TNI Bureau: The Odisha Pradesh Mahila Congress concluded its two-day residential training camp near Pipili, with party leaders emphasising women’s empowerment, organisational strengthening and a large-scale mobilisation drive across the state.

The camp was held at an adventure resort near Pipili under the leadership of Pradesh Mahila Congress president Minakshi Bahinipati. The programme began with a yoga session for participants, focusing on physical and mental well-being.

Addressing the trainees on the second day, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das said the party aims to build a strong movement for women’s rights and justice in the state. He announced that 100 dedicated and capable women workers would be identified to actively participate in ongoing and future agitations, committing their time and effort to the organisation.

Bhakta Das said these women would be trained with a clear understanding of administrative systems and constitutional provisions, especially those related to women’s rights. He stressed that trained women leaders would fight for justice for neglected, oppressed and exploited women—from villages to the state capital—and would also spread awareness at the grassroots level about constitutional rights so that women can assert themselves confidently.

Highlighting the current situation of women in the state, the OPCC president said that if five lakh trained, aware and fearless women come out in protest and march to the streets and the state capital, the government would be forced to step down. He urged Mahila Congress workers to prepare for a large-scale women-led movement. Das also advised the trainees to follow the ideals of Indira Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, stating that political leaders must be self-reliant and uphold clarity, integrity and transparency in thought, emotion and character.

During the training session, social worker and noted architect Srishti Somen spoke on the organisational structure of the Mahila Congress. She proposed a plan to induct five lakh new women members annually, ensuring representation from villages to cities and from diverse backgrounds, including social workers, lawyers, teachers, environmentalists and small entrepreneurs. She outlined a grassroots expansion strategy, suggesting at least five women representatives in each village, 25 at the panchayat level, and proportional representation at block and district levels, with strong knowledge of administrative and legal processes.

PCC spokesperson and advocate Manisha Das Pattnaik delivered a detailed presentation on constitutional and legal provisions safeguarding women’s rights. She explained key articles of the Constitution, including Articles 14, 15(1), 15(3), 16, 19, 39(d), 42, 51A(e) and 300A, along with other legal safeguards and the POCSO Act. A decision was taken to provide participants with a simple booklet explaining women-centric laws for wider awareness.

Odisha Pradesh Mahila Congress in-charge Tulika Karma outlined the organisation’s future roadmap, focusing on strengthening the party structure and intensifying membership drives. Minakshi Bahinipati highlighted upcoming programmes aimed at addressing women’s issues from the panchayat level to the state level, including special initiatives in districts such as Malkangiri and Mayurbhanj.

The concluding session was attended by Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Organisation president Sudarshan Das and OPCC media department chairman Arvind Das, among other party leaders.