Women to play dominant role in consumer movement, Silchar

Special Correspondent

Silchar: There is talk of empowerment of women on and off at different public platforms. It is no doubt a positive development.

It is equally true that women today have come a long way to exert and assert themselves and displaying their latent talent. There is not any arena of life where they are not blazing their trait. This is how Dr Saurindra Kumar Bhattacharyya, president, Grahak Suraksha Samiti (GSS), struck the note in his brief deliberation at a seminar entitled ‘Role of women in consumer movement’ organized by GSS at Gandhi Bhawan last Friday.

To begin with the beginning, Biplob Kumar Goswami, general secretary of the Samiti, explained elaborately on the need for women to play a decisive role in consumer movement. He said in every sphere of life, they are making a distinct place of their own. They are always vocal and vehemently raise their voice against injustice and discrimination. They often hit the streets and catch the headlines of the media. Women have moved forward in their education. With all their strength of mind and body as well as wisdom and intellect, they have also to rise against the evil machination of dishonest businessmen to take away the rights and privileges of consumers.

Biplob Kumar Goswami called upon the women to stand by the consumers who get deceived. He also brought into question the role of some corrupt state officials who would think twice to be back on their game of deception and deceit if women are alert and agile. It would not take much time to bring about change in society with particular reference to the consumers and their rights. Social activist Sunanda Sinha said a woman with all her education and knowledge is of no worth if she remains confined to the four walls of her house.

Advocate Panchatapa Choudhury hit the nail right when she pointed out rising inflation affects every kitchen with which women are directly concerned. They know better and understand better when the prices of essential commodities of daily use, gas cylinders, health services, train and air fare, potable water as well as clothes and garments swing up. It pinches them hard and upsets their budget. This single factor brings into focus their imperative participation in consumer movement. When consumers are fleeced of their hard earned money, women have to come forward and protest.

Apart from that consumers can go to the court specially meant for them to get justice. Arundhati Gupta, also a social worker, favoured more and more active role of their folk to carry forward the movement of GSS in the larger and wider interests of consumers. NGO like GSS can play a positive role. Among others who also spoke included former judge of consumers’ court, Ashish Choudhury. He said consumers’ movement will remain incomplete if women are not with it. By and large, the message that has gone is ‘more and more participation of women’ to make any consumer movement successful.