Meghalaya partners with BAKDIL to enhance ECD interventions in Garo Hills region

In a significant move In a significant move toward strengthening community-led early childhood development (ECD) initiatives, the Government of Meghalaya signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BAKDIL, the social service wing of the Catholic Diocese of Tura. The MoU was signed in the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma during an ECD inaugural programme held at St. Luke’s Church, Tura today. The agreement formalises a two-year collaboration under which Parish Priests, Village Catechists, Pocharoks, and Touring Sisters will work alongside the Meghalaya Early Childhood Development Mission (MECDM) to promote nurturing care, maternal health, and early learning across the five districts of Garo Hills- East Garo Hills, West Garo Hills, South Garo Hills, North Garo Hills and South West Garo Hills. The MoU was signed by Shri Sampath Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary & Development Commissioner, and Rt. Rev. Andrew R. Marak, Bishop of Tura Diocese. Mr. Ronald Kynta, Chief Operations Officer, MECDM, and Fr. Cyril Sangma, Director of BAKDIL, were also present. The programme highlighted the unique opportunity to align faith-based values with the science of early childhood development, emphasising that holistic interventions during the first eight years of life are key to unlocking a child’s full potential. MECDM’s collaboration with BAKDIL will integrate ECD concepts into premarital courses, church gatherings, and community outreach, leveraging the trusted position of religious institutions.

The event saw the participation of over 100 individuals, including Parish Priests, Touring Sisters, SHG representatives managed by BAKDIL, and senior officials such as Shri Vibhor Agarwal, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Smti. Rikse R. Marak, MCS, Joint Secretary, CM’s Secretariat Tura, and Shri Abraham T Sangma, IPS, SP West Garo Hills.toward strengthening community-led early childhood development (ECD) initiatives, the Government of Meghalaya signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BAKDIL, the social service wing of the Catholic Diocese of Tura. The MoU was signed in the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma during an ECD inaugural programme held at St. Luke’s Church, Tura today. The agreement formalises a two-year collaboration under which Parish Priests, Village Catechists, Pocharoks, and Touring Sisters will work alongside the Meghalaya Early Childhood Development Mission (MECDM) to promote nurturing care, maternal health, and early learning across the five districts of Garo Hills- East Garo Hills, West Garo Hills, South Garo Hills, North Garo Hills and South West Garo Hills.

The MoU was signed by Shri Sampath Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary & Development Commissioner, and Rt. Rev. Andrew R. Marak, Bishop of Tura Diocese. Mr. Ronald Kynta, Chief Operations Officer, MECDM, and Fr. Cyril Sangma, Director of BAKDIL, were also present. The programme highlighted the unique opportunity to align faith-based values with the science of early childhood development, emphasising that holistic interventions during the first eight years of life are key to unlocking a child’s full potential. MECDM’s collaboration with BAKDIL will integrate ECD concepts into premarital courses, church gatherings, and community outreach, leveraging the trusted position of religious institutions. The event saw the participation of over 100 individuals, including Parish Priests, Touring Sisters, SHG representatives managed by BAKDIL, and senior officials such as Shri Vibhor Agarwal, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Smti. Rikse R. Marak, MCS, Joint Secretary, CM’s Secretariat Tura, and Shri Abraham T Sangma, IPS, SP West Garo Hills.