TNI Bureau: A two-day training camp of the Odisha Pradesh Mahila Congress began at Adventure Resort on the Bhubaneswar–Puri road, with leaders stressing the need for women to recognize their own identity, unite, and actively fight injustice.

The training camp was inaugurated by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Bhakta Charan Das in the presence of Odisha Mahila Congress in-charge Tulika Karma, Bhubaneswar District Congress president Prakash Jena, Mahila Congress advisor Bijayalakshmi Sahu, Congress leader Ratnamani Ulaka, and Nari Nyay chairperson Prof Gayatri Biswal, who jointly lit the ceremonial lamp.

Addressing the gathering, PCC president Bhakta Charan Das said that before choosing any path of action, it is essential for women to understand their own identity. He stated that an active and capable woman can achieve anything and emphasized that women are not objects but equal stakeholders in society. Referring to the role of women in the framing of the Constitution, he said women were included to ensure equality. He described former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as a symbol of women’s empowerment and urged women to resolve to fight injustice with courage and unity. He added that when lakhs of women come together, justice and dignity for women will become possible.

Odisha Mahila Congress president Minakshi Bahinipati said the message of the training camp must reach the grassroots level, especially up to the block level. She highlighted the important role of PCC president Bhakta Charan Das in encouraging women to come forward in public life.

Congress leader Ratnamani Ulaka called upon party workers to strengthen the Mahila Congress by taking the Congress message to every village. Prof Gayatri Biswal, chairperson of Nari Nyay, stressed the need for women to remain united and continue the struggle, while also creating awareness among girl students through education.

Former minister Bijayalakshmi Sahu spoke on social justice and shared experiences from her own struggle, emphasizing the importance of awareness and regular reading of newspapers. Odisha Mahila Congress in-charge Tulika Karma alleged that women are unsafe under BJP rule and called for a large-scale movement involving more women. She urged party workers to actively mobilize women and participate in the struggle to bring the Congress back to power.

The second session of the training camp was attended by Sudarshan Das, president of the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sangathan; Aravind Das, PCC Media Cell president; Shubhendu Mahanti; district Mahila Congress presidents; and state Mahila Congress office-bearers. The session was conducted by Sunita Biswal.

The leaders collectively emphasized that women must be socially, politically, and economically empowered, raise their voices firmly yet respectfully, and remain united to bring meaningful change in society.