International Women’s Day was observed by the Family Counseling Center of Indian Red Cross, Orissa State Branch with a symposium on ‘Equal rights, Equal Opportunities, Progress for all’. Eminent women activists, students of social work institutions and bureaucrats were assembled in a common platform to discuss and review the shortfalls of the campaign and chalk out the strategies towards a meaningful change.
Inaugurating the event chief guest Prof (Dr) Asha Hans, Vice President IRCS-OSB emphasized that development in social and economic status may be obtained by conscious management of collective issues.
Addressing to the audience Dr. Mangala Prasad Mohanty, Honorary Secretary, IRCS-OSB said that women empowerment could be achieved if welfare schemes formulated promulgated by the Government are diligently executed.
Dr. Seba Mohapatra, Dr. Bijaya mishra and Smt Basanti Pani were the other prominent participants.
The FCC, IRCS-OSB also organized a voluntary Blood Donation Camp by women volunteers to help the sick and suffering men and women those are in need of blood transfusion.
There was a debate competition on women empowerment organized by the women activists along with several other cultural items like recitation of poetry written by the participants. Awards were given to the best performers in every category.
The events were coordinated by Dr Jharana Swain and Mrs Anuradha Goswami , FCC counselor , Indian Red Cross Society, Orissa State Branch.