Bhubaneswar: On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Rama Devi Women’s University (RDWU), Bhubaneswar, hosted a Youth Conclave, bringing together over 1,000 delegates, including 800+ students, to advocate for women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship, and mental well-being.
Organized by the National HRD Network (NHRDN), OdishaLIVE, and Swasthya Plus Network, in association with RD Women’s University, the conclave aimed to promote equal opportunities for women and girls. The Utkal Chamber of Commerce & Industry Limited (UCCIL) joined as an ecosystem partner for the event.
During the event, the logo for ‘WE’, an initiative launched by OdishaLIVE and NHRDN, was unveiled to promote entrepreneurship and innovation among women. Organizers announced that the initiative will include a series of awareness programs for young girls at various locations across Odisha. Speaking at the inaugural session, Prof. Chandi Charan Rath, Vice-Chancellor In-Charge, RDWU, emphasized the crucial role of women in shaping families, communities, and the nation. Quoting Indian scriptures, he stated that “where women are worshipped, the gods reside,” highlighting that empowering women leads to a brighter future for any country.
Addressing the gathering, Pranati Parida, Director of OdishaLIVE & Co-Founder of Swasthya Plus Network, encouraged young women to pursue their dreams fearlessly and take leadership roles. Prof. Shikha Singh, Director of IQAC, RDWU, urged women to break stereotypes and realize their full potential in every aspect of life. Bobby Patnaik, President of NHRD Network Bhubaneswar and HR Business Leader at Infosys, emphasized the need to promote women in entrepreneurship, stating that women can excel both in the corporate world and as business leaders.
A special session on ‘Women in Entrepreneurship’ was a key highlight of the conclave, where corporate leaders and startup founders shared their experiences. Rashmi Vishwakarma, Vice President & Senior Group Manager at Infosys, Rosalin Mohanty, Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer at Cozentus Technologies, and Akanksha Priyadarshini, Co-Founder & CEO of Aurassure, spoke about their entrepreneurial journeys and challenges. The session was moderated by Prof. Shradha Padhi, EC Member of NHRD and Deputy Director at Regional College of Management, and was chaired by Prof. Dr. Jyotirmayee Acharya from the Department of Gender Studies, RDWU.
Another key session focused on women’s mental health, where Dr. Siba Prasad Chakrabarty, a renowned psychiatrist and mental health specialist, addressed the importance of overcoming social stigma and managing mental health challenges such as anxiety, stress, and depression. The session was moderated by Priyanka Sucharita from Swasthya Plus Network and chaired by Prof. Sasmita Mohanty of the Biotechnology Department, RDWU.
In recognition of academic excellence, four alumni from the Journalism & Mass Communication Department of RDWU were felicitated for clearing the UGC-NET examination and pursuing careers in media education and research. The UCCIL Ladies Forum presented the awards to honor their achievements. The event also featured the presence of Nilambar Rath, Founder Editor & CEO of OdishaLIVE, Bhabani Mohanty, Director of OdishaLIVE, and Padmalaya Mandhata, Secretary of NHRDN, who joined the stage for the launch of the ‘WE’ logo.
The conclave concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Ambika Sankar Mishra, Head of the Department of Journalism & Mass Communication, RDWU. The event was hosted by Subhashree Nayak and Smruti Rekha Barik, who engaged the youth and aligned the discussions with the messages of International Women’s Day.
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