TNI Bureau: The World Odisha Society (WOS) celebrated International Women’s Day as Shakti Utsaba with great enthusiasm in New Delhi. The programme was organised in a hybrid mode with participation from women leaders, office bearers and members of WOS, Non-Resident Odias, and representatives of Odia associations from different states of India and abroad.

The main offline event was held at the Press Club of India in New Delhi, where several eminent personalities from Delhi and the National Capital Region attended. This year marked the fifth edition of Shakti Utsaba hosted by WOS.

Addressing the gathering, WOS founder Dr. Arundhati Debi, the chief speaker, stressed the need for women to become self-sufficient in all spheres of society. She appreciated the initiatives of WOS in promoting women’s empowerment and highlighting their achievements.

In his welcome address, WOS Chairman Kishore Dwibedi said women members have played a vital role in the growth of the organisation. He noted that WOS has expanded its presence from 20 countries in 2021 to 74 countries worldwide.

Other distinguished speakers included former ambassador Amarendra Khatua, WOS adviser Nalini Ranjan Mohanty, senior administrator Sanjeeb Patjoshi, former President of the Press Club of India Gautam Lahiri, WOS Vice-Chairman Dr. Nalini Pati, Secretary General Siba Ranjan Biswal and Women’s Wing President Dr. Sunanda Mishra Panda, who spoke about the opportunities and challenges faced by women across the world.

During the event, Maha Nari Samman and Nari Ratna Puraskar awards were presented to women achievers for their contributions to society. Past District Governor of Rotary International and President of Luminous Infoways Jayashree Mohanty and renowned Odissi exponent and educationist Dr. Purnashree Raut were honoured with Maha Nari Samman for their exemplary role in promoting women’s empowerment.

The Nari Ratna Puraskar awards were presented to Dr. Kiran Jain, Dr. Harapriya Dhal, Pooja Khandual, Sujata Chaudhry, Dr. Chandana Raul, Sabita Sahu, Sareeta Mohapatra, Suvralina Mohanty, Snigdha Das, Vandana Mohanty, Madhumita Nayak Sahu, Deepika Mishra, Mrunmayee Priyadarsini, Abhipsa Rath, Deepali Pani, Nibedita Jena, Pradosh Kumari, Sangeeta Mohanty, Priyatama Kar, Shimran Zaman, Archana Porida, Swapna Rani Rout and Renuka Jena for their contributions towards women’s empowerment.

Senior journalist Ranjan Acharya and Braja Panda, founder of BM Foundation, were also felicitated for their efforts to support and uplift underprivileged women.

The programme was smoothly anchored by Pratima Sharma, while Nandan Dwibedi and Ankit Arya managed the digital control room. The vote of thanks was proposed by WOS General Secretary Pushpanjali Barik.