The North East region is witnessing speedy growth after Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government assumed power at the Centre. Earlier, extremism was a big threat and women of the NE Region were the worst sufferers. Tripura Government has initiated several steps to empower women and women are participating in decision making. Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma said on Sunday.

Dev Varma was speaking at the State level programme for Tripura under the North East Festival as part of Azadi Ka Arnrit Mahotsav (AKAM) in Agartala today. Apart from Dev Varma, MoS for Social Justice and Empowerment Pratima Bhowmik and other dignitaries spoke on the theme ‘Role of Women in development of North East’.

Speaking on the occasion, Dev Varma highlighted State Government’s initiatives for women empowerment including 33% reservation for women in Government jobs, encouraging women SHGs with incentives and other policies.

Pratima Bhowmik, taking part in the discussion said, empowered women can make a family, panchayat, State and Nation empowered. She asserted Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working for the development and empowerment of women as well as for protection of their rights.

Referring to implementation of different schemes like Ujjala Yojana, water supply connection for the welfare of women, Bhowmik said 50 percent of the schemes aim at empowering women.

The week long programme being celebrated by all North Eastern (NE) States started at Guwahati on April 26 last and will be concluded on May 4. President of India Ramnath Kovind will attended the valedictory programme scheduled to be held in Guwahati.

The programme in Agartala was jointly organized by the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM), R.D department and department of Social Welfare and Social Education (SW & SE) Govt. of Tripura under the aegis of the Ministry of DoNER and North Eastern Council, Government of India.

Among others, Santana Chakma Minister for Social Welfare and Social Education, Govt of Tripura, Air Marshal Anjan Kumar Gogoi, Member NEC, Jitendra Kumar Sinha, Principal Secretary, Rural Development Department, Government of Tripura were also present.

The dignitaries highlighted and hailed the women reservation policy adopted by the Government of Tripura as well as steps for 3% interest subvention for girl students getting admitted to institutes of National importance, 50% of earmarking of funds for women entrepreneurs in the Venture Capital Fund of State Govt., to encourage women start-ups through collateral free loans, a super-specialty 100 bedded Mother and Child unit would be setup in the Agartala Government Medical College etc.

The programme mainly focused on recognition of women who have significantly contributed in socio-economic development of North East India.

A total of 19 (nineteen) women achievers from North Eastern states have been awarded including three women achievers of Tripura – writer Kairai Mog, Gymnasts Ashmita Paul and Priyanka Bhowmik.

One achiever from each of the states also shared their encouraging journey as to how they are contributing and making impact on the society which was enlightening and encouraging for other women of the country.

Besides, around 56 (fifty six) women were given award of appreciation for their significant contribution for overall development of State and Society.

Apart from this Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission also released a book containing 50 success stories of rural women – Self Help Group members, who are contributing towards building the rural economy of the State and improved their economic condition.