GUWAHATI, March 9 - Several organisations across the State observed the International Women�s Day with marches and meetings highlighting societal issues such as equal rights, wage parity or violence against women. Our Correspondents report:
Kokrajhar: Along with the rest of the country, the International Women�s Day also observed here at Kokrajhar by various organisations in a befitting manner.
The All Bodo Students� Union (ABSU) observed the day at Kokrajhar Basic Training Centre with a daylong programme. The programme was started with the hoisting of flag and an open session was also held at 12 noon.
The open session was chaired by Rangina Bargayary, assistant education secretary of the ABSU, while Jennifer Liang, chief functionary of ANT, an NGO, attended the meet as the chief guest. Barbara Thimm, NGO Consultant from Germany, also attended the programme as the guest of honour, among others. UPP vice-president was the appointed speaker of the session.
Ensuring the rights of women, creating awareness for the safety and security from the trafficking of humans, especially women, in today�s world are the main objectives, said Rangina Bargayary. Jennifer Liang spoke on the equality and social justice of women.
To create awareness about women empowerment and several other issues pertaining to women, Marwari Yuva Manch, Jagriti Branch, Kokrajhar, also organised a mass rally in Kokrajhar town on Tuesday morning.
On the occasion of International Women�s Day, the Manch also felicitated a few leading women of Kokrajhar who have done remarkable works in their respective fields and set an example for women in the society. Jagyawati Mohilary, Kokrajhar SDO, attended the programme as the chief guest.
NERSWN, an NGO, also observed the day in a colourful manner at Chandrapara, Kokrajhar.
The daylong programme started with the hoisting of flag, followed by several sport events, open session etc. The dignitaries who attended the programme include ABSU president Promod Boro, Executive Director of NERSWN Raju Kr Narzary, among others.
Kalaigaon: The International Women�s Day was observed at several places in and around Kalaigaon town with gaiety. Kalaigaon Lekhika Samiti centrally organised a programme at Lokapriya Bordoloi Public School Hall at around 3 pm which was presided over by social worker Bijuli Deka Das. Veteran woman of Kalaigaon Rupali Deka addressed the gathering at the programme.
Other dignitaries, including Khira Deka,Mili Barua, spoke on the role of women in today�s society. Binu Deka Saikia, Headmistress of Kalaigaon Girls� High School, spoke on the evolution of women�s liberation movement in the world since March 8, 1914.
Veteran singer Renu Saikia and Champa Chouhan performed a duet at the programme, while Rukmini Devi Kakati and Meera Barua sang songs on woman problems. In her concluding speech, Bijuli Deka Das requested all the women to take good care of their children with good moral education for a better India.
A friendly cricket match was also played on the occasion at Freedom Fighter Pani Ram Das playground which was inaugurated by social worker Jayanta Das.
Silchar: The day was observed with great enthusiasm in various institutions and organisations across Silchar on Tuesday. The NSS unit of Women�s College Silchar in collaboration with Nehru Yuva Kendra organised a function on the college premises to observe the day. Also, a discussion session was organised at the college auditorium wherein distinguished personalities of the region, including former vice-chancellor of Assam University, Silchar, Dr Tapodhir Bhattacharjee, Dr Manoj Kumar Paul, principal of the college, Brigadier Biswajit Chatterjee of NCC girl�s wing and noted author-journalist Mahua Choudhury participated.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Tapodhir Bhattacharjee said, �The umpteen incidents of sexual violence against women indicate the disparities meted out to the fairer section of the society. The attitude towards women must be changed.� Mahua Choudhury laid stresses on the need for inculcating sense of equality among the students, and girls in particular. Brigadier Biswajit Chatterjee also encouraged the students of the college to join the NCC and serve the nation.
Samarkanti Roy Choudhury, president of the governing body of the college, spoke on the relevance of the in the perspective of the UN theme �Planet 50-50 by 2030 he added to say that everyone in the society, both men and women should contribute to achieve gender equality in the society�.
Biswanath Chariali: The International Women�s Day was also observed at Galia here on Tuesday by several women organisations.
A meeting was held on the occasion with Mani Baruah in the chair. The meeting was conducted by Champa Saikia, where several speakers, including Naba Sharma Baruah, Swarna Hazarika, Malaya Hazarika, Sabita Hazarika, Mamina Begum, Bedamaya Dhakal and Bibhamani Das, highlighted the importance of the day in their speech.
They also called upon the women fraternity to work for a better society. Borgeet, Dihanaam, Biyanaam and Bihu dance were performed on the occasion.
Tinsukia: The day was observed by several organisations in different places here with daylong programmes. At Congress Bhawan, Tinsukia Block Mahila Congress Committee observed the occasion with a meeting. It was presided over by president of the committee, Swapna Konwar. Several speakers, including Manisha Hazarika and Meera Singh, chairperson of Tinsukia Zila Parishad, addressed the meeting.
