Know the Story of ‘Inwoda,’ Kangpokpi’s International Women’s Day Child

On a quiet morning seven years ago in the hill district of Kangpokpi in Manipur, the birth of a baby girl was meant to be just another moment in a small family’s life. Instead, it would grow into a powerful story of hope, transformation, and the enduring message of the value of every girl child.

When Lalboi Dimngel and Vahneo Dimngel of Vengthah Ward No.3 in Kangpokpi District Headqaurters welcomed their third daughter into the world on March 8, 2019—coinciding with International Women’s Day—their hearts were weighed down with disappointment rather than celebration as they had a long hoped for a son, though they still loved baby girl.

The couple already had two daughters. In a society where many families still feel the pressure to have a son, the birth of yet another girl left them feeling discouraged and uncertain about the future.

What could have remained a quiet moment of sadness, however, soon turned into a story of compassion and inspiration.

Two close family friends—a journalist and a police officer—visited the couple soon after the birth. Seeing the parents’ distress, they chose not only to comfort them but also to remind them of the significance of the day on which their daughter had been born.

To uplift their spirits and give the child a name filled with meaning, the two friends created a unique name drawn directly from the global celebration taking place that day.

They named the newborn “Inwoda.”

The name was formed from the words International Women’s Day:
“In” for International, “Wo” for Women’s, and “Da” for Day.

What began as a gesture of encouragement soon became something far greater—a symbol of pride for the girl child and a reminder that every daughter deserves to be celebrated.

This not only encouraged the couple but many other parents who were blessed only with daughters in the town.

The story caught the attention of the district administration in Kangpokpi. Recognizing the powerful message behind the child’s birth and name, the administration under the then Deputy Commissioner Lalithambigai K decided to highlight the moment as part of its campaign to promote respect and dignity for girls.

On March 8, 2020, during the district’s official International Women’s Day celebrations, the administration organized a special event to mark Inwoda’s first birthday. Surrounded by officials, community leaders, and citizens, the young child became the heart of the celebration—her story used to emphasize the importance of valuing daughters and empowering women.

For a moment, a small child from the hills of Manipur carried a message that resonated far beyond her family: that every girl’s birth is a blessing, not a burden.

Today, in 2026, Inwoda has turned seven years old and in Standard II.

She is a healthy, cheerful child growing up in her hometown, unaware perhaps of how her birth once sparked conversations about gender equality and the worth of every daughter.

Yet, as years passed, the story that once inspired many slowly faded from public attention. The little girl who symbolized hope during a celebration of women’s empowerment gradually slipped from the spotlight of the administration and the nation.

But the meaning of her story remains as powerful as ever.

In a world still grappling with gender discrimination and the devaluation of girls, the journey of a child named after International Women’s Day continues to remind us of a simple truth: sometimes the most powerful symbols are born quietly, in the humblest of homes.

Seven years ago, a disappointed family welcomed their third daughter. Today, that daughter stands as a living reminder that every girl carries the potential to inspire change.

Her name is Inwoda—and her story is far from over.