Tsirang, a rural community striving for a prosperous future, is experiencing a wave of positive change through the groundbreaking “Mawong Yuetshen” project. This innovative initiative, dedicated to rural development and community engagement, has fostered collaboration among civil servants, local leaders, and villagers, empowering them to transform their respective gewogs. The initiative, structured as a competition of ideas, has attracted over 70 participants and featured approximately 30 diverse activities during its pilot phase.
One noteworthy entry in the competition came from the Batasay farmers in Tsirang. Their successful endeavor involved establishing a connection between the sacred site of Dophu Ney, situated above their village, and a safe drinking water source. Furthermore, they constructed essential amenities such as a kitchen and a toilet, greatly enhancing the facilities at the site.
The exceptional efforts of the Batasay farmers earned them the title of winners among the seven competing groups, along with a cash prize of Nu 120,000. With this financial boost, the group aims to further enhance the site’s appeal, targeting both domestic and international visitors.
Aga Nidhi Archarya, a member of the Batasay Youth Group, expressed, “Previously, the Dophu Ney lacked a reliable water supply for both drinking and making water offerings. The absence of a toilet also inconvenienced devotees visiting the site. So our youth group focused on connecting a drinking water supply and constructing a toilet for the pilgrim site.”
Similarly, the Aesthetic Rangthangling group, led by local leaders of Rangthangling Gewog, crafted a beautiful rock garden, providing a serene space for rest and leisure. Their project secured the second position in the competition, earning them a prize of Nu 70,000.
Leela Raj Sunwar, the Rangthangling Gup, shared his delight, saying, “Since we transformed the waste collection area into a resting place, people are happy and we see them coming here and enjoying themselves. Moreover, it has become a popular spot for youths to shoot TikTok videos.”
The “Mawong Yuethsen” initiative was launched in September of last year and organized by the Project for Rural Development (PRuDent) in collaboration with RENEW Microfinance. Drawing inspiration from the successful “Our Village Has a Future” concept originating in Germany in 1961, this initiative aims to demonstrate that when villagers unite, they can accomplish remarkable feats for their communities, even without substantial financial resources. The cash prizes awarded to the winners will be reinvested into the projects, while some participants have already utilized their own funds during the initial stages.
Under this initiative, participants are required to register their ideas, and they are given a six-month timeframe to bring their proposals to life. Subsequently, the entries are evaluated and assessed.
The project has plans to extend similar rural development initiatives to the Chhukha and Haa districts, further propelling positive change and community engagement in those areas.
