Folk media campaign against substance abuse

GANGTOK, 24 Sept: Tumin-based NGO, Navajyoti Sangh Namrang in East Sikkim organized a Mobile IEC Folk Media campaign on HIV/AIDS. A press release informs that the campaign covered 35 locations.
It is informed that the programme was sponsored by Sikkim State AIDS Control Society and was held from 12 to 23 September and covered 35 different locations in East Sikkim. During the programme along with folk songs the organization also staged street plays on HIV/AIDS written and directed by Rohit Raj Luitel.
The campaign is an initiative of SSACS to educate the population on HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and other related issues.

Training to build NGO efficacy gets underway

AMEET OBEROI 
GANGTOK, 13 Mar: A 5-day training on ‘Enhancing Efficacy of NGO’s through CBWE’ organised by the Central Board for Workers Education [CBWE] for the North East Region, Non Government Organizations’ started on 12 March and will continue till 16 March at the conference hall of the Central Public Works Department, situated at Baluwakhani, Gangtok.
The inaugural session of the training session had Principal, Tadong Government College Dr. MP Kharel as the chief guest along with PT Sherpa [ex- regional manager State Bank of India also the resource person] and Dr. Shanti Chettri [coordinator, Sikkim Panchayat, Mahila avam Yuva Abhiyan, Department of RMDD].
Chief guest Dr. Kharel addressing the participants of different NGO’s of NE region stated that Government alone cannot serve the peoples’ need and what the government provides or initiates is also not enough considering the holistic development of the society until and unless peoples’ participation is not met.
NGO’s currently are very close to the grass root people and are also catering employment for the unemployed in various ways and means and in some cases NGOs’ have also turned out to be competitors to the government in various issues, added Dr. Kharel.  He went on to add that ‘acquiring knowledge is not only enough until the knowledge gained is utilized properly for the upliftment and betterment of the down trodden’.
Dr. Kharel requested the representatives of different NGOS’ present to serve the commune selflessly. He mentioned that, everybody holds potential but the said potential must be used for the upliftment of the poor and needy, only then the true potential of oneself is recognized and valued. Likewise, he expressed hope that the training initiated would be enlightening and the participants will learn a lot and thereby serve the society as needed.
Program coordinator cum senior education officer CBWE, AK Chakraborty during the inaugural session addressed the participants on the aim, objective of the training and also requested the participants to grab the best of knowledge availed considering the future development of their NGO’S in their respective states as well.
The training has a total of 30 participants from different states of the NE region like 06 from Manipur, 06 from Teensukhia, 06 from Guwahati and 12 from Sikkim, but interestingly the number of women representatives compared to earlier training programmes has increased to five.

NCSO observes International Volunteer Day

MANGAN, 06 Dec: The Nature Conservation Social Organization (NCSO), a Kabi-Lungtsok based NGO observed the International Volunteer Day yesterday here at Tingda Primary School under Kabi-Tingda GPU in North Sikkim.  

West Sikkim NGOs contribute Rs 3,51,010 to the CM’s Relief Fund

GANGTOK, 06 Dec: Hee-Bermiok Tourism Development and Heritage Conservation Society have presented details of the contributions made by various NGOs of West Sikkim towards the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund in support of earthquake victims, in a press release issued its president, TN Sharma.

NGO organizes fund-raising raffle to construct Home for children in need

GANGTOK, 04 Dec: Subha Laxmi Social Organization [SLSO], a Gangtok-based NGO, plans to construct a home for orphans and children in need here. In order to raise funds for the same, the organisation has announced a raffle draw.

Friends Assc tours North Sikkim on earthquake relief

GANGTOK, 02 Dec: Members of Friends Association visited North Sikkim on 26 Nov on a two-day relief initiative for earthquake victims. The visit was made with funds gathered by the association along with contributions from friends and family, informs a press release. The association had also received relief materials from the NGO ‘Americares’.

Of 1,800 registered NGOs in Sikkim, only 26 are enrolled with Social Welfare Dept

TO ACCESS GOVT GRANTS, REGISTRATION WITH WELFARE DEPT A MUST
AMEET OBEROI
GANGTOK, 29 Nov: There are a total of 26 Non Governmental Organisations [NGOs] registered with the Social Welfare, Empowerment & Justice Department [SWE&JD] from all over the State.

Stricter guidelines framed for NGOs seeking govt aid

GANGTOK, 21 Nov: All non-governmental organizations [NGOs] seeking grants from the State government will now have meet certain guidelines to become eligible for such grants. As of now, the more than 1,800 NGOs registered with the Law Department were not required to do much by way of following any rules, regulations or prescribed guidelines. The government, this time around, has also recognized that many of the registered NGOs are not active or actively engaged in any programmes and projects as they should be. Moreover, it is common knowledge that many are also formed to secure funding from agencies within and outside the state.