International Women’s Day: Monalisa Changkija and Dr. Easterine Kire receive NSCW Excellence Award 2025
Presented during the International Women’s Day, the Nagaland State Commission for Women Excellence Award 2025 was awarded to Dr. Easterine Kire and Monalisa Changkija among others
Published on Mar 8, 2025
By Thejoto Nienu
Wangpang Konyak, Monalisa Changkija, A Alemla Chang, and
others on Saturday at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima. (EM Images)
- KOHIMA — On the
occasion of International Women’s Day, several awards were conferred on women,
honouring their distinguished work. Among them, the Nagaland State Commission
for Women (NSCW) Excellence Award 2025 was awarded to Dr. Easterine Kire and
Monalisa Changkija.
- Dr. Easterine Kire was recognised for her outstanding
contribution and achievements in the field of literature, while Monalisa
Changkija received it for outstanding contribution and achievements in the
field of journalism.
- Meanwhile, the NSCW Award 2025 went to A ALemla Chang, Changsang
Thangjam Setshang, for her commitment, leadership, and service rendered in
Nagaland.
- The awards were presented during the International Women’s
Day celebration held on Saturday at the Capital Convention Centre in Kohima.
The event was organised by the department of Social Welfare, SHEW-SANKALP,
Mission Shakti, Nagaland State Commission for Women, Nagaland State Rural
Livelihoods Mission, and Kohima Municipal Council (KMC).
- Monalisa Changkija, in her acceptance speech, said, “This
award also underscores women upholding women,” urging collective efforts to
strengthen, support, and empower women globally.
- The journalist added, “On this day, let us not only
strengthen ourselves but also re-resolve to strengthen, lift up, and uphold
each other and women across the globe to claim our personhood and help each
other script irrefutable and inerasable histories.”
- Commending the NSCW for its role in advancing women’s
rights, she acknowledged their perseverance, saying, “I would like to commend,
congratulate, and thank the NSCW for leading from the front—albeit falteringly
at times—but persisting and persevering unwaveringly always.”
- Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Changkija
reflected on the silent struggles of many women whose contributions remain
unacknowledged. “I salute all of you here and all our illustrious sisters
across Nagaland, some of whom remain unheard and unsung, nevertheless plodding
on, holding high the banner of self-realisation,” she said.
- Highlighting the persistent obstacles women face, including
imposed silence in various spheres of life, she stressed the importance of
breaking free from societal constraints.
- Changkija also noted the historic significance of her
recognition, stating that the NSCW’s honour marks the first time a member of
Nagaland’s media fraternity has been acknowledged at the state level. She said,
“If memory serves me right, this is a first in the history of Nagaland and the
state media, which began with the publication of Ao Milen and Kewhira Dielie in
1932. It is indeed a proud moment and an honour not only for me but for the
entire media fraternity of Nagaland.”
- With four decades in journalism, she described the award as
a validation of the media’s role and a motivation to keep pushing forward.
- Further, Changkija said, “This award signals that the state
media is doing something right, as it also encourages and motivates us to
evolve further and press forward.”
- Meanwhile, in the absence of Dr. Easterine Kire, her
daughter-in-law accepted the award and acknowledged God and the NSCW for the
honour while noting that the recognition came from a department dedicated to
the welfare of women.
- The special guest of the event, Advisor for Social Welfare,
Wangpang Konyak, in his speech, emphasised the significance of women's empowerment
and the progress made in gender equality.
- He reiterated the state government’s dedication to
implementing various central schemes such as the Hub for Empowerment of
Women-SANKALP, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), Palna, Shakti
Sadan, Sakhi Niwas, One Stop Centre, 181-Women Helpline, and Beti Bachao Beti
Padhao (BBBP), among others.
- “In Nagaland, women play pivotal roles in families,
communities, and the economy, yet challenges persist in access to education,
healthcare, economic opportunities, and protection from violence,” he said,
urging renewed efforts toward an inclusive society.
- He lauded the election of two women to the Nagaland
Legislative Assembly (NLA), besides citing the Urban Local Bodies, where 103
women had emerged winners, marking 37% representation against the mandatory
33%. He also congratulated Yarenjungla Longkumer for becoming the first woman
from Nagaland to be appointed additional judge of the Gauhati High Court and
novelist Easterine Kire for receiving the Sahitya Akademi Award 2024.
- Highlighting the leadership of women in the Social Welfare
Department, Konyak stated, “This itself is women’s empowerment.”
- In her keynote address, Martha R Ritse, Commissioner and
Secretary of Social Welfare, underscored India's commitment to achieving
Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality by 2030 and urged collective
action to eliminate discrimination and violence against women. Citing recent
cases of gender-based violence in Dimapur, she stressed the need for stronger
legal protections and societal change.
- Furthermore, Ritse called on men to be gender champions and
urged all to work towards an inclusive future where women and girls have equal
rights, power, and opportunities.
- SHG Women Achievers
2025
- Best SHG Group: Sangwa SHG from Changki village, Mangkolemba
RD block, Mokokchung
- Most Inspiring Job Placement under DDUGKY: A Nepe Konyak of
Monyakshu village, Tobu RD block, Mon
- Social Changemaker under Social Inclusion-Social
Development: Khrieleno Seletsu of Pfuchama village, Jakhama RD block, Kohima
- Most Successful Loan Beneficiary under Financial Inclusion:
Mira Singh of Roshini SHG, Sangtamtilla village, Dhansiripar, Dimapur
- Lakhpatti Didi under Farm Livelihoods: Yilanbeni Ezung,
Senthan SHG, Longsa village, Wokha block, Wokha
- Most Enterprising SHG Woman under Non-Farm Livelihoods:
Khetoli Awomi, Aichisaghemi village, Suruhoto RD block, Zunheboto District
