Gangtok, March 12 (IPR): The National Commission for Women celebrated International Women’s Day, North Eastern Region organised by Sikkim State Commission for Women at Chintan Bhawan, today.
The programme was attended by Chairperson, National Commission of Women, Ms Rekha Sharma, Ms Chungkipu Lepcha, Chairperson Sikkim State Commission for Women, Ms Claudia Lyngwa, Deputy Inspector General of Meghalaya Police, Ms Tithi Debbarman , Musician from Tripura, Ms Tashi Choden, Entrepreneur from Sikkim, Dr Theyiesinuo Keditsu, social worker and social entrepreneur from Nagaland and Ms Rinchen Wangmo Yolmo, entrepreneur from Darjeeling, students from different educational institutes and officials from Sikkim State Commission for Women.
Ms Rekha Sharma, Chairperson, National Commission for Women, stressed on the importance of educating a girl child. She urged the youth to talk about their achievements which will in turn inspire others. She stated “every girl should have her life in her own hands” and stressed on the importance of “speaking up.”
Ms Chungkipu Lepcha, Chairperson, Sikkim State Commission for Women, in her address highlighted the the importance of the slogan “Tu Bol” and thanked the Chief Minister of Sikkim for the elevated status of women in the state. She also spoke about the work of Sikkim State Commission for Women which was set up in 2001. She highlighted the importance of the schemes provided by the Prime Minister which the State Government has implemented successfully, thereby leading to progress and development in the state.
The programme also featured address by inspirational women speakers from all over the North Eastern region of India.
Mrs Claudia Lyngwa, Deputy Inspector General, Meghalaya Police spoke about her journey from Assistant Commandant to training the 1st Batch of the Indian Reserve Battalion. She spoke about being a part of more than 300 counter insurgencies and her work which has led her to win gallantry medals from both the Central and State governments. She urged the students present to empower themselves by not standing behind and stated that women are just as strong- if not stronger than men.
During her address, Ms Tithi Debbarman provided detailed insights into the concept of women of substance. Additionally, she elaborated on her musical journey, shedding light on the challenges she encountered along the way. Moreover, she addressed the societal role of women, stressing the significance of education and the value of extracurricular pursuits. Ms Debbarman emphasised the collective responsibility we all share in advancing the status of women, advocating for collaborative efforts towards gender equality and empowerment.
During her presentation, Ms Tashi Choden, founder, Sikkim Coffee, shared insights into the journey of establishing the brand within the state. She elaborated on the challenges encountered while setting up the brand, emphasising the importance of perseverance and dedication in overcoming obstacles along the path to success.
Furthermore, Ms Choden highlighted the achievements of Sikkim Coffee as a prominent brand, reflecting on the milestones attained through dedication and hard work to continuous learning and improvement within the industry.
During her address, Dr Theyiesinuo Keditsu, delved into the realm of fashion with a focus on cultural attire. She emphasised the importance of leveraging technology to promote and preserve cultural attire, emphasising that traditional clothing holds significant cultural significance. Dr Keditsu elaborated on the idea of reshaping the narrative surrounding traditional fashion, advocating for a deeper appreciation and understanding of indigenous attire. She underscored the ability of cultural clothing to convey rich stories and traditions, emphasising the importance of preserving and promoting them in a rapidly changing world.
In her address, Rinchen Wangmo Yolmo, baker from Darjeeling, spoke about the importance of promoting self-reliance as part of the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat initiative. She expressed gratitude to the organisers for the platform provided and elaborated on the significance of embracing failure as a stepping stone towards success. Furthermore, she shared insights from her baking journey, emphasizing the challenges faced and lessons learned along the way. Additionally, she highlighted her achievements, aiming to inspire students and aspiring entrepreneurs to embark on their own entrepreneurial journey.
The session also featured interactive discussions.
Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by Ms M Lilabati, Senior Coordinator, National Commission for Women while the vote of thanks was delivered by Ms Yousa Lachenpa Member Secretary, Sikkim State Commission for Women.