Women are society’s strength: Governor
GANGTOK, : The State-level International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration was held at Saramsa Garden, near Ranipool on Saturday with Governor Om Prakash Mathur and Chief Minister P.S. Golay in attendance, along with Cabinet ministers and other dignitaries.
Organised by Sikkim Inspires, State Planning and Development department, in collaboration with World Health Organisation (WHO), the event was themed “For all Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”
Governor Om Prakash Mathur highlighted the role of women in the development and the future of the nation. “In the Ramayana and Mahabharata, women play an important role as mothers. Women’s strength is depicted by women like Mira Bai and Jhansi Ki Rani. There are many women who have played an important role in shaping education in the nation. Women are the society’s strength, as women are no less than men in any field. In Sikkim too, women have made Sikkim proud at the national and international levels,” he said.
The Governor also briefed on the different women-related schemes and policies of the Centre and State governments.
Chief Minister PS Golay highlighted the various women-centric schemes and policies of the State government. Urging men and women to support women, he expressed that women and men are equal.
“We are born because of our mothers. The State government respects mothers and women and that is the main reason that most of the government schemes and policies are named after women and mothers. Some include the Aama Yojana, Bahini Yojana, Aama Sahyog Yojana, etc. The Aama Yojana is dedicated to our mothers, especially from the BPL category and are in need of immediate relief. Thirty-two thousand mothers receive Rs. 40,000 each from the State government yearly, under the Aama Yojana. Under the Bahini Yojana, free sanitary napkins are provided in government schools across Sikkim. The Aama Sahyog yojana provides Rs. 4400 or four LPG cylinders yearly to beneficiaries. The recent ‘Aama Ko Godh’ facility was inaugurated in Siliguri,” he said.
The Chief Minister further highlighted the ‘Mero Rukh, Mero Santati’ scheme where 108 trees are planted for every child born in Sikkim. The State government also provides a fixed deposit of Rs. 10800 for 18 years for the new born child, under the scheme.
Golay further briefed on job reservations for women, widow pension schemes, maternity leave for up to a year, etc. He also expressed concerns on the declining fertility rate in Sikkim.
“The State government will also come up with a policy for single mothers in future, as we want to support single mothers of Sikkim. Women are examples to many and as SLA Deputy Speaker and organising committee president Raj Kumari Thapa rightly said in her welcome address, ‘kokro hallawney haath le sansar hallawcha’. If a woman is empowered then the society is also empowered,” said Golay.
He also expressed pride in regularising the ASHA and Aganwadi workers under ICDS in Sikkim.
“Sikkim is the only State to regularise ASHA and Aganwadi workers. This will be implemented soon, and I urged the concerned department to work aptly, for the benefit of women. The process should be done within a month by the concerned department, as the State government works on the guidelines of the notification issued by the State government. The departments should not break rules, but rather work for the people”.
He also informed that the next SHG Bharosa Sammelan will be organised in Gangtok or Pakyong district soon.
During the celebration, Kalawati Subba, first woman speaker of Sikkim Legislative Assembly; Rinzing Ongmu, first woman Cabinet minister; Rinchen Ongmu Bhutia, first woman chief secretary; along with women achievers and 11 women secretaries of different State government departments were felicitated. Gifts were also presented to special women.
On the occasion, the Governor and the Chief Minister virtually inaugurated the Reproductive Medicine Unit at STNM Hospital, Sochaygang. This new facility represents a significant advancement in healthcare services, to improve reproductive health and address infertility issues in the region. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) includes medical procedures used primarily to address infertility.
The special cover issued by India Post was also released by the dignitaries. Logos, jerseys, aprons and chef hats of ‘Didi Bahini ko Bhansa Ghar’ were also launched.
The celebration also featured cultural presentations by women and organisations from different districts. The evening programme included performances by Nepalese singer Melina Rai and local artistes from Sikkim.