Participants, along with Mokokchung Municipal Council councillors and Nagaland State Cooperative Bank officials, at the International Women’s Day celebration held at the MMC conference hall, Mokokchung, on March 8. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Mokokchung | March 8
The Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC), in collaboration with Nagaland State Cooperative Bank (NStCB), organised an event to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) under the theme “Accelerate Action.” The event, held at the MMC conference hall, featured a seminar on “Investing to Transform,” focusing on economic empowerment and gender equality.
The programme commenced with a keynote address by Lanuakum, Deputy Chairperson of MMC. In his speech, Lanuakum emphasised the importance of celebrating women's achievements and inspiring further progress.
While acknowledging global gender disparities, he highlighted the relatively equitable social structure within Naga society. “Many studies suggest it could take nearly 2,000 years to achieve gender equality worldwide, but I am proud that Naga society does not reflect such inequalities,” he remarked. He underscored the vital role women play as the architects of society, shaping families and communities, and called for collective action to further gender equality.
The seminar featured three guest speakers who provided insights on financial opportunities and self-sufficiency for women.
Dr Temjenmenla, District Horticulture Officer, Mokokchung, spoke on the importance of proactive action in achieving gender equality. She shared various investment opportunities in horticulture, including vegetable cultivation, nursery management, floriculture, vermicomposting, mushroom cultivation, and food processing. She highlighted how these ventures require minimal physical labor yet offer significant financial returns. She also stressed the availability of government schemes to support women entrepreneurs, urging participants to seize these opportunities and contribute to economic growth.
Imtiyapang, Councillor and Board of Director, NStCB, emphasized the crucial role women play in Mokokchung’s economy. “Ninety percent of small businesses and street vendors are women, making them the backbone of our local economy,” he stated. He also provided an overview of the Nagaland State Cooperative Bank, established in 1966, which is the second-largest bank with 23 branches across Nagaland. He assured attendees that NStCB remains committed to women’s empowerment, providing hassle-free financial services.
Temsulepden Imchen, Branch Manager, NStCB Mokokchung, highlighted three significant financial schemes that can benefit women entrepreneurs: Small Entrepreneurs General Credit Card (GCC) – Provides loans of up to Rs. 50,000 for small registered businesses; Joint Liability Group (JLG) Scheme – Allows groups of at least four members to avail loans up to Rs. 2.2 lakhs for two years and Chief Minister’s Micro Finance Initiative (CMMFI) – Supports entrepreneurs, farmers, and small businesses with accessible financial assistance.
Other highlights of the event was the handing over of loan forms to beneficiaries and the programme concluded with a discussion hour, allowing participants to seek clarifications and explore investment opportunities.
