Vawiina lo pung khawmte leh Lunglei District mipui zawng zawngte,Republic Day vawi 76-na chibai ka buk che u a. Kum thar duhsakna sang ber ka hlan bawk a che u.

Today, we gather here to celebrate the 76th Republic Day of our beloved nation, India. This day marks the adoption of our Constitution in 1950, a momentous occasion that bestowed upon us the fundamental rights and duties that shape our democracy. It is a day that signifies the triumph of justice, equality, and sovereignty of the people. It is a day for us to reflect on our shared journey, honor the sacrifices made for our freedom, and renew our commitment to building a stronger and more inclusive India.

Mizoram, like many parts of our country, has a unique cultural heritage that emphasizes the importance of community, mutual respect, and a strong sense of belonging. These values find a deep connection with the ideals outlined in our Constitution. Whether it is the democratic participation of the people in local governance or the sense of togetherness that defines the Mizo society, we continue to uphold the spirit of unity and equality that our Constitution envisions.

On this auspicious occasion, I would like to highlight some of the achievements of the District during the past one year.

As the health of the population directly impacts productivity and overall quality of life in the district, the Health & Family Welfare Department and the District Administration worked in collaboration for the overall improvement of health in the district. Several health programs focusing on the diagnosis of health problems, disease prevention and control, promoting healthy lifestyles, immunization drives, and awareness activities have been actively carried out.

Under the Healthy Lunglei District Campaign, launched in June 2024, screening and awareness programs on non-communicable diseases have been conducted across multiple areas. Additionally, Civil Hospital Lunglei has successfully implemented NextGen eHospital w.e.f. 3rd December 2024, facilitating easy access to various healthcare services online. In terms of infrastructure, the construction of a double-storied Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Lungsen, amounting to Rs 267.15 lakh, and the construction of a Laboratory Building at Civil Hospital, Lunglei (supplementary works), amounting to Rs 396.00 lakh, have been completed and are under the handover process.

Connected to healthcare, sanitation plays a vital role in maintaining and improving public health by preventing the spread of diseases, enhancing the quality of life, and ensuring the overall well-being of individuals and communities. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), significant efforts have been made in the district, including the construction of 300 individual household latrines in 2024. Lunglei District has been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) in 2019, and efforts are ongoing to achieve ODF Plus status.

The Lunglei Solid Waste Management Centre is a major initiative to enhance waste management infrastructure in the district. Phase-I is being constructed at a cost of Rs 600 lakh, with 95% of the work completed, and Phase-II construction is underway with a project cost of Rs 698 lakh. In addition, under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the provision of drinking water was successfully completed for 73 villages in the year 2024, significantly improving access to safe and reliable drinking water.

Education plays a vital role in the development of individuals, communities, and societies as a whole. The district administration, in collaboration with the concerned departments, is actively working to enhance the quality of education in the district. Efforts have been made to go beyond mainstream subjects by introducing vocational training and co-curricular activities to promote the all-round development of students.

A Drugs-Free Campaign was conducted in schools and colleges, with over 1,800 students pledging to stay away from drugs. To address the issue of heavy school bags, remedial measures have been implemented and communicated to all schools, with surprise checks conducted to ensure compliance. Additionally, refresher workshops for teachers have been organized under the Education Reform Campaign to enhance teaching methodologies and professional growth.

Under Samagra Shiksha, the strengthening of the existing school building of Govt. Higher Secondary School, Lunglei, the repair of the dilapidated school building of Mautlang P/S, and the construction of vocational education classrooms at Govt. H/S Tlabung and Govt. H/S Leitlangpui have been completed. Additionally, 21 major repairs, 182 minor repairs, 60 toilet constructions, and 1 drinking water facility have also been completed across the district.

And recently, Lunglei Government College has achieved NAAC Accreditation for the 3rd Cycle with a B+ Grade, which is valid for the next five years.

The government places significant emphasis on the development of women and children as well. To improve child and maternal nutrition in the district, 12 nutrition items are being provided to 12,397 beneficiaries through Anganwadi Centres across Lunglei District.

Under the National Creche Scheme, 19 Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) have been upgraded to Anganwadi-cum-Creche Centres, while 64 AWCs are being upgraded under the Saksham Anganwadi initiative to enhance their functionality and infrastructure.

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is actively implemented in the district, excluding the Lunglei Municipal area. Currently, the district has 32,919 active Job Card holders. 

During the 2024-25 financial year, an average of 91 days of employment per household has been provided, with several works undertaken under the material component of the scheme. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and Awaas Plus Scheme, construction of 4,560 houses has been successfully completed.

Agriculture is the lifeline of the economy in the district. The government takes essential steps to improve the agricultural system, enhanceproductivity, and support farmers' livelihoods by providing financial support and subsidies, developing necessary infrastructure, and offering training through various schemes implemented by line departments. Under PMKSY (WDC) 2.0, various works related to horticulture, agriculture, afforestation, soil and moisture conservation, and the construction of irrigation and water harvesting structures have been undertaken. Recently, in December 2024, 42 piglets were distributed in W. Bunghmun and Sesawm villages, along with Rs 7,800/- worth of materials for each beneficiary to construct pigsties under the UN Funded Green Agriculture Project. The Piggery Investment Plan will benefit 462 households across 22 villages. 

Additionally, 125 farmers, who were victims of Cyclone Remal and hailstorm in 2024, received financial relief from the Response and Relief component of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), totaling Rs 6.70 lakh. 25% of the value of culled pigs due to ASF claimed by farmers for the year 2022 was released to them in October 2024.

In addition to Agriculture, Horticulture Department is spearheading the flagship scheme of ODOP (One District One Product). Banana fruit is the ODOP Product of Lunglei District. Last year, Banana Ripening Chamber of Capacity 20MT was established at Mausen with a weekly average production of 12 qtl. ripe bananas. In the coming months, we hope to promote cluster-based for upliftment of banana farmers and entrepreneurs.

To address unemployment and generate employment opportunities for citizens, the government has launched various schemes and conducted skill development trainings and self-employment programs. Loans under schemes such as PMEGP, MSME, MUDRA, and Stand Up India have been sanctioned to eligible applicants to support entrepreneurial initiatives.

Under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) scheme, training programs have been conducted in trades like baking, technician, tailoring, beauty & wellness, etc., equipping participants with practical skills for employment.

Since 2013, the Mizoram State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MzSRLM) has facilitated the formation of 1,040 active Self-Help Groups (SHGs), comprising 7,657 SHG members in Lunglei District. Additionally, Self-Help Groups have been established under DAY-NULM and NABARD, further empowering individuals, particularly women, to engage in incomegenerating activities and contribute to the district's economic growth.

The maintenance of law and order, as well as the safety and security of the people, remains a matter of paramount importance. In this regard, with the strong cooperation of the public and the active support of NGOs, the Lunglei District Police successfully maintained peace and order throughout the district, ensuring a peaceful festive season last year.

The Hrangchalkawn Police Outpost, which had been dismantled due to the widening of NH-54 in February 2022, was re-opened by renting a private building on 17th October 2024. Furthermore, the presence of the 2nd Bn MAP, Excise and Narcotics, Assam Rifles, and BSF continues to play a vital role in ensuring security, combating crimes, and addressing social evils in the district.

Among the various infrastructure development projects underway in the district, the improvement of source and extension of the distribution system for the Greater Lunglei Water Supply Scheme, amounting to Rs 997.78 lakh, was sanctioned under AMRUT 2.0 in the year 2023-24. As of now, the physical progress of the project stands at 82%, with Rs 154.96 lakh expended.

The Control & Relay Panel installed at the 33kV Sub-Station, Lunglei, was successfully commissioned on 18th December 2024. Under the NABARD scheme, two Rural Haats have been constructed at Mualthuam North and Buarpui villages with grant assistance of Rs 17.88 lakh. Additionally, one Rural Mart, namely Jerusalem Market, has been constructed at Mualthuam North with financial assistance of Rs 1.38 lakh.

I would also take this occasion to mention about the status of construction of NH 302 between Lunglei and Tlabung. Through the tireless efforts put in by the District Administration, the physical progress of the road construction has come up to 50% covering most of the  critical areas. We are hoping to speed up majority of the construction during this dry season in collaboration with NHIDCL.

Drugs are a menace to society, and it is imperative that we collectively fight against this threat. The Drug-Free India Campaign, implemented under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, has been instrumental in raising awareness and combating drug abuse. Various activities, including awareness campaigns, free medical check-ups, counseling sessions, and training programs, have been conducted to educate the public and provide support to those affected by drugs.

In our ongoing fight against the drug menace, the seizures made last year approximated Rs 246.8 lakh in value. However, the battle is far from over.The government, NGOs, churches, and civil society must continue to collaborate and strengthen efforts in the fight against drugs. 

We are proud to announce that Lungsen RD Block, Lunglei District, has achieved the 1st position in the NITI Aayog’s Aspirational Block

Programme Delta ranking for Zone 1 (Hilly, North East, and Islands) as of March 2024. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. As a result of this achievement, Lungsen RD Block will receive an award of Rs 1.5 crore, which will be utilized to develop the block in selected sectors.

District Administration Lunglei’s "I Kawtkaiah Sawrkar" initiative was very recently launched on 14th January 2025 at Haulawng to bring essential government services to the villagers. In the coming weeks, we are hopefulthat it is able to expand to every village in Lunglei. This program will ensure that government services and schemes are accessible at the doorstep of every citizen, contributing to the overall development of the district.

In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the NGOs, churches, media, and the general public for their unwavering cooperation with the District Administration and other government departments in the development of the district. I also extend my compliments to the parade contingents, the students, prize winners, and all the officers, officials and individuals who have gathered here today. With your wholehearted cooperation, I am confident that our district will continue to reach greater heights in the years to come.

Vawiinah hian, kan ram inpumkhatna leh ropuina vawng nung zel tur te, Lunglei District hmasawnna leh District mipuite hamthat nana thawk zel tur te’n i inhlan thar theuh ang u.

KA LAWM E.

THANK YOU ALL.

JAI HIND!