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Compassion, resilience in limelight as state celebrates International Women’s Day

Minister Ajanta Neog praised Arunodoi Scheme, describing it as a transformative initiative

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HT Bureau

GUWAHATI, March 8: Time has tested women with adversities of all kind. However, they have endured all, stood up each time they failed and faced challenges in today’s world. On Saturday the state geared up to celebrate a day dedicated to the mother, homemaker, leader, teacher among others. Historians, thinkers, writers alike however of the view that not a day but effort should be made each time she feels insecure, threatened and abandoned.

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Assam Pradesh Mahila Morcha, in collaboration with the Guwahati Metropolitan Mahila Morcha, organised a grand event at Kar Bhavan, Guwahati, to celebrate International Women’s Day.

Distinguished guest Nilima Bhagawati, a retired senior professor from Gauhati University’s education department, delivered an inspiring speech during the event. She described women as symbols of reverence, admiration, and divine power, emphasising that Assamese women have consistently progressed alongside men in various fields, contributing to the vision of a developed Assam.

Assam finance minister Ajanta Neog praised the state’s Arunodoi Scheme, describing it as a transformative initiative that empowers Assamese women by helping them turn their dreams into reality. She highlighted that several Indian states have adopted the Arunodoi model, recognizing it as a benchmark for women’s empowerment.

The event also honored several prominent Assamese women for their remarkable contributions to society, including

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Dhritimala Deka(Assam Gaurav Awardee), Padma Shri Parbati Baruah, Dhanada Pathak (Renowned Folk Musician), Juri Deka (Para-athlete ), Akshata Narain (Entrepreneur), Anamika Dale Saikia (Handloom and Textile Artisan), Uma Kaimal Saikia (Head of the Audiology Department, Gauhati Medical College), Manju Devi Penduk (Eminent Writer and Educationist), Assam BJP President Dilip Saikia presented the honors, underscoring the party’s dedication to empowering women.

The event, anchored by Assam BJP Mahila Morcha president Swapna Baniya, witnessed the presence of key leaders including Assam BJP President Dilip Saikia, Assam finance minister Ajanta Neog, Guwahati MP Bijuli Kalita Medhi, former Union Minister Bijoya Chakravarty, and former Guwahati MP Queen Oja, Dewan Dhrubajyoti Maral , Convenor, State Media Department, BJP Assam Pradesh.

The Narayana Superspeciality Hospital at Amingaon, celebrated International Women’s Day on Saturday. On this occasion, a medical awareness lecture was organized in the hospital’s auditorium.

The lecture was delivered by senior oncologist Dr Rajkumar Prakash, who elaborated on various health issues affecting women and their solutions.

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Marketing Head of Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Hirak Deka, and Ataur Rahman were also present at the event. Around a hundred women from different backgrounds participated in the program. Several women were also felicitated on this special occasion.

Our Morigaon Correspondent adds: The International Women’s day was celebrated by Nath-Jugi Mahila Parishad,Morigaon at Morigaon press club’s meeting hall on Saturday. On the occasion, a meeting was held where more than two hundred women from various communities participated in the programme. Earlier in the well attended programme the president of Morigaon Zila Nath-Jugi Mahila Parishad Ramen Nath inaugurated the programme with offering floral tribute at the portrait of the Guru Gurakha Nath. The working president of the organisation Jagadish Nath  lit the ceremonial lamp in the programme. The   secretary of NJMP Neela Devi explained the object of the meeting at length. A choras led by Leeza shree Devi was performed by the  women of the organization in the programme.A discussion on the occasion was also International Women day held.

Our Tezpur Correspondent adds:  International Women’s Day 2025 was celebrated with great enthusiasm at the Regional Meteorological Centre, Guwahati with a 5 day-long programme especially emphasising on the health and fitness related aspects of the women workforce.

The five days long celebration was kick started by K N Mohan, the head of RMC Guwahati on March 3. In his inaugural speech, he stressed to increase the number of women in scientific departments. Sanjay O’Neill Shaw, scientist-F congratulated all the women officials of the RMC and told that despite having several responsibilities in day to day lives of women, they are progressing in every fields.  Sunit Das, Scientist-F commented that in India, there are many women who are working in scientific departments and urged to motivate daughters to come forward in scientific field. Anamika Sarma, Scientific Assistant very well anchored different programmes organised during the celebration.

Our Sivasagar Correspondent adds: Anjali Basfor(50), a Safai Karmachari(woman sanitation worker)under Sivasagar Municipality Board, has been working continuously for the last 20 years and now she gets Rs 13000 a month as wages for her works such as cleaning, sweeping the streets, and maintaining cleaniliness of the public spaces. On International Women’s Day on Saturday, Anjali, along with her 30 other co-workers, were on duty as usual, unaware of the changes of fortunes for the women of the world around inspired by growing awareness of their rights and privileges in the male-dominated societies. While talking to this correspondent, Anjali said that they have been woefully deprived of the facilities given to all other categories of people to date. They do not get any protective gear for their hazardous work. They waged protests and demonstrations at different times, but their salaries did not go up. There is no job security either, she said.    But, she said, they are hopeful of better wages from this government very soon as she has come to know that their jobs will be brought under the master roll system with a minimum monthly wage of Rs 18 thousand. On being asked about other provisions, she said that the Municipality Board has not given them anything other than a health check-up. The quarters in Melachakar are very old and rickety, and they repaired their quarters, spending their hard-earned money.

Our Nagaon Correspondent adds: Under the National AYUSH Mission, Assam, Arogya Care Foundation organised a special programme on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2025 at the Yoga & Wellness Center, Homeopathy Medical College and Hospital on Saturday.

Dr Korobee Hazarika, district nodal officer, AYUSH, graced the event as the chief guest and delivered an inspiring speech on women’s health and well-being. He emphasised the importance of yoga and holistic wellness in leading a healthy and active life.

The event was led by Yoga instructors Bishnu Rai Rajbongshi and Payel Debnath, A group yoga demonstration was also performed by the participating women, showcasing their dedication to fitness and well-being.

A distinguished panel of guests attended the event, including Dr Deep Kr Medhi, principal of SJN Medical College; Manoj Kr Deka, vice Principal; Dr Utpal Bordoloi, Hospital in-charge; and senior faculty Dr Sanjib Sharma.

Over 30 participants, including aged women, actively took part in the programme. The event successfully highlighted the role of yoga and Ayurveda in empowering women to lead a balanced and disease-free life.

Our Dhubri Correspondent adds: Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankardeva Viswavidyalaya Dhubri campus at Doomardah observed International Women’s Day with great enthusiasm. The event, attended by teachers, students, and staff, was centered around this year’s theme: “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment.”
The program was moderated by Marina Mehjabin, assistant professor, department of Political Science. Pramthesh Bayan, Kolaguru of Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankardeva Viswavidyalaya Dhubri unit, led a discussion on the significance of the theme and the need for gender equality in all spheres of life.
A series of speeches followed, with Tapsee Majumdar and Indrajit Shil, associate professor Swarnali Mandal, and Priyanka Bhagwati addressing the audience on women’s rights, empowerment, and the evolving role of women in society.
As a highlight of the event, a play titled “A Story of Women” was performed under the supervision of Professor Swarnali Mandal. The play, enacted by students of the department of education—Riya Pal, Arifa Sultana Rahman, Priyanka Saha, Adhipati Sarkar, and Prasenjit Roy—beautifully depicted the struggles and triumphs of women in society.
Our Jorhat Correspondent adds: The College of Community Science, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat celebrated International Women’s Day with enthusiasm and with the spirit of empowering women

The keynote speaker, Neelima Saikia, popularly known as Malini, delivered an inspiring address. She spoke about the integral role of women in family and community development, covering aspects such as housekeeping, economics, politics, financial management, and nutrition, even in the absence of formal education. She stressed that women are responsible thinkers and decision-makers who should stay informed about various government schemes and opportunities for empowerment.
Malini also paid tribute to remarkable women in science and community development, including Marie Curie, Nadine Gordimer, and Lise Meitner, highlighting their groundbreaking contributions in literature and Science. She encouraged women to step forward and embrace challenges, particularly in the field of science. Additionally, she referenced the Ramayana and Mahabharata, discussing how these epics shaped societal values and the role of women within them.

Bijoylaxmi Bhuyan, associate professor, department of family resource management and consumer sciences welcomed the gathering and set the tone for the event, appreciating the achievements of women across different sectors.
The event began with warm wishes from the Dean, Faculty of Community Science, Dr Mamoni Das who highlighted the significance of the day in acknowledging the invaluable contributions of women in various fields. She emphasised the need for gender equality and encouraged women to continue breaking barriers and striving for excellence.

Our Nagaon Correspondent adds: On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Sati Radhika Mahila Tirtha, a sister organisation of Asom Satra Mahasabha, celebrated the day with great enthusiasm at the Gopal Dev Temple premises located at Fauzdaripatty in Nagaon town on Saturday here.

The programme, which aimed to promote women’s empowerment and upliftment, was attended by over a hundred women from various parts of the district. The event began with the hoisting of the flag by the organisation’s president, Nirada Mahanta and the programme was mentored by Dipali Mahanta, secretary of Sati Radhika Mahila Tirtha.

The women participants shared their thoughts on women’s empowerment and upliftment, highlighting the importance of education, health, and economic independence. The event also featured cultural programmes, including traditional Assamese songs, Diha naam, Satriya dances, and games.

As part of the celebration, a poetry recitation session was also held, where 10 selected poets recited their original poems on the theme “Women and Poetry”.

The organization also felicitated noted social worker and mother figure, Kamala Goswami.

The annual magazine of Sati Radhika Mahila Tirtha, “Shantijan”, was also ceremonially released by noted writer Anjali Mahanta. The cultural programme was initiated with lighting of 10 earthen lamps to mark the organisation’s 10th anniversary by retired teacher and social worker, Urmila Devi.

The event was attended by women from all walks of life, who came together to celebrate the spirit of womanhood and promote women’s empowerment.

Our Kokrajhar Correspondent adds: The International Women’s Day was celebrated with befitting programme scheduled across the districts of Bodoland Territorial Region on Saturday.

In Kokrajhar, the women cell of UPPL party celebrated the day at the Gandhi Maidan in Gossaigaon with a day-long programme.

As part of the programme, UPPL women cell president Pratibha Brahma hoisted the flag on the occasion followed by homage to the martyrs.

A rally was also carried out to mark the celebration where several thousand women participated in Gossaigaon town.

Pramod Boro, the chief executive member of Bodoland Territorial Region graced the occasion as special guest.

Tinat Atifa Masood, imminent social activist graced the occasion as chief guest.

Boro, extended his warm greetings to all citizens, especially the women fraternity on the occasion referred the day as special day for the women community across the globe and stated that the government of BTR has been dedicated in ensuring women’s rights, representation, and empowerment.

“It was a delightful moment to be part of the International Women’s Day celebrations in Gossaigaon today. Our Government of BTR is dedicated to ensuring women’s rights, representation, and empowerment. Our various initiatives stand as a testament to this commitment, ensuring that ‘Equality in Action in BTR’ is not just a theme but a reality,” Boro said.

Lok Sabha MP, Joyanta Basumatary, UPPL general secretary, Raju Kumar Narzary,and several women leader dignataries were also present in the event.

Our Biswanath Chariali Correspondent adds: On the occasion of International Women’s Day, a week-long programme was organised in Biswanath College by Women Cell, Biswanath College Teachers’ Unit in collaboration with IQAC, Biswanath College from March 3 to March 8.

 The week-long programme was held under Fit India Mission as per guidelines of UGC and on the theme “for ALL Women and Girls: Rights, Equality and Empowerment”. The specific theme of the programme was “Stronger her and Healthier future” that covered areas like Physical Education, Women’s health, Yoga, nutrition and mental wellbeing of women. The programme started on March 3 with the inaugural lecture delivered by Ankur Pathak , district sports officer while the welcome address was given by Dr Chinta Mani Sharma , Principal, Biswanath College. While delivering her speech Dimpi Khanikar, Lecturer, Chatia Normal School, as an Invited Speaker dwelt at length on the need of physical education and yoga for health and mental wellbeing of women. Biplab Bhattacharyaa, another resource person conducted a session on food and nutrition. The inaugural session was compered by Dr Nabanita Sarmah, Secretary Women Cell BCTU Biswanath College while it was chaired Bandana Gogoi, President, Women Cell, Biswanath College Teachers’ Unit. Several sessions on meditations and yoga were conducted in which students from different departments of Biswanath College took active participation.

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