Mamata Banerjee's Women Empowerment Drive: Trinamool's Statewide Campaign from April 1 to May 15

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, March 26, 2025, Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the state’s first woman Chief Minister and a relentless advocate of women’s rights, continues her commitment to women empowerment through various flagship schemes such as 'Lakshmi Bhandar,' 'Kanyashree,' and 'Rupashree.' To further this initiative, the Trinamool Congress has launched a comprehensive outreach program that will run for one and a half months, from April 1 to May 15.

On Wednesday, a meeting was held at Trinamool Bhavan under the leadership of Mahila Trinamool Congress State President Chandrima Bhattacharya. The meeting was attended by presidents of 35 organizational districts of Trinamool and key leaders of the state committee. Chandrima Bhattacharya announced a series of programs aimed at strengthening the party's connection with women across the state. These initiatives include ‘Anchale Aanchal,’ ‘Tomar Thikaan Parvadhi Nishana,’ ‘Raktabandhan,’ ‘Eso He Baishakh,’ and ‘Shankha Yatra.’

The ‘Anchale Aanchal’ program, a major component of this initiative, will be conducted across 345 rural blocks, 127 municipalities, and Kolkata. A total of 1,000 meetings will be held, including one in each block and municipality, eight in North Kolkata’s 60 wards, and twelve in South Kolkata’s 84 wards. Women will engage in interactive discussions in circle meetings to address key issues and highlight the government’s welfare schemes.

Under the ‘Tomar Thikaan Parvadhi Nishana’ program, leaflets conveying the message ‘Didi with women, by women’ will be distributed at the booth level. At least 250 households per booth will receive these leaflets, delivered by Women’s Trinamool Congress leaders and workers, ensuring widespread outreach.

The ‘Eso He Baishakh’ and ‘Shankha Jatra’ programs are designed to celebrate Bengal’s cultural heritage. On the first day of Baishakh, the State Women’s Congress will organize a grand procession called ‘Shankha Jatra.’ Women from different districts will participate, showcasing Bengal’s rich cultural traditions. The procession will commence at 9:30 am from Girish Park and conclude at Jorasanko Thakurbari, with participants blowing conch shells along the way to symbolize unity and strength.

Additionally, the ‘Raktabandhan’ program will be observed on Doctors’ Day, July 1. A statewide blood donation drive will be conducted, aiming to collect 2,000 units of blood through organized camps.

Since her rise to power in 2011, Mamata Banerjee has placed significant emphasis on women’s welfare. The ‘Kanyashree’ scheme, initiated at the school level, provides financial aid for girls' education and has received UNESCO recognition. The ‘Student Credit Card’ scheme facilitates higher education, while the ‘Sabuj Saathi’ project has equipped young girls in remote areas with bicycles, enabling them to continue their studies. Other key initiatives such as ‘Rupashree’ offer financial assistance for marriage, and ‘Shasthya Saathi’ ensures that women are recognized as heads of families in healthcare schemes. The ‘Lakshmi Bhandar’ program has played a crucial role in improving financial independence for women from rural to urban areas.

Mamata Banerjee is set to present her extensive social welfare initiatives and the history of women’s struggle at the prestigious Kellogg College auditorium in Oxford. This international recognition of her efforts underscores the global significance of Bengal’s women empowerment drive. Trinamool Congress aims to bring this message to every household through its structured outreach programs, reinforcing its commitment to social progress and gender equality.