IAS officer celebrates Holi by painting PMAY beneficiary’s home in Meghalaya village

In a heartwarming Holi gesture , an IAS officer in Meghalaya chose community service over festivities, helping paint the newly built home of a beneficiary under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in the remote Myrkhan village.

Swapnil Tembe, who serves as the secretary of the state finance department, spent the festival day lending a hand to complete the house of a woman beneficiary under the Centre’s flagship housing scheme. Accompanied by his mother, friends and colleagues, the officer picked up paintbrushes and helped coat the walls of the newly constructed home, turning the festival of colours into a moment of shared effort and joy for the family.

Sharing the experience on social media, Tembe wrote, “On the occasion of Holi 2026, went to Myrkhan Village to paint the house of a PMAY beneficiary. Happy Holi.” In another message, he added, “Let us bring colours to people’s lives. That is how I like to celebrate Holi. Thank you @emi_daka for co-sponsoring the paints.”

The initiative soon drew participation from villagers, who joined in with brushes and paints, transforming the occasion into a community celebration. For the beneficiary family, the day marked more than just the finishing touches on their new house; it symbolised community solidarity and the promise of a dignified living space.

Launched by the Union government in 2015, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana aims to provide affordable housing to economically weaker and low-income families across both urban and rural India. The scheme operates through two main components PMAY (Urban) and PMAY (Gramin) and has been rolled out in all states and Union Territories to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive financial assistance to build or upgrade permanent houses.

In Meghalaya, the scheme has made steady progress. According to official data, more than 23,600 houses sanctioned under PMAY (Urban and Gramin) have been completed out of over 25,000 units approved in the state, bringing secure housing within reach for thousands of families.