Intertiol Women's Day observed in city

Nirupama Borgohain worried over the rising unpleasant incidents relating to drugs and atrocities on women

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, March 8: The slogan – Just Say No – was an advertising campaign in the US’ war on drugs during 1980s and early 1990s. However, in Assam Padmashree Chandraprabha Saikiani, leading light in the movement of women emancipation, had raised her voice against the use of drugs when she was in her teens some 50 years before the West. She, however, failed to coin any slogan like the West. On the World Women’s Day today, litterateur Nirupama Borgohain expressed concern over the rising unpleasant incidents relating to drugs and atrocities on women.

It is worth mentioning here that writer Borgohain’s novel Abhiyatri, which is based on the life and deeds of origil feminist of Assam and the entire Northeast Chandraprabha Saikiani, fetched her Sahitya Akademi Award. She was speaking at a women congregation organized today at Kumar Bhaskar tya Mandir in the city by the All India Mahila Sanskritic Sangathan (AIMSS).

Besides Borgohain, the function also felicitated educationist Dr Renu Devi and Priti Baruah who has her stake in the movement for women emancipation in Assam.

Speaking on the occasion, Renu Devi appealed to the women to come forward against oppression they are meted out with. The function was presided over by AIMSS president Chandralekha Das.

The day was also observed at Maligaon in the city by the women’s Maligaon branch of the NF Railway Mazdoor Union (NFRMU). A semir was held at the Railways’ Central Hospital at Maligaon to this effect. Speaking as the chief guest on the occasion, All India Railway Men’s Federation president Rakhal Dasgupta said: “We need to be always aware of women’s dignity.”

The Assam Provincial Bank Employees’ Association, along with its Women Council, observed the day with a social identification programme at the State Home for Women at Jalukbari. The programme was part of the year-long diamond jubilee celebration of the bank association. There were cultural programmes. The inmates of the Home were given clothes, bed sheets, wall clocks, mirrors etc.