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In This Issue Smart Village Movement Recap of the Year 2024 | SVM at the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Conference in Sri Lanka | Inauguration of Newly Renovated Government Primary Schools | SVM Interns Share |
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Message from the Executive Director Dear Friends Reflecting on 2024, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and pride for what we’ve accomplished together at the Smart Village Movement. This has been a year of transformation and impact, not just in the number of lives touched but in the profound stories we’ve helped shape—stories of hope, resilience, and empowerment that embody our mission. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our visionary Chairman and Founder, Dr. Anil Shah, whose vision to reimagine rural development has inspired this transformative journey. After his generous contributions as the “Builder of Berkeley,” Dr. Shah enabled the vital knowledge partnership and alliance with UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, laying the foundation for our monumental work. We are equally grateful for the steadfast leadership of our dynamic and inspiring CEO, Mr. Vivek V. Shah, who skillfully leads ground operations and governance in India, ensuring our mission takes root and thrives. To the dedicated teams across Meghalaya, Gujarat, and the USA, your passion and commitment drive our impact. To the progressive Government of Meghalaya officials, respected Board Members, and our donors, supporters, and partners, you are the lifeblood of this movement. Your unwavering belief in our vision fuels our ability to create meaningful change. Thank you for walking this path with us. Together, we are transforming lives and shaping a brighter future. This year, we saw farmers embrace new technologies, children gain access to quality education, and communities unite to solve challenges sustainably. These stories of human connection and progress are the legacy we hope to continue building—a legacy of innovation and collaboration that reimagines India’s villages as hubs of opportunity and growth. Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we are writing a new chapter of social and economic development, one village at a time. With gratitude, Anna Fitter Executive Director We would love to explore opportunities to collaborate and align your organization’s goals with our mission. If you’re interested, please reach out to our Executive Director, Anna, at anna@smartvillagemovement.org |
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SVM at the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Conference in Sri Lanka
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As we close the year, the Smart Village Movement is delighted to reflect on how business innovation and technology can drive sustainable models that empower emerging economies across Asia. Agriculture and tourism—two critical sectors underpinning many Asian economies—offer immense potential for transformative growth. Our Meghalaya Director of Operations, Tulenam Laloo, recently shared insights at the Asian Productivity Organization’s conference in Sri Lanka, where over 100 delegates convened to explore innovative solutions for regional development.Tulenam presented impactful projects, such as precision farming and drone crop monitoring etc, that illustrate the power of open innovation in converging tourism and technology to promote sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation. These initiatives address pressing local challenges and are repeatable and scalable models for fostering economic growth in emerging markets. By leveraging open innovation, we can unlock untapped opportunities, catalyze development, and create lasting positive impacts on communities. |
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Inauguration of Newly Renovated Classrooms at Lyngiong and Mawngap Government Lower Primary Schools
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A significant milestone in improving rural school infrastructure in Meghalaya was marked on November 29th with the inauguration of newly renovated classrooms at Lyngiong and Mawngap Government Lower Primary Schools. The event marks the successful culmination of a collaboration between Smart Village Movement (SVM) and One School at a Time (OSAAT), aimed to transform rural educational learning environments in government schools. The initiative, launched in October 2023, focused on addressing critical infrastructure challenges in rural schools, such as dilapidated buildings, overcrowded classrooms, and insufficient facilities. With a shared goal of enhancing the quality of education, the partnership has created modern, safe, and conducive learning environments for students at both schools, benefiting 478 children across both institutions. In collaboration with OSAAT, SVM has provided essential upgrades to the classrooms, including the construction of new classrooms, improved sanitation, and incorporation of Building as Learning Aid (BaLA) through educational wall paintings featuring alphabets, numbers, science concepts, and cultural themes. The project also included the provision of new furniture to ensure students have an optimal learning space. These improvements aim to foster academic excellence and nurture creativity, curiosity, and a sense of security among the children. Read more |
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Smart Village Movement Interns Share
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This year, Smart Village Movement (SVM) welcomed a dynamic group of interns for a transformative 23-day journey in Meghalaya, filled with hands-on learning and real-world impact. From drone monitoring in ginger cultivation to community meetings addressing rural challenges, these interns showcased how technology and collaboration can drive sustainable development. They also contributed to waste management efforts at Umiam Lake with Clearbot, led STEM workshops for teachers to bridge the rural-urban education divide, and championed environmental conservation through projects like EcoRi. This immersive experience sharpened their skills and deepened their understanding of co-creating solutions for rural challenges. Their inspiring testimonials highlight the power of meaningful action in making a difference. If you’re a college or high school student eager to create a real impact, join us as an intern or volunteer! Together, we can innovate, collaborate, and empower rural communities for a brighter future. Please write to us at careers@smartvillagemovement.org |
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Support SVM Rural Development Projects
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SVM is a nonprofit with 80(G) certification and is also registered as a 501(c)(3) organization. The tax-deductible contributions go directly to fund rural development and empowerment of village livelihoods in pilot areas. |
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What is the SVM Platform? The Smart Village Movement platform provides a digital platform for Governments, Educational Institutions, Business Organizations, and Village Entrepreneurs to come together in a collaborative effort to find innovative solutions in rural communities and build ‘Smart Villages’. Please sign up and access our platform engage with our movement and help us with creative & innovative solutions. Together we are all ‘smarter’.    |
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