The 12 from 12



A devoted foodie with keen interest in wild life, music,…
EastIndiaStory is not just a magazine it is a story from Eastern India. So this yearend we bring you stories of 12 incredible women from the 12 states of Eastern India.
By Somashis Gupta and TEAM EIS
I called and said “Hello Sid, what plans for new year” He rhymed back “Nothing as such, why not cheer?” “Good idea lets cheer the twelve” I replied. “Twelve? Yes let’s talk about ourselves” he said. “You mean the twelve states?”
“Yes the eastern greats”. And what followed is this ….
We sing the Auld Lang Syne again
As 2022 is about to begin
We spoke, but not too many
There are many more eastern story
Some stories are never told
But surely they are pure gold
So here are some from the shelve
Our hall of fame of twelve
1
She wrote the book ‘The Black Hill’
She lives her life at her own will
Left her job to start a new career
To pursue her passion for literature
‘The Hidden Land’ and ‘Mount Everest’
And many such writings, better than the best
Arunachal Pradesh is where she lives
A charming lady with high grace
Was awarded the Padma Shri
Mamang Dai may you always live free
2
Next in line is a lady from Nagaland
Who was brave enough to take a stand
Against the rulers and the militants
Spoke about the people and their irritants
In Nagaland Times she started her career
Where she wrote ‘The State of Affair’
She, for her excellent contribution
Was awarded The “Outstanding Women Media Person”
Monalisa Changkija is her name
May she live always with great fame
3
The Iron lady, that is what is she
Given human rights a new destiny
Stood for people across the 7 state
Fought with love without a hate
They feared her, so she was shamelessly arrested
Without a ground, but hardly she was affected
She fought for her cause fearlessly
Which got recognized from International Amnesty
Irom Chanu Sharmila, is her name
She is from Manipur, and she remains The Un-Tame
4
Next we bow down to the person
Whose work is full of passion
Was a Director with the government
Of Mizoram, and after her retirement
Worked for betterment of women’s life
By giving rights to ‘The Mizo Wife’
She was recognized to a great degree
When she was awarded the Padmashree
Sangkhumi Bualchhuak she is called
Her ideals will live never get auld
5
Next we have in our list
This girl from gymnastic
Sports is her passion
Which took her to high distinction
Represented the country
And won some great victory
Fetched her the Arjuna award
Which was one of her biggest reward
She skill is an enigma
She is Kalpana Debnath from Tripura
6
The one we have next
Is a worrier at her best
Another name for bravery
Gives no chance for recovery
To the antisocial and criminal
Hunts and sends them to their funeral
Assam is where she is from
Wearing her police uniform
Sanjukata Parasar is her name
And fighting is her game
7
She makes us proud
From the land of cloud
Encouraging women’s rights
Gender discrimination is what she fights
Her words makes strong sense
Which are for women’s defense
Her contributions in the society
Fetched her the award Padmashree
Theilin Phanbuh is from Meghalaya
So this is for her, our Kumabaya
8
The great soul we talk about now
Her work makes us say ‘wow’
She works for people in need
Giving them a new life indeed
HDFS is what she formed
Also a member of PWAG the renowned
Padmashree, Real hero award and many more
She received them for her work so pure
Keepu Tsering Lepcha is from Sikkim
We show our respect through this poem
9
If you visit Mithila rail station, you will be stunned
With the amazing art in the walls all around
Showing the traditional art of Madhubani
Not just an art but also a story
Forgotten mostly by the country
Was erased from present and left in history
The rail station was nasty, was once
No longer now, no way by no chance
Revived by Manisha Jha and her team
So this lady from Bihar is in our hall of fame
10
Next we have a musical performer
Who is a singer, and a composer
Her songs keep playing in your ears
Releases us from anxiety and fears
An engineering graduate and a MBA
She lives her life in her own way
A blend of rock, blues and traditional tunes
She enchants us from the musical communes
Belongs to Odissa, the land of Chaitee Ghonda
She is none other than Sona Mohapatra
11
Gudkayan Dahoto is a play
Made by her to display
Witchcraft is a vicious superstition
She finally succeeded in her mission
When terming ‘dayan’ is made illegal
A decision which was critical
Saving innocent women from lynching
This is her story and her fighting
Meet Poonam Toppo from Jharkhand
We bow to her for her work profound
12
Business and a Bengali? That to a woman
Bit of a oxymoron , that what is often spoken
Breaking that notion is our next person
Who changed this perception with her occupation
Started elanstreet.com an ecommerce platform
Where brands and styling professionals gets one platform
An entrepreneur of today
Styling the world of this day
Meet Gargi Banerjee Kaul
The young entrepreneur from Bengal
The ones we missed out
Unintentionally, no doubt
We shall sing for them
As more will come often
From the twelve of the east
We shall bring them to you as a fest
That is our resolution
As our little contribution
What's Your Reaction?

A devoted foodie with keen interest in wild life, music, cinema and travel Somashis has evolved over time . Being an enthusiastic reader he has recently started making occasional contribution to write-ups.
Great great job Somashish!!!