Local community comes together under MGNREGA to transform wasteland into playground

Legship playground [before]

Legship playground [after]

GANGTOK, 24 Nov [IPR]: RM&DD Minister, C B Karki along with Area MLA, MB Dahal inaugurated a community playground at Baluwakhani Legship in Gyalshing Omchung Gram Panchayat Unit, Lower Omchung Ward falling under BAC Gyalshing in West District on 24 Nov.
This was a community driven initiative with the partnership of Manav Sewa Samiti [MSS], Legship NGO (MSS).
The need for a playground had been felt for a long time, and the demand originated from the local community which was unanimously passed in the 2008 Gram Sabha. The site was a wasteland covered with boulders, but it was adjacent to the road. About Rs 11 lakh was sanctioned by the District Planning Committee in the first phase, subsequently in the second phase Rs 13 lakh was sanctioned under the national flagship program - MGNREGA.
MSS volunteered to support in the form of earth-moving machinery, rock breaker and excavator which is not permissible under MGNREGA. This ground was created to accommodate a football ground with a 30 feet high retaining wall on the valley side to extend the ground. A gallery has also been made for the audience with chain link fencing. A total of 60 households worked for the creation of this asset and generated 9200 person days of wage employment for themselves.
This very useful asset for the local community especially the youth for various cultural and sports related activities was created under the able guidance of the Gram Panchayats and Block and District level officials. The youth of Legship will find this infrastructure a gift to positively utilize their cultural and sports energy and as a medium for entertainment.
Subsequently drainage and protective works will also be taken up to complete this important community asset. This playground has been dedicated to the memory of Late Bikash Rai who passed away in a road accident while on his way to practise football near Reshi, as no such asset was locally available then. His parents, BB Rai and Saraswati Rai have contributed generously to make this dream a reality.
In his address, the area MLA – M B Dahal mentioned that earlier in Legship they did not have a football playground and this is an outstanding asset for his constituency and thanked all those who were involved in the creation of this asset.
RM&DD Minister, CB Karki remarked that transformation of this wasteland into a community playground was a remarkable achievement and encouraged the taking up of similar useful durable assets under MGNREGA. This was followed by a cultural program and kick-off of a football championship for the youth of the area.