SMS alert for development work creating positive impact in peoples mind

Wokha(galand), April 28: The innovative awareness campaign on the government scheme through SMS alert which has been launched successfully during the month of February 2016 under the project of ACTED has unleashed a vast sea of change in the perception of the people about the government schemes in this sleepy insurgency hit district.

As per this innovative schemes, bulk SMS have been sent to the rural populace detailing about some particular government schemes, keeping the stake holders informed and updated. There has been widespread allegation that lack of awareness is one of the prime reasons why the government schemes do not reach the beneficiaries.

Detailing about the innovative scheme of bulk SMS to the rural populace, Mintu Debth, the Documentation and Communication officer from ACTED said that this innovative effort was actually a part of the ambitious EU-ACTED project of “improving access to information and delivery of public scheme to seven backward districts of North East” .

Raju Teron, the AMEU mager from ACTED said that on a follow up survey made by several volunteers after the launch of the SMS alert system good positive response is observed and has been received from amongst the people. It has been seen that people residing in the remote interior part of the villages who are socially distorted and deprived off their rights because of lack of awareness are now at least have become little advanced as updated information regarding various government schemes are now available with them at the click of the button.

As per the reports received from ACTED, till date a total 5,30,693 number SMS has been sent  which accounts for 26.53% of the total 2 million SMS credit. The bulk SMS which are sent to the rural populace are aimed to reach out every targeted individuals under this project. As  very often it is seen that  the conventiol media neither carry the news and information about the development schemes and even if they are carried, it does not reach out to the rural populace.

 It is being hoped that such delivery  of bulk SMSs would make the rural people to aware of the particular scheme and benefits hitting at their door step.

Based on the experience of the SMS alert, very soon voice alert system  will also be started, mentioned Teron. The drafting of the voice SMS has already been completed and the  recording for the  same is expected to begin within a month. The voice SMS will mainly target the illiterate rural folks  who are uble to read the information in text message. The voice SMS will be released in three languages - that is English, Bengali and Assamese, said Teron

It is for the first time that technology have been used at this level to reach out the rural populace and make them aware regarding the various schemes i.e Jani Sishu Suraksha Karyakram, Integrated Child Development Services, Indira Awas Yoj, Mid Day meal Scheme, MGNREGA, Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yoj, Total sanitation campaign( Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan). Rajiv Gandhi Grameen VIdyuti karan Yoja, tiol Social Assistance Yoja, tiol Social Assistance Program, Targeted Public Distribution System.

 The main objective of the entire project is to improve access to information and delivery of public scheme in the remote Backward districts of North East India.

A special training was organized so as to train the volunteers on the approach to collect the phone numbers from the tive rural villagers. Greater care has been taken on collection of mobile number from the beneficiaries, as it would be the key factor for making this move successful. This was stated in a press release.