Top police officials and academicians urge students to challenge patriarchal norms and utilize portals like ‘She-Box’ for personal security.
Emphasizing the urgent need for a safe, equitable society, the Women’s Development Cell under the IQAC of Lala Rural College hosted a robust International Women’s Day celebration at the campus’s Adi Shankar Hall.
Presiding over the event, College Principal Dr. Himabrata Chakraborty underscored that building a prosperous and just society is contingent upon the equal participation of both genders. He lauded women for their growing footprint across education, culture, and administration, urging the community to guarantee them equal respect and opportunities so they can realize their true potential as unique individuals.
The gathering heavily featured perspectives from law enforcement, focusing on actionable safety measures. Cachar District DIG (South Range) Jayashree Kherasa educated the audience on personal and official security, specifically spotlighting “She-Box”—a dedicated online portal for women to file safety and justice-related complaints. Echoing this focus on protection, Lala Police Station Officer-in-Charge Devānanda Das, attending as a special guest, raised alarms over escalating crimes against women. He stressed that heightened public awareness is critical to combating deep-rooted societal malpractices like the dowry system and child marriage.
Taking a critical look at socio-cultural norms, Dr. Sumita Ghosh, former Head of the Bengali Department at Cachar College, traced the history of Women’s Day while evaluating its modern relevance. She argued that despite progress, women frequently remain victims of a subjugated mindset. Noting that patriarchal mentalities hinder the self-realization of both men and women, Dr. Ghosh asserted that true equality will only materialize when women are entirely free from patriarchal dominance and the male gaze.
The program, which commenced at 1:00 PM with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony and a welcome address by Women’s Development Cell Convener and English Assistant Professor Anamika Kherasa, was anchored throughout by Bengali Assistant Professor Dr. Lakshmi Nath.
The insightful session concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by the Economics Department’s newly appointed Assistant Professor, Ritamargya De. He extended his gratitude to the invited dignitaries, the Principal, the participating student body, and the faculty members from both the Arts and Commerce departments who helped make the event a success.