Lighthouse Initiative Phase-II: Stakeholder Orientation Program Conducted in Panvel
The Lighthouse Initiative Phase-II marks a significant milestone in building ODF Plus Model Villages under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen). A one-day Stakeholder Orientation Program held in Panvel brought together 71 stakeholders, including Gram Panchayat representatives, district officials, and block-level functionaries, to promote sustainable sanitation practices.
Under the guidance of Mr. Sanjay Kumar Pandey, Team Lead – Central PMU for LHI Phase-II, the program facilitated strategic collaboration among the CEO, Zilla Parishad Raigad, Mr. Sameer Vatharkar, Block Development Officer (BDO), Mr. Mahesh Pandhare, Assistant Block Development Officer (ABDO), and technical partners from Hindalco Industries.
The comprehensive training covered eight critical modules, including ODF Plus protocols, solid and liquid waste management systems, Village Development Plans, and behavior change communication strategies. All Sarpanchs participated actively throughout the orientation, with Mahila Sarpanchs contributing particularly valuable suggestions.
Key outcomes of the program included:
- Enhanced planning capabilities for sustainable waste management
- Established pathways for integrating Self-Help Groups (SHGs) into sanitation initiatives
- Strengthened CSR–Gram Panchayat partnerships for scalable impact
