Bendangsenla wins President’s award for meritorious service

Kohima, Jan. 31: Amidst chaos and confusion going on in the State at the moment, welcoming news has surfaced which will make all the Nagas proud.

Assistant Officer Superintendent of Prison (Headquarter), T Bendangsenla’s name has been approved for award of the ‘President’s Correctional Service Medal for Meritorious Service’ on the occasion of Republic Day 2017.

This was informed through a press note released by the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi. Bendangsenla was also a recipient of the Governor’s Gold Medal on occasion of Republic Day 2017 announced by the Government of Nagaland.

Through her commendable and meritorious services for 17 years, her award has brought pride and laurels to the State and to the womenfolk in particular. And for the first time, an officer from the Prison department of the State has made it to the list of the prestigious award.

It is worth mentioning that the Prison department has taken up various reformatory and rehabilitation measures for inmates including wide ranging projects for the welfare of the prisoners under the initiative and direction of Rupin Sharma, Director General of Prison, Nagaland.

Expressing happiness and congratulating Bendangsenla, Rupin Sharma said this award is very encouraging and a motivating factor for the other staff to continue to do good things. He said it is also a matter of great pride and honour for the State none was nominated from other departments for the awards.

Sharma in a press note said T Bendangsenla, apart from the usual duties, has actively contributed to nurture the ideas regarding reforms of prisoners in jails within Nagaland. She was instrumental in imparting trainings and being the demonstrator for short term skills inside the jails.

For the welfare of the prisoners in Nagaland, she has been spearheading the projects by coordinating with the NGOs, churches and organisations whereby many civil organisations within Kohima are a part of the reformatory project.

Talking to Eastern Mirror, Bendangsenla, expressing immense pride, shared this joy with all the ranks and files of prison department.

A single mother of two daughters and a son, Bendangsenla humbly said during her 17 years of service, she could execute her assigned duties successfully with the full support and cooperation of the ‘four pillars’ in her life namely her late husband and three children.

Dedicating the award to them, she was grateful to God for the wisdom, caliber and good health bestowed on her all these years.

She proudly said she never had a day passed neglecting her works, while at the same she also shared the challenges faced as a working woman trying to balance her home, profession and social obligations.

Not forgetting to mention her senior officer, Bendangsenla expressed her gratitude to Director General of Prisons, Rupin Sharma, and IG Prison, Kedi Angami for recognising her potentials, State government and Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI.