GUWAHATI/JALUKBARI/JORABAT, March 8 - International Women�s Day was celebrated across the city today in honour of the contribution of women to the society. Various programmes were held in institutions across Guwahati and nearby areas.
Gauhati University: Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi today attended the International Women�s Day celebrations at Gauhati University. The programme was organised by the Department of Women Studies.
Addressing the programme, Mukhi said the society must be made �more embracive, inclusive and sensible� where women get a fair share in the socio, economic, political and cultural development. He paid tributes to women achievers including Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka, Indira Gandhi of India, Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May of the UK, Golda Meir of Israel, etc., and also mentioned the achievements of astronauts Sunita Williams and Kalpana Chawla, and sportspersons Hima Das, Mary Kom and Saina Nehwal.
Mukhi mentioned government policy initiatives like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Kanaklata Mahila Sabalikaran Achoni, etc., to tap the indomitable strength of women and make them active partners in the development of the society. The Governor later presented awards to women achievers of Gauhati University.
LGBI Airport: The Airports Authority of India celebrated the Day at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. To honour women, the entire air traffic movements were controlled by women Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCO). The Air Traffic Controllers Guild � North East Region felicitated all women ATCs for their dedication.
Ayursundra Hospital: Ayursundra Healthcare observed the Day at their office in Lachit Nagar. CEO Dr Abhijit Hazarika said women hold special significance not only in the workplace but also in the society. Assamese film actress Alishmita Goswami, singer and performer Ritrisha Sarmah and Prag News anchor Ranima Borthakur were present on the occasion.
Royal Global University: The Department of Political Science at Royal Global University (RGU) celebrated the Day at the RGU premises. Delivering a talk on �Balance for Better�, Prof (Dr) Nilima Bhagabati, former professor in the Department of Education at Gauhati University, said that gender equality will be possible if the government improves gender representation in growth policies.
NECHRI: A programme on �Breast Cancer Awareness, Early Detection and Prevention� was organised by students from the Department of Social Work of Assam Don Bosco University and Nerim Group of Institutions at the North East Cancer Hospital and Research Institute in Jorabat.
NECHRI managing director Dr MN Baruah, who is also an active member of Union of International Cancer Control (UICC) based in Geneva, said women represent the beauty and the strength of a family, community, society and nation, but �both beauty and strength is at stake as women are major victims of cancer in our region�.
Health City Hospital: Health City Hospital announced the opening of the first phase of its Well Women�s Clinic as part of the International Women�s Day celebrations. The clinic was launched in the presence of national award winner and renowned singer Tarali Sarma. The hospital announced free consultation and clinical examination from March 8 to April 8, 2019. The hospital also organised a run for breast cancer awareness, which was flagged off by actress Barasha Rani Bishaya.
Holy Child School: Holy Child School celebrated the Day at the school campus. Tinat Atifa Masood, journalist, socio-political activist, producer-director, poet, blogger, urged the students to follow the three Ls in life � laugh, live and love. Class 8 student Angarika Ayushi Borah sang an Assamese song, which was followed by a dance on women empowerment by class 11 students.
BSF, Guwahati Frontier HQ: The Border Security Force observed the Day at the Guwahati Frontier headquarters under the aegis of the BSF Wives Welfare Association. BWWA president Rashmi Aggarwal highlighted the achievements of women and exhorted womenfolk to be inspired by these developments and instill confidence in the minds of their girl child.
151 Base Hospital: The Day was celebrated at the 151 Base Hospital, Basistha, with a series of health lectures and a health camp organised for the families of Narangi and Basistha Military Station. Around 160 families participated in the event, which was inaugurated by Brig Yoginder Singh, Commandant, 151 Base Hospital, who highlighted the importance of gender equality and health of women.
SBI Local Head Office: The State Bank of India, Local Head Office, Dispur, felicitating five eminent women personalities of Assam � Dr Alaka Goswami (healthcare), Manjula Saikia Bhuyan (IAS), Violet Baruah (IPS), Rakhi Dutta Saikia (entrepreneur) and Zublee Baruah (social worker) � who have achieved exemplary success in their fields.
Divine Hand: Divine Hand Welfare Organisation celebrated the Day at Vivekananda Kendra. Women achievers Dr Jita Khound Kotoky, author Nirupama Borgohain and Additional Superintendent of Police Purabi Mazumdar were felicitated.
B Borooah Cancer Institute: Dr Bhubaneswar Borooah Cancer Institute in collaboration with Sanjeevani � Life Beyond Cancer celebrated the Day with women cancer patients. Women dignitaries, including Madhuchanda Adhikari, DGM (corporate communications) at NRL; Kalpana Sarathy, professor at TISS; Assistant Commissioner of Police Mousumi Kalita; Aajyaveer Foundation president Julie Borgohain spoke on women empowerment and motivated the women cancer survivors. Dr Minati Baruah of BBCI delivered a talk on women empowerment.
Women�s groups: The All India Democratic Women�s Association, Asom Mahila Sangha, Sadou Asom Pragatisheel Nari Sanstha and North East Network celebrated the Day and urged the State to protect women�s rights. A discussion on �Religious fundamentalism and impact on women� was held at Gauri Sadan.
DC, Kamrup (Metro): The Day was celebrated in the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Kamrup (Metro). DC Biswajit Pegu explained the significance of the Day, while several legislations, meant to ensure security of women, were also discussed.
Sanjibani Sangha: Sanjibani Sangha, the women doctors� association of GMCH felicitated six women achievers, including two burn survivors who are excelling despite the disabilities and disfigurement.
Country Women Association of India: Country Women Association of India, a non-profit voluntary organisation celebrated the day at its office in Pub Sarania.
Narangi Anchalik Mahavidyalaya: The Narangi Anchalik Mahavidyalaya under the aegis of the Narangi Anchalik Mahavidyalaya Women Study and Research Centre organised a day-long programme. NEF Law College principal Dr Ruma Bordoloi spoke on women�s issues. The first Sangeeta Borthakur Memorial Speech Competition was organised on the occasion.
Hengrabari Housing Colony: The Hengrabari Housing Colony Mahila Samaj held a meeting of women residents of the area. Samaj president in-charge Dorin Hazarika presided over the meeting, in which journalist Jahnabi Khound and Ganatantrik Mahila Samiti leader Niyati Barman spoke on the significance of the Day. Many women recited poems and sang songs. Samaj general secretary Ila Bhuyan anchored the programme.
