Guwahati, February 26: The 1st Barak Valley Women’s Conclave-2022 was held successfully here today which is an initiative of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) and ERD Foundation Guwahati and was jointly organized by KNB Women’s College Badarpur and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Adarsha Mahavidyalaya with the support of Vision 50 Academy.
The ERDF Women Achiever’s Award-2022 and ERDF Excellence Award-2022 were also conferred in the Conclave to some illustrious women from the region in recognition of their outstanding achievement and immense contribution to society, according to a Press Communique issued here from ERD Foundation.
The Conclave has been organized with a vision to encourage women of Barak Valley for educational uplift with its theme “Empowering Women of Barak Valley through Education: Prospects and Challenges”. It was addressed by several distinguished women, including Dr Faiza Abbasi, Director, UGC-Human Resource Development Centre, AMU, Aligarh; Dr Shahin Ara Begum, Professor, Assam University Silchar; Dr Shivangi Tandon, Advanced Centre for Women’s Studies, AMU, Aligarh; Dr Gayatree Goswami, Dean, PQH School of Education, USTM, apart from Shri Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of USTM and Chairman of ERDF.
Addressing the Conclave, Dr Faiza Abbasi said that education is an integral part of every individual’s life but when girls are educated, countries become stronger and prosperous. Regarding the current Hijab controversy she stated, “It is a baseless controversy. Don’t let anyone else tell you what to wear and don’t just let tradition govern you. It is very important to go ahead with time and absolutely important to be educated.” Speaking on the occasion, Dr Shivangi Tandon said that men and women folk have to go hand in hand so that the success of each other can be handled and dealt in properly.
Earlier, welcoming the guest speakers and all the participants, Shri Mahbubul Hoque said, “Employment opportunities is shrinking nowadays and as Barak Valley is somewhat isolated from Assam, opportunities for employment is too less here. Women here face very many difficulties regarding educational and economic progression and they must be empowered through education.”
The Conclave was attended by a cross section of women including professors, teachers, doctors, lawyers, social workers and others. Awards were conferred upon several successful women from different disciplines in the Conclave as a mark of honour and recognition. ERDF Women Achiever’s Award-2022 was conferred upon four women achievers: Ms Seetalakshmi Ragavachary Kannan for her immense contribution to society in the field of cancer care in Barak Valley, Dr. Mandira Nandi, Professor and eminent social worker from Karimganj, Dr Suparna Paul, Deputy Superintendent, Community Health Center, Srigouri and Ms Maria Tanim, APSC Topper-2016.
ERDF Excellence Award-2022 was given to three girl students who despite studying from a remote area, excelled in academic performance. The awardees were, Ms. Samima Begom, Choudhury, 1st position and Gold Medalist both in BA (Bengali Hons.) 2019 and MA(Bengali) 2021, Assam University, Silchar; Ms. Shamima Hasan Laskar, 2nd position in BA (Bengali Hons.) 2019, Assam University, Silchar; Ms. Fahmida Jasmine, 2nd Position in BA (Political Science Hons.) 2020, Assam University, Silchar. All three are alumnus of KNB Women’s College, Badarpur.
The participants, mostly women, interacted with the distinguished speakers in an open interactive session. The Conclave ended with the vote of thanks delivered by Dr Shahin Ara Begum, Professor, Assam University, Silchar.
