Amina Nabam
Life in Etalin is generally quiet, with the majestic Taloh River roaring mightily all year round. It serves as the circle headquarters of the Etalin-Maliney block in Dibang Valley district and, like the rest of the district, is sparsely populated.
However, over the past year, this peaceful town has been abuzz, for all the right reasons.
Following the directive of the panchayati raj department, mahila sabhas were organised across the state.
Etalin held its mahila sabha on September 19, last year. These sabhas, conducted at the gram panchayat level, are platforms for all women gram sabha members to come together and discuss their specific needs and concerns.
In alignment with the sustainable development goals (SDGs), the ministry of Panchayati Raj has localised the 17 global goals into nine key themes, one of the most prominent being the creation of a ‘Women-Friendly Village’.
During the Etalin mahila sabha, the need for a market shed was raised as a critical step toward local economic empowerment. This demand was forwarded to the gram sabha under the gram panchayat development plan and was approved. It was decided that the shed would be constructed using state own revenue (SOR) funds.
Due to the unavailability of suitable land initially, the market was temporarily set up at the Etalin General Ground. A consensus was reached that only organic or self-made produce would be sold and that the market would be operated exclusively by the indigenous inhabitants of the district. These decisions aimed to support small and marginal farmers and reduce dependency on imported vegetables.
The temporary weekly market commenced in November 2024 and witnessed enthusiastic participation from self-help groups (SHGs), individual farmers, and local artisans. As the only market in the district offering organic, local produce, it drew buyers from Anini and other nearby areas.
So far, SHGs have generated an income of approximately ?2,06,170 through sales at the weekly market, a modest but impactful beginning that is ensuring financial independence and inclusivity for Etalin’s women.
Another positive ripple effect of this initiative has been the growing interest in commercial vegetable farming.
SHGs have begun leasing land for cultivation, and the first batch of potatoes grown by one such group has already been harvested and sold. Etalin’s natural bounty, its rivers and streams, also adds to the market’s appeal, with fresh river catch and fish from nearby Amrit Sarovars being sold weekly.
Once suitable land was identified, a permanent market shed was constructed using SOR funds, and the weekly market was relocated there. The gram panchayat now earns an annual rent from the Etalin bazaar committee, adding to its own source of revenue (OSR).
In a similar initiative, a dedicated SHG shop has been set up in a nearby gram panchayat exclusively for the sale of indigenous Idu Mishmi handicrafts and handlooms. This emporium will serve as a vital platform for local artisans to showcase their work and connect with the right buyers. With the Etalin hydroelectric project on the horizon, the emporium could evolve into a one-stop shop for project developers—provided efforts are made to ensure that these marketplaces are supported.
The Etalin market shed stands as a shining example of the bottom-up approach to development. Community members identified their needs, and the administration facilitated their fulfillment through the panchayati raj system. Many such need-based projects have been implemented across the Etalin circle.
Today, one can find fresh vegetables and fish every Saturday at Etalin on the way to Anini—but due to high demand, they’re often sold out as soon as the market opens, sometimes even before!
(The writer is the circle officer of Etalin)
