Meghalaya’s Cleanest Village Champions to Join Independence Day Celebrations at Red Fort

Four exemplary village leaders from Meghalaya have been chosen to represent the state at the 2025 Independence Day celebrations in New Delhi, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to sanitation, waste management, and water supply under the Swachh Bharat Mission–Grameen (SBM-G). The honoured delegates are Leverius Dkhar from Laitmynsaw in East Khasi Hills, Krin Dkhar from Lumshken in East Jaintia Hills, Cacino Marak from Aminda Rangsagre in West Garo Hills, and Almen D. Shira from Chachatgre in East Garo Hills. They will attend the August 15 ceremony at the Red Fort as Special Guests, accompanied by their spouses, marking a proud moment for their communities and for Meghalaya.

Each of these leaders has spearheaded remarkable grassroots initiatives that have transformed their villages into models of cleanliness, hygiene, and sustainable water supply. All four villages have achieved the “ODF Plus” status — a distinction granted to communities that not only eliminate open defecation but also maintain rigorous standards in managing both solid and liquid waste, promote composting, and ensure public spaces remain clean and hygienic. Beyond sanitation, these leaders have successfully implemented the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), guaranteeing piped drinking water to every household and ending long-standing struggles over access to clean water.

Leverius Dkhar of Laitmynsaw, who has previously travelled to Delhi in 2022 for JJM-related work, noted the significant progress in his village’s water supply. Residents now enjoy reliable water access twice daily, in the mornings and evenings, with well-maintained pipelines ensuring uninterrupted flow. His leadership also helped Laitmynsaw earn the cleanliness award from Mylliem Block, further cementing its reputation for hygiene and community upkeep.

For Krin Dkhar of Lumshken, this will be his first-ever trip to the national capital. Reflecting on the transformation in his village, he recalled that residents once had to trek into the forest to fetch water. Today, every household enjoys direct water connections, sparing children from the burden of carrying water long distances. He credited this achievement to strong community cooperation, which played a vital role in sustaining improvements in both sanitation and water supply.

Cacino Marak’s leadership in Aminda Rangsagre has also been transformative. The village was recognised in 2022 as an “ODF Plus Model Village,” one of only five in the entire Garo Hills to earn the honour. Under Marak’s guidance, Aminda Rangsagre undertook a holistic development approach — building toilets for all households, upgrading community facilities, establishing a plastic waste processing unit, and introducing composting and biogas plants. These measures have not only improved environmental hygiene but also contributed to better public health, reduced the spread of disease, enhanced tourism potential, and converted waste into valuable resources for handicraft production.

Together, these four leaders have demonstrated that local initiative, when supported by effective government schemes, can drive long-term change in rural communities. Their selection as Special Guests at the Red Fort serves as national recognition of their success stories and as inspiration for villages across India striving to achieve sustainable sanitation, clean water access, and community-driven development.