24th Chakma Mahila Samiti Day Celebrated

Kamalanagar, August 22: The Chakma Mahila Samiti (Chakma Women Association) celebrated its 23 years of its formation today at Art & Culture Hall, CADC.

The CMS was formed in the year 1991 with the objective to address women related issues of the community besides rendering social services. The Samiti takes pride in the contributions it has so far made towards the community and especially with the free medical camps it has been organizing in villages with help from BODHI, an Australia based voluntary organization.

Dangubi Mallika Chakma, founder President expressed her happiness saying that the seed they have sown 23 years ago have born fruits. She urged the women folks not to ever feel small because of their gender identity. She encouraged the use of our traditional attire which she said is our identity and always felt proud when she sees Chakma women in the midst of other community clad in their traditional attire. We should not forget to wear our headgear, light candles during devotion and offer rice to โ€˜Ma-Lokkhiโ€™, which are part and parcel of our identity, she said. Requested the Dr. B.D. Chakma, Honโ€™ble Minister to extend help for completion of the construction of the Mahila Samiti Office building. Education is the remedy for emancipation and so I have preferred to serve as a teacher my life, she said.

Dangubi Jyotsna Chakma, former President, CMS and the Chief Guest of the occasion thanked the CADC authorities for recognizing the special status of the women by declaring the CMS day a local holiday in CADC. She said, just as a pair of legs are important so are man and woman to make a society complete. Man and woman must make stride in unison to give the society a balance growth. Women lagging behind mean 50% of the society lagging behind, she said. She requested the leaders of CADC to honour the amendment introduced in the CADC CCB Rule and the Village Council Rule to reserve two seats in the Autonomous Council for the women under nominated category and one elected seat in the Village councils, respectively. Reservation of 33% of the seats in the parliament should also be replicated in the Council, she said, to politically empower the fairer sex.

Dangubi Rohita Chakma, President, CMS presented a memorandum to Dr. B. D. Chakma, Honble Minister where she stated that the absence of an office has limited the functioning of the Samiti. The Memorandum also stated that women of our society suffer from lack of exposure which has stood against our progress. She requested to facilitate for legal sanction to the Samiti to address the grievances of people approaching for their help.

Dangu Jyotir Moy Chakma, President, CYCA said our society is faced by challenges both internal and external. These can only be addressed if the fairer sex is taken forward. Early marriage of the girl child should be discouraged, he said.

Dangu Nirupam Chakma, former Minister, said the design of our traditional attire should be patented at the earliest possible. He lamented, though it was in 1972 the Council was created but till today we have not been able to bring out a news paper and he pledged to help with Rs.50,000 to bring out a paper.

Dr. B.D. Chakma, Minister, assured the Samiti of helping them with the construction of their office building. He also assured that the amendment introduced to increase the women representations in the political sphere in CADC shall not be compromised.