Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are becoming successful model for empowering the disadvantaged groups of outskirt areas. Women of Lukhura Khonia village (Kakodonga) of Golaghat district too are now organized for reaping the benefits of mutual-aid groups. Women SHGs, which are producing an array of products, are displaying them on Monday at the stalls of ‘Srishtishree Fair: 2023 – A Celebration of Women with Wings’, a goodwill initiative of All & Sundry, a non profit organisation of Golaghat and UTSAHAN Foundation, Guwahati in collaboration with Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission (ASRLM). Organic vegetables, Honey, Ethnic eatables, Handloom items, Flower nurseries, Bamboo-craft items, etc. are some of the products made and highlighted through Srishtishree Fair.
Padma Shri Jadav Payeng: The Forest Man of India was the Chief Guest on the occasion, while Founder of All & Sundry NGO; Sub Divisional Agricultural Officer Krishna Ranjan Saikia; District Nodal Officer of APART Project Golaghat Ranjan Baruah; Junior Inspector/Auditor: Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Societies Alakesh Chakraborty; Block Project Manager (Kakodonga Development Block) ASRLM Ruben Indwar and Dy. PD ATMA Tapan Kr. Mahanta attended the programme as Guests of Honour. The mesmerising event started with the state song ‘O Mur Apunar Dex’. During the event, various programmes related to women empowerment were presented, besides elderly citizens cum progressive farmers of Lukhura Khonia village were felicitated with Gamocha and Cheleng Sadar by All & Sundry NGO and UTSAHAN Foundation, Guwahati. They were felicitated by the Chief Guest Padma Shri Jadav Payeng. Religious books were also gifted to them during the felicitation ceremony as a ‘Token of Love and Care’. According to the sources, All & Sundry, a non profit organisation of Golaghat along with UTSAHAN Foundation, Guwahati jointly launched the goodwill initiative titled, ‘Srishtishree Fair: A Celebration of Women with Wings.’
In his inaugural address, Padma Shri Jadav Payeng, highlighted the achievements of women in diverse fields of life. He emphasized on women empowerment so that they get economic independence and thus can create a world of growth and economic opportunities for both men and women. His Holiness’ Dr. Pitambar Deva Goswami, Satradhikar of Sri Sri Auniati Satra also joined the event via teleconferencing mode. His Holiness’ Dr. Pitambar Deva Goswami appreciates the thoughtful initiative of All & Sundry NGO and UTSAHAN Foundation. His Holiness Dr. Pitambar Deva Goswami stated – “By strengthening women self-help groups, rural poverty can be eradicated easily and overall development of village economy can be achieved. SHG movement can check migration from rural areas caused due to poverty and unemployment”. This was followed by an impressive talk by the Sub Divisional Agricultural Officer Krishna Ranjan Saikia on “How Women are doing the Heavy-Lifting in Agriculture”. The gatherings were also made aware on PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and Indian Post Payment Bank Account by the Assistant Chemist (AGMARK) cum District Nodal Officer of APART Project Ranjan Baruah. Junior Inspector/Auditor: Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Societies: Alakesh Chakraborty briefed on “Role of Co-Operatives in Empowering Rural Women.” Block Project Manager (Kakodonga Development Block) ASRLM Ruben Indwar delievered a talk on the topic – “Empowerment of Women through Self Help Groups”. After the interactive session, Padma Shri Jadav Payeng, Dignitaries and Invitees visited stalls put up by the women members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) of Kakodonga’s Lukhura Khonia village and interacted with them. Padma Shri Jadav Payeng listened to the stories of struggle of many of these unsung heroes. Women, spoke about how they felt more independent after joining these self-help groups and reach a wider market through government schemes. For some of the women, these businesses have become the primary source of income as they have become the sole breadwinners for their families. Later, The Forest Man of India planted a tree sapling in the presence of other dignitaries, Invitees, Representatives of Lukhura Khond Samaj Kalyan Sangha and locals of Kakodonga region to mark the ocassion of ‘Srishtishree Fair: 2023 – A Celebration of Women with Wings.’ Around 500 people witnessed the 4 hours event, stated a press release.
