02 May 2023
Women Development Centre launched the first child-friendly space
at the solapara slum on 05th June
“Women Development Centre, Joypur, Kharghuli has launched the first Child-Friendly Space at the Solapara slum on 05th June 2022. The program is graced by the Chief Guest, Smt. Pretty Lekha Deka ACS (Deputy Secretary to the Govt of Assam / Member Secretary Assam State Commission for Women) and three guests of honor, Smt. Antara Gogoi ACS, (Joint Director. Directorate of Sports and Youth Welfare Govt of Assam), Shri Pradeep Basfor (President, All Assam Slum Association) & Dr. Jeuti Barooah (Former Director of Law Research Institute Eastern Region, Guwahati High Court).
A Child-Friendly Space (CFS) is a very significant intervention in promoting the “Best Interest of the Children” for children in the urban slums. CFS provides protective space for children in urban slums. In CFS, Children can participate in activities designed for their well-being. CFS is meant to give a joyful experience to children, both boys & girls, through play way methods, such as games, painting, singing, dancing and also learning their syllabus of the class study.
Today, 5th June, is World Environment Day. Children & their families will symbolically plant trees in their home-stead environment & grow these plants meaningfully as their commitment to care for the environment.
During these events, Sr. Betsy Devasia (Director of WDC) said that “We should create an environment in CFS that focuses only on the best interest of the children”.
Smt. Antara Gogoi stated that “CFS should be inclusive and non-discriminatory”.
Dr. Jeuti Barooah mentioned that “The project AGRAGATI will play a vital role not just for the children but for the women and youth of the slums, but it requires cooperation from slum people”.
The Chief Guest Dr. Preety Lekha Deka has stated that “CFS protects children by providing a safe space with supervised activities”.
The Children of the Slum put up a very enjoyable cultural program and program.
The national handloom day is observed by the artisans of the Gorchiga traditional handloom cluster. To commemorate the Artisans’ hard work in their looms Women Development Centre (WDC) the Implementing Agency (IA) of Gorchiga Traditional Handloom Cluster under the Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) celebrated the National Handloom Day at Kathalguri & Gelahati village in Nowboicha Block in the district of North Lakhimpur with guidance from Export Promotion Council of Handicraft (EPCH) on dated 7th August 2022.
The aim was to create awareness about handlooms & recognize the weavers’ community for their contribution to their families, locality & India’s socio-economic development was highlighted by Ms. Bhagyawati Bhuyan the Project Director of WDC, Guwahati. She also explained saying it ensures sustainable development of the handloom sector and empowers handloom workers financially and carries pride in their exquisite craftsmanship & Handloom is the second-largest source of employment for people in getting more income. Lastly, she encouraged the women and said the mind can weave itself warmly in the cocoon of its thoughts, and dwell a hermit anywhere in the Handlooms that’s the beauty of Artisans.
Products were displayed during the celebration which they were producing in the clusters. To honor the weavers on the day occasion WDC also distributed solar lamps to 72 artisans for their contribution.
ORIENTATION SESSION ON THE VIRTUAL TRADE FAIR PLATFORM
For 51st IHGF DELHI FAIR VIRTUAL 2022 from (19 – 23 MAY 2022)
Shri Chandrajit Pegu the Cluster Development Executive (CDE) welcomed the gathering. A total of 72 weavers participated in the day’s celebration in two program venues in the working shed under the project. The day came to an end with a word of gratitude by Sanju Singh the project Coordinator of WDC.
A two-day virtual orientation program was organized by the Export Promotion Council of Handicrafts (EPCH) for the participants going to exhibit their products at the 51st Virtual IHGF 2022, Delhi. Golden Fingers Farmer Producer Company Ltd. which is the brainchild of Women Development Centre; Guwahati, is one of the participating members represented by Mrs. Bhagyawati Bhuyan on behalf of Sister Betsy, the director of the company.
Mrs. Bhagyawati attended the orientation program at the IHGF Delhi Fair on the 7th and 10th of May 2022. Shri Siddharth Tyagi, Assistant Director, and Smti Amla Shrivastav, Head Designer, Shri. Bhaskar Baruah, the Program Officer (NER), and Mr. Ritesh, all from EPCH, were the resource persons who explained about the virtual trade show, and usually realistic-looking halls, and lobbies with booths for showcasing products and services. They also briefed the rules and the procedure of attendees to view demos, pick up literature and chat with sales representatives during the virtual fare in real-time. During the IHGF, Asia’s largest gifts and handicrafts fair, keynote speeches and seminars on how to grab the delivered on-demand by clicking video cast, and webcast technologies will be given.
On behalf of Golden Fingers Farmer Producer Company Ltd, we thank and appreciate the EPCH team for organizing the orientation programs which gave us opportunities to learn about virtual online technologies. Your patience is second to none! We had so much trouble with some of the difficult parts of technology, yet you stood by us and had faith that we’d get there in the end.
Sr. Betsy Devasia,
Province of Guwahati