Rangpo – The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) government on Sunday marked the inaugural Aama Samman Diwas by honouring 210 women for their longstanding contributions to community welfare across the state. The event, held at Rangpo Playground, also saw the launch of the Nari Adalat, a community-based justice forum aimed at empowering women and promoting gender equity.

Organized by the Department of Women, Child, Senior Citizens, and Divyangjan Welfare, the celebration coincided with the SKM’s Jan Unmukti Diwas, commemorating Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang’s release from prison in 2018. Addressing the gathering, Tamang said the initiative was a tribute to the “silent strength” of women who serve in essential roles often without recognition.

“These mothers are the backbone of our communities. From hospitals to schools, from village roads to public offices, they serve with dedication, often without public recognition. Today, Sikkim salutes them,” Tamang said.

The honourees included 15 hospital Safai Mitras from STNM and district hospitals, 30 Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), 30 Anganwadi workers, 30 members of self-help groups, 15 municipal Safai Mitras, 30 panchayat representatives, 30 Public Works Department staff, and 30 mid-day meal cooks. Each category featured five representatives from each of Sikkim’s six districts.

In a parallel initiative, the state government inaugurated the Nari Adalat, envisioned as a grassroots platform for women to resolve disputes and seek justice in a supportive, informal setting. The forum is designed to handle minor conflicts such as family disagreements, domestic issues, and community disputes, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.

Chief Minister Tamang described the Nari Adalat as a milestone in Sikkim’s journey toward gender justice. “This initiative empowers women to address issues that affect them directly, without having to rely solely on formal legal systems,” he said.

The event was attended by ministers, MLAs, senior officials, and thousands of women from across the state, including the Chief Minister’s mother, Dhan Maya Tamang. The celebration also included the distribution of financial assistance and water flasks to over 32,000 mothers under the Sikkim Aama Sasaktikaran Yojana.