AIZAWL, Feb 22: Mizoram’s unique ‘Nghah Loh Dawr’ system, which features unmanned roadside shops selling vegetables and fruits based on trust and honesty, has been lauded for its integrity. Mizoram’s Social Welfare, Tribal Affairs, and Women and Child Development Minister, Lalrinpuii, highlighted this practice at the National Tribal Livelihoods Summit, 2025, in New Delhi. Speaking at the event, she praised the Mizo society’s strong ethical values that allow these roadside shops to operate without shopkeepers, relying on the integrity of buyers to pay for what they take.
The summit, organized by the Bharat Rural Livelihoods Foundation (BRLF) in collaboration with the Axis Bank Foundation (ABF), brought together representatives from funding agencies, public sector units, international development organizations, Union ministries, and State governments. During her address, Lalrinpuii emphasized that the ‘Nghah Loh Dawr’ system serves as a model of trust, reflecting the deeply ingrained culture of honesty in Mizoram.
Lalrinpuii also discussed the challenges faced by Mizoram, pointing out its geographical constraints as the remotest and landlocked state in the country, surrounded by two international borders. She noted that these challenges have limited access to resources and development opportunities, with minimal CSR contributions and a lack of engagement from funding agencies.
Despite these hurdles, the minister urged summit participants to invest in Mizoram’s development, advocating for well-structured planning and strategic investments to uplift the state’s tribal population. She stressed the need for increased collaboration between the government and the private sector to ensure sustainable livelihoods for Mizoram’s tribal communities.
The BRLF, an autonomous society established by the Central Government in 2013, continues to play a vital role in supporting tribal communities across 10 states by providing livelihood solutions through a mix of government funding and CSR contributions. The organization focuses on the socio-economic upliftment of tribal populations by partnering with grassroots initiatives.
