Skip to content Skip to navigation

Zamira Begum Rahman Memorial Lecture held

The First Zamira Begum Rahman Memorial Lecture on the topic “Women Empowerment and Society” was delivered by Sarmistha Das, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Tezpur University at a rural school, Kabilabad HE School in Tezpur recently. The lecture was attended by over 250 students of classes eight to ten including the teachers of the school.

Sarmistha Das, who has been teaching Sociology at Tezpur University for the past six years delved into different aspects of women empowerment with vivid experiences from her own life. She recalled her mother’s advice, “Whatever you do in life, you should always have a choice in hand. And that is possible only if you educate yourself and know what is right and what is wrong.” She said that her mother gave her the freedom to do whatever she wanted and that empowered her. Das spoke about Malala Yousufzai who got the Nobel Prize for Peace. Malala overcame such social pressures to pave the way not only for her own education but for other girls like her as well. In that sense, she is extraordinary. She said that many girls drop out of school for various reasons like lack of toilets or early marriage.

Das also emphasised on the role of men for the empowerment of women. She emphasised that women empowerment is not a women-centric issue. A society can progress only if a man and a woman walk hand in hand. She urged the children to read books and watch good films. It is important to have a dream and create a stature for oneself so that a woman is heard at all levels.
The memorial programme was conducted by Nayama Ahmed, Assistant Jailor, Tezpur Central Jail. Ahmed reiterated that women empowerment is a process where we try to discover ourselves. She said, “The mother is the pivot of the family. If she is educated, she can take the right decisions which includes political and economic decisions.”

Nazia Sultana, Television journalist and social activist introduced Late Zamira Begum Rahman to the students. Late Rahman was an educationist who was born on Dec 10, 1946 in Shillong. After completing her BA (Hons) in Education from St. Mary's College, Shillong in 1965, she did her BT from Gauhati University in 1967 from the Post-Graduate Training College, Shillong. She started her teaching career at Laitmukhurah Shishu Vidyalaya from 1965 to 1970 and then taught at Loreto Convent, Shillong from 1970 to 1972. Then she joined Sumer High School, Meghalaya as the Headmistress in 1973 where she had worked for 12 years. Later, she shifted to Guwahati and joined CTPS High School, Chandrapur, Assam.

“She loved children. She is still remembered for her kindness. That is why we thought that the best setting for a commemorative lecture in her memory would be a rural school,” said Teresa Rehman, her daughter who is a journalist.

The introductory speech and the vote of thanks were delivered by Mahmuda Aman Haque and Joyshree Chakravarty, two students of the school who are also the office bearers of Kanaklata Girls’ Club in their school. A one-minute silence was observed to pay tribute to Late Rahman. The Principal of the School, T Khan who chaired the session urged the students to overcome myths and obstacles and learn to be strong citizens and help in taking the nation forward.

Rupjyoti Gogoi, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Tezpur University also spoke on the occasion. Gogoi said that she too was not born with a silver spoon in her mouth and studied in a similar government school. She said, “She said that a mere colourful degree will not make you empowered. We have to attain knowledge and wisdom and grow as good human beings and share our enlightenment with the world. We should come out of the orbit of being somebody’s wife, mother and daughter. It is important to carve a niche for yourself by nurturing your strengths and talents. One’s identity is one’s ornament.” The programme ended with the rendering of “O Mur Apunar Dex”, the state anthem of Assam.

Author info

Abdul Gani's picture

Add new comment

Random Stories

Refined oil worth Rs. 7.7 lakh seized

19 Mar 2009 - 5:05pm | Dibya J Borthakur
Police personnels of Jagiroad Police station led by Dhaniram Bora, Officer in-charge of the said station seized 1,200 cans of stolen refined oil from a Silchar bound truck bearing registration...

Milk production training for poor women

15 Oct 2010 - 1:01am | DigantaTalukdar
Jana Kalyan Sanstha, a social organization of Dhupguri in Nagaon district has recently started training on milk production under the Diary Project (STEP - Support to Training and Employment Programme...

AASU team meets CM in Delhi

25 Apr 2017 - 5:22pm | AT News
An AASU delegation net chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday in New Delhi a day before the tripartite talks on the implementation of the Assam Accord. Sonowal, who has been camping in the...

SC notice to NE states

14 Feb 2014 - 3:46pm | AT News
The Supreme Court has directed the eight north eastern states to formulate common rules to deal with the cases of racial attack outside the region.Hearing a public interest litigation on Friday, a...

Other Contents by Author

Assam businessman Habib Chowdhury who has been made the chairman of ASEAN India Business Council for Lao PDR said that he is planning to organize developmental works in his home state.  “I feel honored and proud on receiving the chairmanship of ASEAN India Business Council for Lao PDR. My sincere thanks to the ASEAN India Business Council for giving me this honour. Now, I can plan something related to investment and business in my home state Assam. If we can arrange an AIBC meeting in Assam, it will be a great help for the region,” Habib Chowdhury said.  He said that they had series of meetings in New Delhi and Kuala Lumpur in the last several days regarding the business deals...
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal extended gratitude to lakhs of pilgrims for coming to Kamakhya Peeth from all over the country and abroad and making the Ambubachi Mela, ‘one of the greatest religious congregations’ a success.  Paying obeisance to the Shakti Shrine after the temple was opened on Sunday, Sonowal also extended his accolade to all organisations, agencies and personalities directly and indirectly involved in making the Ambubachi Mela a smooth affair. In a statement here this morning Chief Minister Sonowal said, “Assam is known for its hospitality and rich tradition of according highest respect to pilgrims and visitors since ages and this year’s Ambubachi Mela was not an...
Laos PDR Ambassador to India Southam Sakonhninhorm and Indian Ambassador to Laso Ravi Shankar Aisola who met Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal during their visit to Assam, have expressed hope of a bright future between Laos and India especially Assam. “We have a very fruitful meeting with chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal. He was very kind to listen to us,” said Sakonhninhorm. He said that it was the people to people connectivity which will eventually have a better relation between the two countries. Sakonhninhorm also advocated for enhance of cultural exchange and tourism and business. “We need to go ahead step by step with very concrete developments,” Sakonhinhrm added. Terming...
The Combined Competitive (Preliminary) Examination 2015 conducted by Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) will be held on January 3, 2016 (Sunday), said a press release. The status of the applications has already been uploaded in the official website www.apsc.nic.in. Candidates should check it before downloading the ‘e-Admission Certificate’. The ‘e-Admission Certificate’ are available in the APSC website www.apsc.nic.in and www.apsconline.gov.in. In order to download the ‘e-Admission Certificate’, candidates need to visit the aforesaid website and click ‘Download Admit’. After clicking the link, the system will ask for the ‘Registration Number’ and ‘Date of Birth’. After answering...
The Assam State Election Commission vide a Notification issued on Wednesday has imposed model code of conduct in connection with the second election to the Tiwa Autonomous Council which is going to be held on August 19, 2015. The Commission has notified schedule for preparation and publication of constituency wise Electoral Roll to the Tiwa Autonomous Council.As per the schedule, the last date of filing nominations is July 29, 2015 between 11 am to 3 pm. The nomination papers will be scrutinized on July 30, 2015 up to 3 pm and on the same day the list of validly nominated candidates will be declared. Last date for withdrawal of candidature is August 1, 2015 up to 3 pm. On the same day...
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi impressed upon the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to restore 90:10 fund pattern for the North Eastern States and put the Region into Special Category Status.   Delivering at the meeting of the Union Home Minister with the Chief Ministers of North Eastern States, Chief Minister Gogoi said that the development of the Region will be expedited if the Centre restores the Special Category Status for the North Eastern States. Gogoi said peace of the region is intrinsically associated with the development and without the Special Category Status and restoration of 90:10 fund pattern for the centrally sponsored schemes development of the Region is not possible...
Amnesty International India came down heavily on Union home minister for failing to take up AFSPA issue during his two days visit to Guwahati.In a statement on Sunday, the human rights body said that despite scope Singh never took up the issue that rattles the entire region at regular intervals.Worryingly, there was no discussion on the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, which is in force in several north-eastern states, and continues to enable violations of constitutional rights and freedoms, the statement reads.The organization further urged the government to urgently address concerns of impunity for alleged human rights violations by removing the requirement under the AFSPA for...
 Assam Governor PB Acharya has summoned a session of the Assam Assembly from August 10, 2015, Monday, from 9 am at the Assembly Chamber at Dispur. 
Manipur filmmaker Haobam Paban Kumar’s ‘Phum shang’ (Floating Life) has been adjudged as ‘Best Long Documentary Award’ during the eighth edition of the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala which concluded recently. The festival, organized by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy for the Department of Cultural Affairs of Kerala government is regarded as one of the most serious festivals for documentaries in India. Irom Maipak, the cinematographer of the film was selected for the ‘Navroz Contractor Award for the Best Cinematographer’ in the festival. The documentary narrates the tale of the displaced fishermen at Loktak lake in Manipur.  “This is one of...
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has vowed to take stern action against the erring doctors for the matter of non-fulfilment of the commitments made by Post Graduate doctors prior to their admission in the medical colleges of the state. As per the Assam Medical Colleges (Regulations of Admission into PG Course) 2006, a doctor after completion of his/her PG course has to serve under State Government for a minimum period of 10 years in any State Government service in the Health and Allied Sector including NHM. In case of any breach of terms and conditions, defaulting doctors are liable to pay an amount of Rs 20 lakh as compensation to the Government of Assam on account of the...