Report by Nishapati Nayak, Koraput: Central University of Orissa honoured Padma Shri Awardee 2019 Smt. Kamala Pujari, member of Odisha State Planning Board and Dr. Aparna Mohanty, eminent feminist Odia poet in a programme on the occasion of International Women’s Day – 2019, observed at the University campus at Sunabeda, Koraput on 8th August, 2019. The programme was organised by the Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) of University where Smt. Pujari and Dr. Mohanty attended as the Chief Guest and Chief Speaker respectively. Prof. Sharat Kumar Palita, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor (Acting), Prof. Asit Kumar Das, Registrar and Dr. Minati Sahoo, Presiding Officer of ICC spoke on this occasion. The programme was started with the lighting of lamp followed by a welcome song by the CUO students.
Prof. Palita in his inaugural speech prepared the ground by tracing the beginning of the women movement and advocated that both men and women are inseparable. “We feel proud that the great female person of the region who received number of recognition in national and international level for social cause and preserving more than 150 varieties of indigenous seeds of paddy is present with us. He highlighted the importance of women but raised the issue of their un-recognition. He advocated to change the mindset towards female folk and to acknowledge their work.
University Registrar Prof. Asit Kumar Das recognised women to be the essence of life but raised concerns about their subjugation and stressed on the empowerment of women. Speaking on the great tribal lady Smt. Kamala Pujari he said “Language is not a barrier. Your great work and activities have transgressed all boundaries of languages and culture”.
Smt. Pujari, the Chief Guest of the occasion shared her personal journey from Jeypore to New Delhi and South Africa as well as her work in conservation of indigenous paddy seeds with promotion of organic farming. She motivated the students to work for the betterment of the society.
The chief speaker, Dr. Aparna Mohanty very lucidly elaborated the essence of feminism. She stressed the need for the liberation of women and how patriarch society should care to respect the power of that liberation to develop healthy social system.
ICC Presiding Officer, Dr. Minati Sahoo welcomed the gathering and underlined the importance of the event.
On behalf of the Central university of Orissa Prof. Palita, the Acting VC felicitated Padma Shri Smt. Kamala Pujari and Prof. Das, the Registrar felicitated Dr. Aparna Mohanty respectively after their introduction by Dr. Satabdi Behera, ICC member.
At last, prizes and certificates were distributed to the winners of the Group song competition and Modern pencil art competition which were organised by the Internal Complaints Committee in pursuance of the International Women’s Day 2019.
The programme ended with a closing song followed by formal vote of thanks by Shri Bijayananda Pradhan, ICC member. Students and teaching and non-teaching staff were present at large.
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