HT Bureau
DIPHU, March 8: Along with the rest of the world, International Women’s Day was observed across Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong with programmes highlighting women’s empowerment and social justice.
The Bharatiya Janata Party’s women’s wing, Bharatiya Janata Mahila Morcha, Lumbajong Mandal organised a programme at its office at 6 Kilu, The-so Ajur.
Related Posts:
Addressing the gathering, Seema Ronghangpi, former president of Karbi Nimso Chingthur Asong (KNCA) and a leader of the Mahila Morcha, said that women still lack adequate representation in society.
Recalling her earlier involvement in movements for women’s rights in the Karbi community, she noted that traditional Karbi authorities had once imposed restrictions on women, including barring them from entering certain areas while wearing sandals, using umbrellas or wearing bras.
Among others present at the programme were BJP Lumbajong Mandal president Bishnu Tisso, Bharatiya Janata Mahila Morcha Lumbajong Mandal president Irish Beypi and local MAC member Johny Timung.
Meanwhile, KNCA and the All India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA) jointly organised a commemorative event focusing on women’s empowerment and the continuing struggle for social justice.
The programme was inaugurated with the lighting of a ceremonial lamp by KNCA central committee vice-president Reka Terangpi and AIPWA Diphu district committee president Protima Singnarpi. Speakers including Protima Teronpi and KNCA general secretary Pratima Engheepi highlighted the global significance of the day and stressed the need to continue advocating for women’s rights in the region.
Several leaders and activists from local organisations participated in the programme, including Sumit Timung, president of the Karbi Students’ Association central committee; Jensing Timung, its general secretary; Robi Kumar Phangcho of Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation; Kache Rongpipi of Serdihun Serpindeng Asong; Kamola Tissopi of KSKA; and Jibo Kumar Phangcho of the RYA Hills Committee.
During the programme, participants also observed a one-minute silence in memory of late Arati Terangpi, a former veteran leader of AIPWA Karbi Anglong, paying tribute to her contributions to the women’s movement in the region.
