By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI:World Odisha Society (WOS) celebrated International Women’s Day as Shakti Utsaba in New Delhi. The glittering Ceremony organised in hybrid mode, was attended by several well known women leaders, Office bearers and members of WOS, leading Non-Resident Odias and representatives of Odia Samajs from different states of India and abroad both physically and virtually. The main offline venue of the Festival at Press Club of India witnessed congregation of several eminent personalities from Delhi and National Capital region.This was the Fifth Edition of Shakti Utsaba being hosted by WOS. The entire ambience of the function was agog with pomp, splendour and fanfare to mark the Grand Occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Speaker, founder of WOS Dr Arundhati Debi stressed on the need of self sufficiency of women in every strata of the society. Dr Debi appreciated WOS ‘s initiatives to strengthen women prowess and highlight their achievements. Delivering Welcome address, Chairman of WOS Kishore Dwibedi acknowledged that Women members of WOS are playing a vital role towards the phenomenal growth of the society across the Globe from just 20 countries during its foundation in 2021 to 74 countries now. Speaking during the occasion other distinguished dignitaries like former ambassador Amarendra Khatua, Adviser of WOS Nalini Ranjan Mohanty, Senior Administrator Sanjeeb Patjoshi,ex-President of Press Club of India Gautam Lahiri, Vice-Chairman of WOS Dr Nalini Pati from Canberra, Secretary General of WOS Siba Ranjan Biswal from Manchester and President of Women’s wing Dr Sunanda Mishra Panda from Torronto dwelt upon extensively on the challenges and chances before women worldwide.
Shakti Utsaba witnessed the conferment of Maha Nari Sammans and presentation of Nari Ratna Puraskars to outstanding women for their meritorious services to the society. Past District Governor of Rotary International, Noted Social leader and co-founder cum President of Luminous Infoways Jayashree Mohanty and Renowned Odissi Exponent cum Erudite Educationist Dr Purnashree Raut were conferred Maha Nari Sammans in recognition to their exemplary contributions in championing the cause of women’s empowerment. Guests and Hosts also presented Nari Ratna Puraskars to women of substance from different walks of life like 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 sterling services towards emancipation of womanhood. Senior Journalist Ranjan Acharya and Founder of BM Foundation Braja Panda were specially felicitated during the meeting for their dedicated role to elevate the underprivileged women in society. General Secretary, WOS Pushpanjali Barik proposed vote of thanks.
Ace Anchor Pratima Sharma conducted the proceedings of the programme quite smoothly. Nandan Dwibedi and Ankit Arya efficiently managed the digital control room.
Prominent personalities present include Sudhir Kumar Dash, Sangram K. Mishra, Manmath Kumar Raut, Tanmay Mohanty, Senior Journalists Ravindra Mishra, Nigamanand Prusty, Sanjiv Acharya, Sangram Parhi, Bimal Bhal, Satyanarayan Sahu, Vinayak Das, Akshay Mohanty, Badri Mahapatra, Ravi Pani, Anindita Das, Umakanta Jena, Hrushikesh Patra, Dr Tapan Mohanta, Dr Smruti Ranjan Nayak, Jnana Prakash Jena, Dr. Nivedita Giri, Acharya Abhimanyu, Reeta Patra, Bishnu Pradhan, Shrimant Biswal, Suranjita Rana and Aditya Patra.
