To build partnerships with NGOs for the socio-economic development of the city, UT Administrator General S F Rodrigues launched the “Partnership Initiative Programme” at a function at Tagore Theatre on Wednesday.

In his address, General Rodrigues urged all NGOs and RWAs to create a culture of ‘giving back’ to society and shed the approach of ‘we’ and ‘they’. He said when dealing with issues of social importance, they should develop a feeling of ‘us’.

“We have to genuinely involve ourselves with a sense of commitment and ownership to address issues of common interest,” he said. “This partnership initiative has been launched to involve NGOs, voluntary agencies, social workers and resident welfare associations in the social welfare programmes launched by the Chandigarh Administration”.

Referring to the various programmes of the Administration — home-cum-vocational centre for street children and homes for disabled, crippled and mentally challenged children, etc. — Rodrigues said there are opportunities for people in all walks of life to contribute.

A brochure on the ‘Partnership Initiative Programme’ and a quarterly magazine on ‘Moral Values and Civic Duties’ were released on the occasion.

Under the programme, UT Home Secretary Ram Niwas said, work would be undertaken in six key areas — alternative innovative education, female foeticide, drug de-addiction, social welfare, tree plantation and sanitation and removal of garbage.

Appreciating the initiative, P C Sanghi, chairman of the Resident Welfare Association of Chandigarh, said this “novel programme will attract mass participation from every strata of society”.

Krishan Kumar, Director General Education Punjab and former Deputy Commissioner of Nawanshaher, gave a presentation on improving the sex ratio through participation at the grassroots level.

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