Society cannot progress sans self-reliance, self-esteem: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

Bhubaneswar: Self-reliance builds self-esteem without which a society cannot  move forward. It is the duty of enlightened people to show the way forward, a responsibility which 'Sambad' has taken despite not being a government institution, said Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan while addressing an event here in the Capital.

Speaking at the third edition of Odisha-50 jointly organised by Sambad-Ama Odisha and the Ministry of Culture, the Cabinet Minister for Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said women have always been held in high regard in Odisha. "While women across the country have their own distinct identities, Odisha stands apart in certain unique traditions like 'Manabasa Gurubar' where women set an example in 'Swachhata' by cleaning their homes for Goddess Laxmi on every Thursday of Margasira month. If Odisha prospers, so will India. And this will be achieved only through self-reliance and awareness of women," he said.

Addressing as chief guest at the event under the chairmanship of Sambad Group's founder editor Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, Pradhan went on to say that the current situation in Odisha is not encouraging. "While Odisha claims to have enough resources, intelligence and healthcare infrastructure, the newspapers even today carry stories of pregnant women being carried in slings to hospitals. Besides, a significant portion of women from nearly 50 per cent of the State population suffer from anaemia and malnutrition. To address these pressing issues is not the duty of the State government alone. After 13 years, Odisha will complete 100 years since its formation in 1936 and so will India after 24 years. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi aspires India to become a developed country by then, it is pertinent that we do not lose sight of the fact that healthy mothers create healthy children who go on to determine the health of the nation," he added.

"There are 6 lakh villages in the country and in the next two years, almost 50,000 villages in Odisha will have  access to optical fibre which will ensure 4G and later 5G connectivity. Odisha has a great culinary culture and women must make use digital space to each out to the global audience," Pradhan stated.

Sambad Group founder editor Soumya Ranjan Patnaik said women have been lagging behind for various reasons. To make them come forward, education is paramount but so is skill development and employability. They must not only be educated, women must be financially independent as well. While the government has devised various schemes in this regard, it is the responsibility of Odisha-50 to ensure awareness on the same," he said, adding that women have more moral values when it comes to honesty and sense of fair play. "Sambad not only ensures honesty in print, it also felicitates women who come forward with stories of injustice and unique endeavours. Ama Odisha has also taken a resolve to make the State alcohol free. While the government may not take strict measures in this regard as it concerns revenue generation, women here can take lead and control the environment at home. A campaign to this effect will be launched on the occasion of Rakhi Purnima," he announced.

Sambad Group's Managing Director Monica Nayyar Patnaik said women have achieved feats in areas ranging from mushroom cultivation to making of incense sticks and lentil dumplings. They also educate others in the process which is an added bonus for the society. However, adequate knowledge of marketing and Central and State schemes are required to make optimal use of resources. We are making concerted efforts to impart sufficient training programmes to achieve the desired goals," she said.

Also participating at the event, Sambad Group's Executive Director Tanaya Patnaik said it is an established fact that women are by no means less than men in any field when armed with education and equal opportunities. Even then, women empowerment is an issue due to various systemic factors. Women have courage, strength but not enough self-belief  and confidence in their abilities . They must dream big and work towards realising their dreams. Those who become successful in various ventures must also share their stories to inspire others," she said.

On the occasion, 90 women, three from each district, were felicitated with 'Sarada Seema Samman'. A coffe table book was also launched on the occasion. Ama Odisha secretary Swaraj Mishra gave the welcome speech at the event.