youth from Azuiram & Namtiram villages also pledged to toil in the sunlight. Mr Micah Panmei, Member ADC Tamenglong also contributed towards repair of this vital road. It was a dream to achieve self reliance and contribute something constructive to the society which motivated the youth to share the load alongwith the jawans. The zeal of giving better future to the next generation kept them motivated to pursue their dreams. Working against all odds, it took 40 days to complete the repair work of 12 km stretch of this road. The repair work got completed on 11 Jan 21. The repaired road has come as a New Year gift for the villagers as now they will have access to better education, health, employment, govt developmental schemes & markets for self reliance opportunities.
On 11 Jan 2022, DIG, 22 Sector AR in presence of huge crowd from nearby villages inaugurated and dedicated the repaired road to the locals of the area. Speaking on the occasion he asserted people to be self reliant and contribute constructively in the nation development. He stressed upon the importance of roads as a gateway to development and prosperity. He also sought cooperation from the villagers so that the AR and civil population can move synchronously towards development of the society. He also urged the locals to extend help to security forces in conduct of free & fair upcoming Legislative Assembly Elections in the area. He felicitated the youth of these two villages for the grit, will power & energy they have reflected in achieving self reliance through Jan Bhaghidari. Its true reflection of Atam Nirbhar Bharat while celebrating the Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav. The story of achieving the dreams of better and improved road connectivity is incomplete without the narrative of locals together joining hands with AR in achieving this rare feat. The energy of the youth if channelised properly can rewrite the self reliance and self sustainable dream of a society. This is Naya Bharat where you yourself plan, execute and contribute towards development and nation building.
