TCN News:
“Her New World” a project for both rural and urban women of Assam was launched on 15th of October by Shaheen Academy. The women are being trained to produce and market indigenous products in general and the “Kantha” (a rug made of cloth) in particular. The aim of the project is to develop the skills of the women on one hand and give them financial independence on the other. Shaheen academy is an institute that helps girls from rural areas to prepare for competitive examinations, in Guwahati. A large number of women have enrolled for training under this programme.
Anwar Hussain Laskar, MLA, Hailakandi, who is supporting the implementation of the project at Shaheen Academy, made a symbolic presentation of a hamper containing thread, needle, and other ingredients to the students to mark the formal launch of the programme. He said, “I am personally very fond of Kantha and all this time I was buying the item from outside. I am sure that the girls at Shaheen Academy will produce the best Kanthas in the coming days and we will not have to depend on outsiders to buy this product.”
Nasima Parveen Aman, the founder of the “Her New World” project, informed the audience that Kantha making is an indigenous art, more than just an art, it’s a heritage of the region. That is why, it is very important for us to preserve and promote this art. She added, “I am confident that if our people buy these Kanthas to be gifted on birthdays and festivals, instead of buying commercially produced items from the malls, not only this art will survive and flourish but also help the empowerment of the women in our society.”
The Stars of North East, a talent promotion platform, is promoting the project. Siddharth Pratim Dutta, Abu Zakaria, and Neyajuddin Ahmed represented the Stars platform on the occasion.
Coinciding with the birthday of former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, which is celebrated as the “World Students Day”, a befitting programme was also organised by the students of Shaheen Academy on the occasion. The inaugural program of ‘Her world’ also had other activities by the students such as extempore speech, song, and recitation competitions conducted by Sultana Begum Laskar, Student Captain of Shaheen Academy. The day’s programme ended with the concluding speech delivered by Sultan Uddin Ahmed, Principal Shaheen Academy.
