Agartala, October 14: In a significant move to enhance women’s participation in the political sphere, Congress youth leaders and AICC Observer Mamtaj Begam announced the launch of the Indira Fellowship Program during a press conference at Congress Bhavan.
The initiative, named in honor of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, aims to empower women and provide them with a platform to make a lasting impact in their communities.
Flanked by Tripura Pradesh Congress president Asish Kumar Saha and Mahila Congress state president Sarbani Ghosh, Begam, national coordinator of the Indira Fellowship Program, highlighted the Indian National Congress’s longstanding commitment to gender equality in governance.
“The Congress has consistently worked to encourage and empower women in various aspects of governance, ensuring greater participation in political representation and decision-making processes,” she stated.
Begam emphasized that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is deeply invested in increasing women’s involvement in politics and nation-building.
She said that Rahul Gandhi has urged women to join this revolution called Shakti Abhiyan.
The Indira Fellowship is a significant component of this campaign, designed around the principles of ‘haq’ (rights), ‘hissedari’ (participation), and ‘pehchan’ (identity).
In detailing the fellowship’s progress, she revealed that in just one year, more than 300 Fellows have established 4,300 Shakti Clubs with an impressive 31,000 members across 28 states and 350 blocks nationwide. These clubs serve as the focal point for organizing and advancing the objectives of the Shakti Abhiyan.
“The prime goal is to ensure that women receive a 50% share in resources, opportunities, and power structures,” Begam asserted. “Through this initiative, we aim to create equal spaces for building women’s interest in politics and decision-making, encouraging representation ‘of women by women’ at all levels of governance—local bodies, legislative assemblies, and parliament.”
She also addressed the current socio-political climate, stating, “The desires and aspirations of women can never be rightfully represented in a divided and polarized society. The Shakti Abhiyan campaign urges women to organize themselves against hate and violence.”
Begam called on women to act as change-makers to reverse the public discourse filled with hate and violent political appeals.
Concluding her remarks, Begam affirmed the Congress’s determination to build a constructive society with women at the center. “At Shakti Abhiyan, we are committed to playing an instrumental role in shaping a more inclusive and equitable future,” she said.
