By Mayukh Goswami (PNI)

Mangaldai: “ I have come from a remote village of this district and I could remember during those childhood  days  only two public passenger transports had been running on a day . Not much changes could be witnessed even today . When we talk about this in my friends circle in Delhi or Mumbai , they all become stunt . But I never forget or hesitate to mention about  my past , my native land which I believe is one of my strong points of my long career of entrepreneurship .”, said Hemaprabha Debi , one of the leading women entrepreneur of the North East who has received several national level  recognitions and even honoured abroad at the age of early forties. She was expressing her reaction after receiving warm public felicitation at a function organized by scribes’ body Mangaldai Media Circle at Youth Club auditorium, Mangaldai on Sunday afternoon.

Thanking the organizers for giving the opportunity to interact with the people of her native place for the first time in her twenty two years of entrepreneurship career , she stated that  there may be many recognitions and honour in paces across the country or abroad , recognition by the people of the native place is always very special . “ I have received many honour and recognitions outside the State and even outside the country , however this recognition in my native place will always be special for me.” Earlier in her speech she briefly narrated her struggle and journey of her career from setting up a small shop of electronic goods to become the owner of  one public transport company and a major domestic cylinder manufacturing industry under the Indian Oil Corporation thereby generating employment for around five hundred local unemployed youths directly or indirectly . “ Our rural girls have strong potentiality to become entrepreneurs and we are some of the examples .  But everyone  in our society from parents to bankers don’t believe us . I urged upon our fathers first to show confidence on your daughters to take the path of entrepreneurship like your sons and then only others would start believing on us.” She included .

Similarly organizers also offer felicitation  two other “daughters of the soil” , Kiron Boro , winner of Mrs Universe Exquisite crown in 2017 , Durban , South Africa and a successful social entrepreneur along with young Dulumoni Kalita , the recipient of the National Entrepreneurship Award for the year 2018 sponsored by the Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship , Govt of India . Speaking on the occasion both Kiron and Dulumoni like Hemaprabha rated the recognition in their home district as more special than awards at the national or international level . “ I was eagerly waiting for this recognition in my home district even though  it is little late it is of special  significance .” , Mrs Boro shared. Recounting her journey from a remote village like Mogalbesa to the Mrs Universe beauty pageant contest in Durban , South Africa , she said that it was all about the blessings of God on me . “ Even though it was a beauty contest , it was just a name . Actually you need a more beautiful mind than a beautiful physical appearance . After the contest I was told by the organizers that I won the crown only because of  my  level of confidence and my community feeling from the core of my heart.” She maintained . She also elaborated how she has been working against bullying and torture on women through her voluntary organization namely “ Kiron Foundation” and about her daily routine of music , sports and physical exercise which keep her always fresh at the age of around fifty three years.

On the other hand the youngest among the three Dulumoni Kalita with only twenty six years of  age  explained how she had started the handi craft unit at her house in Hirapara village to produce products from water hyacinth with the help of a ‘Mudra’ loan of Rs 25,000  and within three years she has been able to doubled her property besides repaying the entire loan amount while offering employment for seven local youths . “ The thought of starting my unit came to my mind  after a weeklong training on subject  provided by NEDFi, Guwahati  and followed by another short term training on fashion designing under  RSETI , Mangaldai. In 2015 I started the unit namely ‘Moni Handi Craft’ with a Mudra loan and now the asset of my unit has gained more than double” Said Dulumoni . She also shared her experience to receive the  National Award on Entrepreneurship -2018 under Skill Development Ministry which carries a citation and a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh and attributed this success to the Director of Uco RSETI , Tarun Bora and other fellow staff .

The function anchored by senior journalist Bhargab Kr Das also witnessed felicitation to Krishna Sharma wife of Late Dulal Sharma , a forgotten hero of Assam Movement who painted the lines “Tez Dim Tel Nidio” from the blood of his chest on the street of  Chandmari ,Guwahati , while participating in the oil blockade movement during the agitation . Several local leading citizens present on the occasion  including former AASU leader Hiren Kr Saharia , veteran women activists Rani Devi and Parul Devi also spoke on the occasion .Office bearers of AGP , Darrang District Committee , Swaraj Deka and Naba Kr Deka also greeted all the four ladies with traditional ‘gamosa’