National Seminar (Blended Mode) 28th – 29th April 2023
A two-day National Seminar (Blended Mode) on “Representation of Women of North East India in Multi-DisciplinaryDiscourse collaboratively organized by the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), Department of Philosophy and Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) got underway from 28th – 29th April, 2023.
The 28th day of April, commenced with a Prayer Song intoned by the College Choir invoking the blessing and guidance of the Almighty to guide, hold and make a way when we seem to be nowhere…
The lamp signifying the presence of God was lighted by the honourable Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Conrad K Sangma, the Chief guest of the day, followed by the guest of honour- Mr. Rakkam A Sangma – Education Minister of Meghalaya, the Principal of Don Bosco College – Rev. Fr. Bivan Rodrigues Mukhim SDB, Prof. Sukalpa Bhattacharjee, Dept of English, NEHU, Shillong,– the key note speaker, Dr. Wanphai Mary K. Japang – the organizing Secretary of the seminar. After lighting the lamp, the invitees were requested to take their seats at the dais.
While inaugurating the Seminar, Dr. Barbara S Sangma, the Convenor and chairperson of the Seminar in her introductory accentuated the women issues and understanding a ‘woman’.
Rev. Fr. Bivan Mukhim SDB, the principal of Don Bosco College, Tura in his welcome address accorded a warm welcome to the chief guest, guest of honour, the keynote speaker Prof. Sukalpa Bhattacharjee, special invitee Madam Somdatta Mondal, Retd. Professor, Dept of English, Visva Bharati- Shantiniketan & Visiting Professor of American Universities for several years, other guests, paper presenters and students.
Speaking on the occasion the honorable Minister of Education of Meghalaya, Shri Rakkam A Sangma, the guest of honour, stated that the potential and beauty in women is what men don’t have. He appeals to women to discover her potentialities and utilize it for the growth and development of the society and the government. He also encouraged women to emerge from the limbo of confining to households and to go beyond and delve deeper and be instrumental in bringing about a change in the society.
Prof. Sukalpa Bhattacharjee, dept of English, NEHU, Shillong in her keynote address focused on the three key words of the theme of the seminar: that is, ‘Representation’, ‘Women’ and ‘Multi-Disciplinary’. She touched upon the representation of women in North East India have been often misrepresented, so it is a high time to revisit myth and folklores as there has always been a gap in the fictional representation of women. She further added that Literature has been a very important role that provides resources to recast and revisit the myth.
Addressing the gathering during the inaugural programme, the honourable chief Minister Shri Conrad K Sangma - the chief Guest for the seminar, spoke about Maternal mortality rate as major concern to the State. Recalling how the government had come up with series of steps to bring down the high maternal mortality rates in the State. He stated that Safe Motherhood transit home and financial help for mothers were provided to curb the high mortality rate through Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA)He recounted that ambulances were provided and team of doctors were assigned to monitor every pregnant woman.
The inaugural function came to an end with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Wanphai Mary K. Japang the Organising Secretary of the Seminar proposed the vote of thanks.
The two days hectic National Seminar came to a conclusion with a Valedictory Function in the evening of 29th April, 2023.The Valedictory Programme was chaired by Dr. Meuller Beul M. Sangma, Assisant Professor, Dept. of Education, Don Bosco College, Tura. The PrincipalRev. Fr. Bivan Mukhim Rodriques addressed the gathering and warmly welcomed The Chief Guest, Shri. Jagdish Chelani, IAS, Hon’ble Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Tura, Meghalaya with a Garo stole and a memento. The Guest of Honour,Prof. Sujata Gurudev Campus I/C, North-Eastern Hill University, Tura Campus, Tura was felicitated with a Garo stole and memento. The report of the seminar was shared by Abhimanyu Sharma, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Education. While reading the report, he stated that on the 1st day there were 10 papers during the 1st session and in the second which was online, there were 7 presenters. On the 2nd day there were7 presenters in the 1st session, 8 in the 2nd session and in the 3rd session (online) there were 11 papers. Speaking on behalf of paper presenters, Dr. Kerlihok Lyngdoh Buam, Assistant Professor,Department of History, Synod College, Shillong appreciated the hospitality, accommodation, food, and the programme etc. Mr. Marma A. Sangma, Research Scholar, Dept. of Philosophy, Assam Don Bosco University, Assam also affirmed that it was the best seminar that he ever attended. Dr. Silse D Marak, Professor Rongkhon B. Ed College, appreciated the way the programme was organised and congratulated the organisers and expressed her joy and contentment in having participated in the seminar.
Prof. Sujata Gurudev, Campus I/C North Eastern Hill University, Tura Campus, Tura speaking to the august gathering affirmed that North East is women centric, that Entrepreneurs in Meghalaya are mostly women, 80% of the workforce is women. She also pointed out that women are everywhere, women are in the armed forces and also in art and culture. She concluded her speech saying that women are life givers, they are life nurturers.
After the speech of the Guest of honour, the certificates were distributed to the chairpersons, paper presenters and the particpants.
The National Seminar participants had the pleasure of having Shri Jagdish Chelani IAS, Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Meghalaya as the Chief Guest for the Valedictory function. While addressing the assembly he spoke about diverse topics related to women. He said that Women are part of societybut in thesociety we don’t have clear ideas of law especially about POCSO. He also said that Meghalaya has the highest cases of teenage pregnancies and women high rate mortality.In Meghalaya he said there is much more gender equality than elsewhere. But that our resources are handled by the maternal uncle ‘mama’. Without the male counterpart the women cannot take decision especially with regard to the land. He also pointed out that in Meghalaya the presentation of women in politics is there but he said that it is not sufficiently presented and that People find it difficult to access education, so there is much need to done.
Rev. Fr. John Paul Tirkey,Vice Principal, Don Bosco College, Tura proposed the vote of thanks expressing his sentiments of gratitude to the Chief Guest, Guest of honour, invitees, paper presenters and participants. He also thanked the organising committee particularly the convenor and the secretary of the Organising committee for their minute and systematic planning. The silent and meticulously work of the support staff was gratefully acknowledged. Fr. John Paul expressed his gratitude to the convenors of various committees, the technical assistants, Sponsoring Agencies.
