International Women's Day celebrated in Assam

Haflong: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Dima Hasao, Assam celebrated International Women's Day with the theme 'Leadership in agriculture: Entrepreneurship, Equity and Empowerment', on Monday.

The programme started with a welcome speech by Parkey Gogoi (SMS, Horticulture), which was followed by a webcast from ICAR Headquarter on women leadership. Also, a presentation on 'Entrepreneurship development through agriculture and allied activities' was given by Rashmita Saikia (Senior Scientist & Head, i/c) and another on 'Role of Women in Aquaculture Aspects' was given by Kabin Medhi (SMS, Fisheries Science).

In the programme, Kimneihoi Lhovum was awarded with the Women's Day Award 2021 for her contribution in aquaculture and Nibila Jidung was awarded the same for being a successful women entrepreneur. A total of 42 participants from different parts of the district were present in the programme. Seed distribution of some Kharif vegetables was also done amongst the farm women.

MANGALDAI: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Darrang, synchronizing with the worldwide celebration of International Women's Day, organized a day-long awareness camp at village Saikiapara near here with the theme 'We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievements'.

A good number of village women, irrespective of their age group, joined the celebration. Inaugurating the function, Head of KVK, Darrang, Dr. Abdul Hafiz appealed to the women to come forward to accept the challenges before them so that they can stand on their own feet. "The scientists and the officials of KVK are always with the country women to make them self-sufficient by adopting the latest technologies in agriculture. Every village woman in Assam is traditionally a farmer, a weaver and a homemaker. It is the need of the hour that our rural women should sell their traditional products like delicacies, food and cloth materials by adopting a marketing policy," he added in his welcome speech.

Homemaker-turned-baker Subhalakhsmi Kataki of 'D JONAKs' took part in the function as a resource person and offered important and vital tips on bakery and confectionery to village women who can take up bakery and confectionery as their means of livelihood. In her one-hour long session in the function, she also closely interacted with the participating village women and offered valuable suggestions in making cakes from black rice, red rice, sira and muffins from different locally available fruits.

Media persons Mayukh Goswami and Bhargab Kumar Das also took part in the International Women's Day celebration and interacted with the village women in presence of Scientist of KVK, Dr. Manoj Chouhan and Banasmita Barman and progressive and ideal farmer Habib Rahman and Jahangir Alom of Kharupetia. In the function anchored by Dhritismita Das, a AAU student participating in RAWEP-2021, the KVK Darrang offered felicitation to five promising women entrepreneurs - Geetanjali Devi, Debojani Saharia, Anima Deka, Tachida Khatun and Jasminara Begum with gamosa, certificate of appreciation and a gift. The participating AAU students in RAWEP-2021 enthralled the function with a melodious chorus.

TINSUKIA: International Women's Day was observed by various institutions across Tinsukia district on Monday by holding workshops, COVID vaccination, felicitation and exhibition.

The Tinsukia District Health Society (NHM), while prioritizing women healthcare workers and frontline workers belonging to 60 plus and 45 plus age groups with comorbid condition, carried out day-long vaccination programme. In Tinsukia district HQ, as many as 240 women were vaccinated against COVID-19 in two designated centres- Urban Health Centre and ASHA Griha - after being registered in CoWIN portal. The Tinsukia College organized a popular talk on the theme 'Women's Movement in India: Journey and the Juncture' where Dr Barun Dey of Dibrugarh University spoke as guest speaker. The programme was organized by ACTA Tinsukia zone in collaboration with the Cell for Women's Studies and Development and ACTA Tinsukia College Zone.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Tinsukia celebrated the day with great zest and enthusiasm on the theme 'Women leadership in Agriculture – Entrepreneurship, Equity and Empowerment'. Keeping in view the significance of the day, a competition-cum-exhibition was organized with participation of farm women from distant nooks and corners of Tinsukia district. Five outstanding women farmers were felicitated with a shawl and a certificate of appreciation for their contribution to the society in the field of agriculture during the pandemic of 2020. They are Konmai Gohain of Dighal Haku village, Dhan Kumari Chetri of Natun Maithong village, Rameshwari Kurmi of Tengapani Tea Estate, Suman Sah of Jyotinagar Tinsukia and Margaret Chetia from Dighal Haku village. These farm women have been instrumental in generating revenue and employment by promoting homemade food products, vermicompost and other organic farm produce.

Dr Rishi Das, former Vice-Principal of Tinsukia College, Tripti Gogoi, Senior ADO, Tinsukia, and Dr Sikha Deka, Scientist, CRS, addressed the gathering as lead speakers.