Shillong: The State Urban Livelihood Mission (SULM) under the Urban Affairs Department, Government of Meghalaya, successfully organized the PRAISE (Performance Recognition for Access to Financial Inclusion and Street Vendors Empowerment) Awards ceremony on October 23, 2024. The event honored key stakeholders for their contributions to the Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM-SVANidhi) scheme, which aims to empower street vendors across the state.
Among the dignitaries present were Sanbor Shullai, MLA of South Shillong, Satish Kumar Singh, Under Secretary at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, Pravin Bakshi, Commissioner & Secretary of Social Welfare, Meghalaya, P.K. Boro, Director of Urban Affairs and State Mission Director of DAY-NULM and PMSVANidhi, and other notable officials.
P.K. Boro welcomed the dignitaries and expressed gratitude to the self-help groups (SHGs) from across the state for their participation. A special moment at the event was the presence of over nine street vendors, who attended with their spouses as honored guests, celebrating their role in the success of PM-SVANidhi.
Sanbor Shullai highlighted that the SULM award recognizes best practices under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY-NULM), with a focus on women-led SHGs and micro-entrepreneurs. He explained that the PRAISE Awards were established by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to acknowledge the efforts of stakeholders—including state governments, urban local bodies (ULBs), and banks—in promoting financial inclusion and empowering street vendors.
Pravin Bakshi expressed joy at seeing the happy faces of award recipients, commending the Urban Affairs Department and the state government for their support of street vendors and hawkers. He noted that despite initial challenges, Meghalaya has performed exceptionally well under PM-SVANidhi, ranking third among hilly states.
Satish Kumar Singh congratulated the beneficiaries and stakeholders for their dedication, emphasizing that collaboration between urban local bodies, the Government of India, and financial institutions can achieve remarkable results for the common good.
Larisa Mawroh, State Mission Manager, SULM, shared that Meghalaya has mobilized around 500 SHGs and established two City Livelihood Centers (CLCs) in Mawkhar, with another planned for Tura. She also noted that SULM has provided 149 loans to individual entrepreneurs, supporting them in business incubation.
The awarded SHGs included:
- Green Jobs and Sustainability: Iainehskhem SHG, Shillong (Environmental Protection through Waste Recycling)
- Community Mobilization & Institutional Growth: Kyrshanlang CLF, Shillong
- Best in Food Processing: Nokmechik SHG, Tura
- Most Entrepreneurial SHG: Dabitnalsagittim Community Development Society, Baghmara
- Best in Service Delivery: Edubridge SHG, Shillong
- Best in Traditional Arts & Crafts: Tengna SHG, Williamnagar
- Best in Textiles: Weaver SHG, Resuelpara
The PRAISE Awards were created to celebrate the achievements of stakeholders who have supported the economic empowerment of street vendors, while also highlighting best practices under DAY-NULM, particularly in women-led SHGs and micro-entrepreneurship.
