Shillong, July 14: The Meghalaya Regional Office of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) celebrated its 45th Foundation Day with the participation of stakeholders, beneficiaries, partner institutions and officials. The programme was organised under the theme, “Empowering Women Farmers: Cultivating Resilience, Prosperity and Sustainable Rural Development.”
The celebration highlighted NABARD’s contribution as the country’s apex development financial institution for agriculture and rural development. Over the past four-and-a-half decades, the institution has supported sustainable and inclusive growth through credit assistance, developmental interventions, institutional strengthening and innovation. NABARD has also played a major role in improving rural livelihoods, developing infrastructure, promoting financial inclusion and empowering communities across the country.
The programme began with a welcome address by NABARD Meghalaya Regional Office General Manager and Officer-in-Charge J.R. Blah, who highlighted the institution’s continued commitment to rural prosperity and inclusive development. A ceremonial cake-cutting was also held to commemorate NABARD’s 45 years of contribution to agriculture and rural development in India.
As part of the celebration, a booklet highlighting NABARD’s major initiatives, achievements and developmental interventions in Meghalaya was released. The publication documents best practices, successful models and impactful stories from the rural development sector.
Reserve Bank of India, Shillong, General Manager and Officer-in-Charge Olden Nongpluh and Meghalaya Rural Bank Chairman Ashish Yadav addressed the gathering and appreciated NABARD’s role in promoting inclusive and sustainable rural development and strengthening the rural credit ecosystem in Meghalaya.
The programme also featured the entrepreneurial success story of Krostina Kharkongor, a beneficiary of NABARD’s pilot Graduated Rural Income Generation Programme. Kharkongor shared her journey as a rural entrepreneur and highlighted the impact of NABARD’s livelihood and enterprise development initiatives. Her story assumed special significance in the context of the International Year of the Woman Farmer and reflected the resilience, determination and achievements of women entrepreneurs in rural Meghalaya.
The Foundation Day celebration reaffirmed NABARD’s commitment to empowering rural communities, promoting sustainable livelihoods and advancing inclusive development in Meghalaya and across the country.
