Northeast Girls, Here’s Someone To Talk To

Guwahati, Sep 25 : The North East Girl Students’ Association today launched a counselling centre for women.

The centre aims to guide girl students in their career-related issues and give suggestions to tackle their personal problems.

Rekibuddin Ahmed, parliamentary secretary of the education department, today formally launched the centre in the association’s head office at Chenikuthi and also inaugurated its official website.

The association formally came into existence on January 28, 1998, at the first North East Girl Students’ Conference held at Handique Girls College.

The formation of the association saw the emergence of a girl students’ force, which was determined to fight against secessionist and anti-national activities and worked wholeheartedly for the restoration of peace and harmony in the region.

Since its formation, the members of the association have carried out its mission relentlessly to create awareness among public about the various evils of society and mobilise the association to build up a healthy and violence-free society.

Any girl above the age of 14 years is eligible to become a member and the membership forms are available on the association’s website.

“We have observed that many students do not have much idea about pursuing the career they want. Many girls face personal problems, which they cannot share with their family members and friends, but look for suggestions to tackle them. We have set up the counselling centre to help them. We will keep experts to counsel the girls. They can call up for assistance at 9435143235 or visit our office personally,” Munmi Dutta, president of the association, said.

She said the state was in need of a similar counselling centre for long. “There are instances of girls committing suicide, as they are unable to get a solution for their personal problems.” said.

Ahmed said the state education department would try their best to help the association in continuing the counselling centre. “Various departments of the education department will help the centre. Besides, we will also offer financial assistance.”

He conveyed his best wishes to the association, and was hopeful that they would cover the entire Northeast and more girl students would join the organisation.

Talking to the reporters, Ahmed said, “Chief minister Tarun Gogoi is also thinking of granting a plot of land to the association to enable it to continue with its activities smoothly.”

Earlier, the association had submitted a memorandum to Gogoi urging him to grand a plot of land to set up its permanent office. At present, the organisation is being run from a rented house.