SVM Monthly Newsletter – March 2025

In This Issue

Foundation Stone-Laying Ceremony Held for New Cancer and Cardiac Speciality Hospital at Vatrak Hospital | Executive Chairman’s Visit to India | Strengthening Education Roots: FLN Training Triumphs in Samanda Block, East Garo Hills | Smart Village Movement Showcases STEM Education at NECTAR Campus Launch in Meghalaya | Strengthening STEM Education: SVM’s Training at IISER Pune | Healthcare Success Story | New Education Project- Empowering Meghalaya’s Youth: Aspire Leaders Program

Message from the Executive Director

Dear Friends,

This month, Dr. Anil Shah, SVM’s Executive Chairman, visited India, strengthening our presence in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Meghalaya. A significant milestone was the foundation stone laying ceremony for the new Cardiac & Cancer Care Hospital in Vatrak, Gujarat, where Dr. Anil and Mrs. Preeti Shah led the auspicious rituals to launch this critical healthcare initiative.

In Meghalaya, SVM’s Foundational Learning pilot with FLN Partner Madhi Foundation continues to make strides in empowering Grade 1 and 2 teachers with effective strategies to enhance students’ English and math skills.

Additionally, SVM played a key role in the NECTAR campus launch, reinforcing our commitment to STEM education in rural areas. Our interactive STEM Lab booth showcased innovative learning tools designed to foster curiosity, creativity, and technological skills. With a vision to impact 100 schools, this initiative equips students with practical knowledge and modern tools, preparing them for a rapidly evolving world.

As part of our expanding education efforts, we are excited to introduce the Aspire Leaders Program (ALP) as a new initiative to empower Meghalaya’s youth. In collaboration with Aspire Institute and MPOWER SCEP MEGHALAYA, this fully funded, 9-week online leadership development program is designed for first-generation college students from low-income backgrounds.

Through these initiatives, SVM remains dedicated to driving sustainable rural development by advancing healthcare, education, and technology. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to scale our impact!

Anna Fitter
Executive Director
Smart Village Movement

We would love to explore opportunities to collaborate, align your organization’s CSR goals with our mission, and help implement for success and impact. Please reach out by emailing anna@smartvillagemovement.org

In a momentous step towards transforming healthcare in Gujarat’s Aravalli district, the stone-laying ceremony for a world-class Cancer and Cardiac Specialty Hospital was held at the historic Vatrak Hospital. The event was graced by Dr. Anil Shah, Chairman of the Smart Village Movement (SVM) and a key contributor to the upcoming hospital, alongside distinguished dignitaries, including Mrs. Preeti Anil Shah, Mr. Deepak Chandar, and Dr. Sujata Shah, Chairperson of Shri K. K. Shah Sabarkantha Arogya Mandal. Trustees, leaders, doctors, hospital staff, and community members were also present at the occasion.

Vatrak Hospital, a 60-year-old institution serving millions, was originally established through the visionary efforts of Shri K. K. Shah, a respected leader, philanthropist, and former minister in Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s government. With generous support from Maharaja Shrimant Fatehsinhrao Gaekwad, the hospital has provided affordable and accessible healthcare to the people of the region. Now, with the addition of state-of-the-art cancer and cardiac care facilities, the hospital is set to usher in a new era of medical excellence. Read More

Meghalaya: Dr. Anil V. Shah, Executive Chairman of Smart Village Movement (SVM), recently visited Meghalaya to assess ongoing projects, engage with government stakeholders, and explore new opportunities for collaboration. In discussions with the Principal Secretary and the Nodal Officer overseeing SVM’s operations, he reviewed the progress of nearly 30 projects, with 25% now scaling across the state. The government acknowledged SVM’s impact, recognizing the tangible benefits these initiatives have brought to rural communities. Dr. Shah also met with the team to evaluate progress across verticals, address challenges, and refine strategies while ensuring employee welfare and motivation.

Beyond reviewing ongoing projects, Dr. Shah explored new avenues for collaboration that could shape the next phase of SVM’s work in Meghalaya. His discussions and site visits focused on expanding impact, fostering innovation, and strengthening partnerships to drive sustainable development in 2025 and beyond.

New Delhi: Dr. Anil Shah was honored at the inauguration of the World Peace Center in New Delhi, established under the leadership of Jain Acharya Lokesh Muni Ji. This momentous occasion was attended by esteemed guests, including Ram Nath Kovind, the former president of India. This recognition celebrates his contributions to promoting peace and harmony.

Rajasthan:Dr Shah and the SVM team also visited Rajasthan and met with key government officials and spiritual leader Shri Lokeshwar Muniji. SVM is exploring new rural development projects for the underserved community in Rajasthan, including water security, healthcare, and education.

From March 11th to 12th, 2025, the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) Refresher Training unfolded across three venues—DRDA Hall 1, DRDA Hall 2, and the District Auditorium—in Samanda Block, East Garo Hills, Meghalaya. This vital initiative, a collaboration between the Madhi Foundationand Smart Village Movement (SVM), aimed to empower Grade 1 and 2 teachers with strategies to enhance students’ foundational English and math skills.

Day one saw 86 teachers from 100 schools, rising to 91 on day two, engaging in sessions on FLN’s importance, lesson planning for Math and English, and baseline assessments. Hands-on demo lessons and a focus on practical application ensured teachers left equipped to transform classrooms, with books distributed to support their efforts.

The second day built on this momentum, diving into English lesson planning and formative assessments to identify and bridge learning gaps. Facilitated by experts from Madhi Foundation and SVM, the training wrapped up with a recognition ceremony—active teachers received trophies and certificates, celebrating their commitment.Read More

On March 13, 2025, the Smart Village Movement (SVM) proudly participated in the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) campus in Mawdiangdiang, Shillong. The event, officiated by Union Minister of Science and Technology, Mr.Jitendra Singh, highlighted NECTAR’s transformative role in the Northeast and celebrated the launch of Smart Village Movement’s STEM Education Lab.

At the exhibition booth, SVM showcased this groundbreaking initiative—a collaboration with NECTAR and IISER Pune—designed to revolutionize STEM learning in Meghalaya. Launched earlier this year, the lab aims to equip students from 100 schools with hands-on experience in electronics, robotics, 3D printing, and other emerging technologies, fostering innovation and future-ready skills. Read More

In a significant step toward advancing STEM education, Smart Village Movement (SVM) Project STEM Trainer Chonsram Sangma and Pascaleo Kharmuti, STEM mobiliser, participated in an intensive three-day training at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune from February 26 to February 28, 2025. Hosted at IISER’s cutting-edge campus, the program reinforced our mission to bring hands-on STEM learning—robotics, 3D printing, and electronics—to rural students across Meghalaya.

Through workshops led by IISER’s expert faculty, our team explored innovative teaching methods, lab-based pedagogies, and prototype development, ensuring real-world applications for rural classrooms. This training further strengthens our STEM Education Lab initiative launched with NECTAR, equipping 100 schools in Meghalaya with tools for a tech-driven future. Read More

Life-saving care at its finest! Jesmina Bib’s emergency delivery of a healthy baby girl at Gramin Health Care’s Gomaijhora clinic from Garo Hills proves the power of accessible healthcare. From crisis to celebration, Gramin team made it happen. Grateful for Gramin Health Care’s dedication—pics and story courtesy of Gramin Health Care!

Mobilization is underway for the Aspire Leaders Program (ALP), a fully funded 9-week online leadership development initiative designed for first-generation college students from low-income backgrounds. Through our partnership with Aspire Institute and MPOWER SCEP MEGHALAYA, Smart Village Movement is bringing this transformative opportunity to Meghalaya’s youth. Participants will gain access to funding, connect with a global network of peers, and attend masterclasses with world-class educators. The program also includes professional skills training and an exclusive leadership course designed and delivered by Harvard faculty.

This initiative aligns with our mission to empower rural communities through innovation and leadership. If you are a first-gen university student or recent graduate (18-29), this is your chance to boost your leadership skills and open new career pathways. Applications for Cohort 3 (May 28 – July 29, 2025) are open until April 30. Apply now: https://bit.ly/ALP25.
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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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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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