Do you know what is common between Germany’s Angela Merkel, New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern, Finland’s Sanna Marin and Norway’s Erna Solberg? They are all women head of states who exhibited phenomenal leadership at the face of Covid19 pandemic.
Not only in the political arena, women all over the world today, are proving their mettle in every walk of life. The story of Indian women is also equally brilliant and shows tremendous potential. Not only in big cities or state capitals, the stories of women empowerment in India now emerge from nondescript and remote regions as well. Take for instance, the Nalbari district of Assam. Located on the northern bank of Brahmaputra, about 60 km west of Guwahati, the district is breaking the proverbial glass ceiling by becoming the first district of Assam to be run largely by women administrative officers.
The highest administrative posts of the district are now proudly held by women who have made it to the top by sheer hard work and determination. In a delightful reality, the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, Chief Executive Officer of the Zila Parishad and all other major government positions of the district are now held by women.
The story doesn’t end there. At least two dozen other key posts including the district’s inspector of schools, food, the social welfare, and information officer are held by women. Superintendent of Police Amanjeet Kaur is already heading the district police for about a year and a half. Moreover, five Judges, four circle officers, the Sub-registrar (revenue), District School Inspector, District Social Welfare Officer, District Food Inspector, District Finance and Accounts Officer, District Labour Officer, District Information and Public Relations Officer, Sub-divisional Agriculture Officer, Soil Scientist, District Child Welfare Officer and four Child Development Project Officers of Nalbari district are all women.
According to Hrishikesh Goswami, Media Advisor to Chief Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, Assam government has always been giving due recognition to women from all walks of life. Goswami also pointed out that the administration of Assam’s four other districts is headed by women IAS officers – Varnali Deka (DC, Goalpara), MS Lakshmi Priya (DC, Bongaigaon), Roshni Aparanji Korati (DC, Jorhat) and Keerthi Jalli (DC, Cachar).
Meet one such valiant lady officer -Purabi Konwar, (ACS) – the first lady Deputy Commissioner of Nalbari district of Assam. Konwar feels extremely happy to be the first lady DC ofNalbari and to create a unique record. “I feel women are always more sincere with their work whichever department they hold and if they all work together we will soon see a better India,” enthuses the Deputy Commissioner.
Incidentally, the National Commission for Women (NCW) received 2,043 complaints of crimes committed against women in June, the number beinghighest in the last eight months. Among them, 452 complaints were solely of domestic violence committed in June alone. While the issue of women safetyin the most part of the country continues to be a burning issue, North East India proudly claims to have long achieved women empowerment which plays a pivotal role in structuring its demography.
In Nalbari District of Assam, where women rule the roost by occupying all the key posts including the head of civil administration, police and judiciary, the rise of women power sees a new high with the joining of Purabi Konwar, as Deputy Commissioner.
Crime against women
Konwar is happy that the SP of Nalbariis also a lady and plans to take serious steps to further reduce crime against women at home as well as in work places. “We will take action as per law. I think it is now mandatory for offices to have a women cell to deal with sexual harassment against women. We will make sure that the order is strictly followed.” shares Konwar.
Battling the Covid19 virus
As the Covid Pandemic continues to take its toll in Assam, the state Government and the Health Department are taking all steps to combat the deadly virus. Making the efforts more successful are the respective district administrations of Assam who have been leading the state’s fight against Covid19 from the front. With the joining of Purabi Konwar, as the first women Deputy Commissioner, Nalbari, the fight is now expected to get a new dimension.
“With people travelling to and from Guwahati which is just one and half hours away, the number of cases in the district is now increasing, I am travelling across the district, and paying visits to the hospitals to check the coronavirus treatment conditions. I am also taking a close look at the healthcare facilities in the hospitals and at the quarantine centers. Though we already have a sufficient number of quarantine centers and beds, we are adding the numbers in case there is a need to put a large number of people to quarantine,” informs lady cop.
More power to you!
