Guleli: There are some who rely exclusively on elections to do social work while others go out of their way to extend a helping hand even if they are not into the political limelight. Nitin Shivdekar from Vante, Sattari may have been elected to the panchayat for the last 10 years but his social work did not end after his loss at this year’s panchayat polls.
Shivdekar has been the common name in Sattari who has genuinely contributed in getting the tribal community into the mainstream of life. He in coordination with former chief minister Pratapsingh Rane, Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane, Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude and Department of Tribal Welfare, has been crucial in getting the government schemes implemented for tribals.
While serving as the sarpanch of Bhironda panchayat, he with the help from former ZP member Premnath Hazare, brought in projects for the welfare of the people who belong to the lower rung of the society.
During his stint as a sarpanch and panch, he personally tried to move files of the applicants himself. 987 files of Griha Aadhar Scheme, 568 applications for Atal Asra Yojana, 216 of Laadli Laxmi Scheme, 297 Dayanand Samajik Suraksha Yojana applications, financial assistance for the children of 194 widows, 21 National Family Benefit Scheme, 78 water connections, 45 Sulabh Toilets, and 147 gas cylinder connections were handled during his tenure as sarpanch.
These numbers do not lie but apart from these official statistics, Shivdekar has taken initiative in forming self-help and cultural groups of tribal women as well as youth groups. His efforts, although appreciated by locals, have also been recognised by the government. He was bestowed upon the Goa Government’s Adivasi Pradnyavant Puraskar and was also felicitated by Nehru Yuva Kendra of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
“He personally helped the people from Kankire, Guleli last year who were affected due to the floods in July. The government declared assistance to the people but it was tedious work to gather all the required documents. He prepared all the documents and also submitted them to the concerned departments at Valpoi and Panaji,” said one of the family members who were hit by floods.
In cooperation with the Art and Culture Department, he opened a library at a shop which used to be a bar before. He consistently organises programs for students through his group Navchetana Pragati Manch. He assisted in erecting a ‘maand’ for Shigmo and solved the water issue of Dhatwada, Maddiwada, Dongarwada, Kamgal, Pilkarwada and Parwalwada by installing a pump at his own well.
