GUWAHATI, Dec 17 - For women in the Harengajao and Diyung Valley blocks in Dima Hasao district, life has always been full of challenges and vicissitudes, and the Covid-19 pandemic has made their struggles even more intense.
These women had been waiting for an opportunity to go ahead in life, overcoming all the difficulties of the present times and make the best out of the pandemic, and the moment came for them in the form of a National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) supported Micro Entrepreneurship Development Programme (MEDP) that kicked off on December 15.
This six-day programme, launched in the presence of JR Gokhe, DDM, Dima Hasao, NABARD, and several other dignitaries, is an initiative to help the tribal women realize the importance of self-sufficiency and empowerment.
Training in face mask making and hand sanitizers is a part of this programme and 60 women from these interior areas are enthusiastically learning the trade.
�This is a very relevant training. We will be able take advantage of the present market demand through this training,� said Margaret Thiek, president of the Immanuel Self Help Group.
Another participant, Sarichangsan, echoed similar sentiments. She said, �I�m looking ahead to contribute to my family�s income after completing this training. My additional income will help us improve our standard of living and we will also be able to provide good education to our children.� The 31-year-old housewife belongs to Ruthi SHG.
Appreciating this programme, organized by NGO Kalong-Kapili in association with the Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission, Gokhe urged the participants to grab opportunities that will ensure their welfare and development.
�Women have to shoulder immense responsibility in their families and in society. To make their voices heard, it is important that they be empowered, and empowerment will come only through economic independence,� said Gokhe.
Jyotish Talukdar, director of Kalong-Kapili, expressed that women empowerment is one of the prime objectives of the NGO and several projects of self-sufficiency have been implemented targeting women in remote areas.
Lead development manager of Dima Hasao T Lalchinhao assured of all support to facilitate institutional credit linkage in the area.
Elicia Lhouvum, block programme manager of Harengajao, Nivedita, block programme manager of Diyung Valley, and block managers of several banks, including AGVB, UBI, Axis Bank and Canara Bank, were present on the occasion.
