Sambad Group’s 2nd edition of ‘She Heroes’ held, women from edu, security sector felicitated

Bhubaneswar: When it comes to women empowerment, Odisha has set an example in many spheres by enabling women from all walks of life to create a niche for themselves, said Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Mayor Sulochana Das on Friday. Speaking as chief guest at the second edition of ‘She Heroes’ Sikhyak Rakhyak organised by Sambad Group on the occasion of International Women’s Day here in the Capital, Das said a society cannot move forward when women are left behind. “From self help groups to Mukta Yojana, Nua O scholarships, BSKY card, land ownership certificates and reservation of women in politics, Odisha government has given a platform for women to create an identity for themselves ,” she said at the event which was organised to felicitate women in education and social security.

Chief speaker Rajya Sabha member Sulata Deo said,”Women have now working alongside men with equal merit. God has created women in such a manner that they go on to create a distinct mark wherevever they work. Freedom should be every woman’s right. But we need to keep in mind that their independence should not be curtailed in any manner,” she said while urging women to take strides in social and economic domains.

Chairing the event, Sambad Group Managing Director Monica Nayyar Patnaik said the company has taken various initiatives to give a platform for women to move forward. The event Sikhyak Rakhyak is a similar effort to acknowledge the role of women in the education and social security sectors, and felicitate them, she added.

Speaking on the pressure of balancing work and domestic responsibilities on women, Kalinga Hospital Managing Director Nilanjana Mukherjee said there’s a shift in mindset of men now which is making things easier for women. As men come forward to share responsibilities at home, women are relieved from the societal expectations at home and have the freedom to devote more time at work, she said during the panel discussion.

Lawyer Manasi Padhy said women must be strong-willed to strive for success. When they reach greater heights and take on important roles in policy making, the glaring gap between men and women will lessen.

In the second phase of the panel discussion, KIIT School of Management’s Associate Professor Sikata Singh said media has been instrumental in reducing the gender divide. Ramadevi Women’s College Department of Odia Language and Literature HOD Sanghmitra Bhanja said apart from formal education, self awareness and reflection must also be given due attention. Women are mentally much more stronger than men which makes them capable of taking on multifarious roles simultaneously.

“If women are policy makers, discrepancies will end”

Among those felicitated were KMBB Science Higher Secondary School teacher Romali Sonam Samarpita and Dean (Administration) Minatiprabha Sahuu, advocate Manasi Pahi, Public Rights Association President Jyotirmayee Panda, Eurokids International Pre School director  Jyotsnamayee Parida, K-1 group supervisor  Sarita Das, G4S Security Service security officer Suprabha Sahu, Hi Tech Medical College Professor Rajlaxmi Panigrahi, Kalinga Hospita’s Sharishtha Sadhangi,  Sum Ultimate Medicare’s Swati Samant, 3S Dental Director  Preeti Y Sadhangi, RO Transformation founder  Rosaline Parida, Utkal Hospital’s Dr Madhusmita Sahu, PJ group of institution’s Prof Ipsita Patra, Alok English Medium School  founder Charubala Nayak,  Quester HR Director Tarannum Jahan Sultana, KV-1  teacher Pranati Subuddhi,  Nandankanan police station IIC Samita Mishra and Traffic police station 1’s Chandrakanti Pradhan.

“The role of media has been pivotal in reducing discrimination between men and women”

Also felicitated were associate partners including Panda Travel Mart  director Shiv Prasad Panda, Rehab health care chief Mitali Swain, Parineeta org’s Sasmita Sahu, Preeti Enterprise director  Trilochan Sahu, Nalco PR division’s  Shaktiprakash Nayak,  Sunshine Hospital’s medical superintendent Kailash D Ghodke and Empires hotel vice chairman Sanjay Mishra.