Dimapur, Oct 20 (MExN): Education being the cornerstone of women empowerment, Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio today called upon the women folks to ‘come out of the kitchen and join the mainstream’ to bring about a change in the society.
“Education is important for everyone, but it is especially significant for girls and women which is not only an entry point to other opportunities, but also because the educational achievements of women can have ripple effects within the family and across generations” said Rio. He was inaugurating Pranabananda Women’s College Library at the college campus.
Rio also urged the gathering to change ‘the mindset of mediocrity’ into excellence in this competitive and knowledge-revolution world. Lamenting that the habit of reading is decreasing due to advancement in science and technology, the Chief Minister said “earlier people studied to improve themselves but today people study to impress others.” He reminded the students that education is the passport to success and that education comes through books, which is the documentation of the past in which the best minds have put their thoughts. Rio said that empowerment of women is possible by educating them. “Knowledge is power, knowledge is freedom” said Rio adding that if women are educated they will have a future.
Rio also informed that Nagaland Women Commission Bill 2006 which was passed during the twelfth session of the 10th Assembly, Kohima is under process and will be completed very soon. The commission will look into the problems faced by the women and will fight for it. He also appreciated the tremendous contribution of women to the Naga society which, he said was ‘even better than boys.’’ The chief minister also assured the college’s authority that the government will look into all the problems of the college and to help in whatever way possible.
