IMPHAL, March 3: Irom Chanu Sharmila, also known as Iron Lady of Manipur, who is on a 13-year-long struggle for repealing the armed forces special power act, 1958 is going to be honoured in the 39th International Women Day celebrations at Silchar.
This was stated by Angom Ramkanta, advisor to United Women Welfare Society of Assam and All Assam Manipur Women Meira Paibi Co-ordination Committee.
In a press meet at the Manipur Press Club attended by president Thengujam (O) Santana and advisor Ahongsangbam (O) Lili Devi, both hailing from Silchar, Ramakanta:“In the forthcoming 39th International Women Day, a one-day function will be organised by the All Assam Manipur Meira Paibi Co-ordination Committee of Cachar at the district library Auditorium in Silchar. Women leaders of other communities such as Rongmei Kabui, Dimasha, Hmar, Bengali, Assamese and Rajbangsi living outside Manipur will be present.”
Further mentioning that in the felicitation programme to honour Irom Chanu Sharmila on the International Women’s Day, a simple memento and shawl will be presented but they need the prior consent of Irom Sharmila to attend the programme.
“We have come down to Imphal to take her consent for the programme because we heard that she recently refused to take an award. After thoroughly discussing the organisation of the programme, we met Irom Chanu Sharmila through government officials. We met and asked her to attend the programme but she initially refused. But after half an hour, she gave her consent to accept the award but expressed regret that she won’t be able to attend the function.”
One of the family members of Sharmila or either a Sharmila Kanba Lup member will receive the award on her behalf. Sharmila handed over a written message to the organisation and a poem written in her own handwriting will be read out in the function as per her request.