International Women’s Day was commemorated across Manipur with a series of impactful initiatives organized by Assam Rifles, highlighting women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship, and community welfare.
At Pallel Garrison, a Women’s Day Conclave 2026 was held under the theme “Empowering Women through Entrepreneurship—Ignite, Innovate, Lead.” The conclave brought together accomplished women entrepreneurs, local participants, and families of the Assam Rifles, with nearly 200 women attending, informed IGAR(S) in a press release.
The event featured four distinguished speakers whose journeys exemplified resilience and success. Padma Shri awardee Moirangthem Muktamani Devi, founder of Mukta Shoes, shared her inspiring story of building a small initiative into an enterprise reaching international markets while training over 2000 artisans. Aishwarya Vikram Nadhe, author of Manipur Diaries, spoke about her transition from IT engineer to writer, emphasizing creativity and cultural appreciation. Jina Khumujam, a grassroots herbal entrepreneur, narrated how she established her brand “Mangal” from humble beginnings and continues to train widows and local women. Catherine Soyamphi AS, CEO of Soyam Food Products, recounted her entrepreneurial journey during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on sustainable food processing and supporting farmers.
Alongside the conclave, awareness programs on women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship were conducted at Modi and Moreh, while friendly games for local women at Moreh added vibrancy to the celebrations. In Tengnoupal and Chandel districts, solar lights were distributed to women residents of Yangoubung and Sontong villages, benefitting households and enhancing safety and education in remote border areas, it conveyed.
Assam Rifles also commemorated International Women’s Day with a series of meaningful initiatives at Longa Koireng and COB Thoubal, highlighting the importance of women’s empowerment and strengthening civil-military relations.
At Longa Koireng, the program focused on encouraging greater participation of women in social and community development. A session was conducted emphasizing education, self-reliance, and equal opportunities as pathways to empowerment. The discussion highlighted the vital role women play in strengthening families and communities while inspiring participants to pursue leadership and economic independence. The event witnessed active engagement from 96 individuals, including 78 women, 6 men, and 12 children, who appreciated the initiative as a step towards positive change.
At COB Thoubal, Assam Rifles organized an interaction with members of Meira Paibi from nearby villages. The event honored the strength and resilience of women while fostering dialogue on social harmony and collective efforts towards peace and development. The interaction reflected mutual trust and cooperation, reinforcing the bond between the community and the force, it said.
