United Nations Population Development Commission’s 57th Session
PIB
(Edited by IH News Desk)
AGARTALA, April 28, 2024:Supriya Das Dutta, Sabhadhipati of Sepahijala Zilla Parishad, will attend the 57th session of the United Nations Commission on Population Development at the UN Headquarters in New York from April 29. She will represent India alongside two other Indian women - Kunuku Hema Kumari, Gram Pradhan (Sarpanch) of Pekeru Gram Panchayat in Andhra Pradesh and Neeru Yadav, Gram Pradhan (Sarpanch) of Lambi Ahir Gram Panchayat in Rajasthan.
They were nominated by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India, according to Prasun Dey, Additional Director of the State Panchayat Department. Dey also noted that Dutta is a natural leader who has worked to change societal attitudes towards women and create a more women-friendly Panchayat.
In an interview before her departure for New Delhi Sunday, she stated that she plans to discuss issues such as women's empowerment, gender inequality, and the role and impact of women in the country's development process. She emphasized that since being elected as a representative in the Panchayati Raj system in 2019, she has prioritized these issues.
Dutta believes that India can only achieve excellence if rural women are economically self-sufficient and established. She stated that both the central and state governments are working towards this goal, and plans are being implemented at the grassroots level to meet the basic needs of rural communities in areas such as housing, water, health, education, and communication infrastructure.
The Panchayati Raj system has also provided ample opportunities for women to become self-sufficient. In Sepahijala district, Dutta mentioned that self-help groups are being formed among women with the goal of achieving 100% household coverage and promoting economic self-sufficiency.
She believes that women must also take advantage of emerging opportunities. Supriya Das Dutta, the daughter of Shital Das, a day laborer from Laxmibeel, Bishalgarh, grew up in poverty but managed to pass her secondary examination with first division marks. In 2005, she married Uttam Dutta, a small trader from Champamura in Bishalgarh who deals in electric equipment.
With the support and encouragement of her in-laws, Dutta went on to obtain a D-Pharma degree from Bengaluru. She acknowledges that it is not easy for a married woman to pursue higher education and also serve as an elected representative.
She is grateful to her husband and in-laws for being understanding and supportive. She believes that if all in-laws were like hers, domestic violence would not be an issue in society.
The moral education she received from her father and in-laws has inspired her to serve the public. Dutta's son Udayan is currently in 9th grade, but she is unable to spend much time with him due to her responsibilities as a district council member.
While this sometimes pains her, she has no regrets in life. When asked about her feelings about representing the country at such a prestigious international session, she expressed her pride and gratitude for the opportunity.
Her family, in-laws, and village are also proud of her achievement, and many people have come to her house to congratulate her.
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