Seven Sisters Development Assistance (SeSTA)

Seven Sisters Development Assistance (SeSTA) is an evolving development organisation in Northeast India. The idea of SeSTA is conceived by two young development professionals in the year 2011 to catalyse development activities in NE-India though the process of “Nirman” (constructive development) by working for improved Livelihood system and better wellbeing status of rural community of the North Eastern States of India. Due to its peculiar geo-political position the people of NE region have been alienated from the mainland Indian politically, economically, and culturally. They have been suffering from all kinds of prejudice, discrimination, exploitation and oppression for a long time (V.K.Nuh, 2011). The North Eastern region ranks the lowest in infrastructure development in the country. This fact compounds the problems posed by four specific features of the region: recurrent floods of the Brahmaputra and Barak and their tributaries, Severe Governance Deficit, large scale migration from Bangladesh and finally social unrest and insurgency. In this context it is seen that the region has stagnated economically though most of the smaller states show satisfactory progress in last two decades. The economy is largely based on subsistence oriented farming with a small contribution of the secondary sector and a large contribution from services, significantly dominated by the Government sector. Inadequate cash incomes and frustrations arising out of inability to meet modern aspirations comprise the major livelihoods problems in the region. However, as the region has very little contribution from the secondary sector, the economy is under a severe squeeze and it is apprehended that over a period of time the farm incomes will prove to be grossly inadequate to even meet the subsistence needs of most of the people. SeSTA pronounced ‘Chesta’- literally means ‘effort’ in Assamese. So, SeSTA is conceived to put effort as catalyst for economic development of the NE- India by building capabilities of poor communities, promoting and strengthening their institutions so that they could come out the vicious cycle of contested identity war, poverty and able to participate in the global economy. Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN), a National level NGO supporting the initiative of SeSTA with financial assistance from Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT), Mumbai. SeSTA believe that the active participation of every citizen irrespective of their cast, religion and ethnicity with a sense of equality and democracy is crucial for sustainable development. In this process of development SeSTA play a role of facilitator to bring such change with a group of well educated, pro-poor, caring and sensible professionals. Accelerating the process of Transformation from illbeing to wellbeing with equity, with interventions to enhance wellbeing of the poor community of the rural areas of NE-India by strengthening their present livelihood is core focus of SeSTA.