Bhubaneswar witnessed the celebration of International Women’s Day at CSIR – IMMT, with a campaign theme of “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” highlighting the importance of creating a world where everyone is respected and valued.
The event, held at the Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Hall of CSIR-IMMT, was inaugurated by Chief Guest, Mrs. Jagi Mangat Panda, MD of OTV, recipient of the Utkal Ratna Samman, and Guest of Honour, Dr. Smita Mohanty, Director & Head of CIEPET: SARP. They were joined by distinguished women professionals, faculty members, and students from the state.
Dr. Ramanuj Narayan, Director of CSIR-IMMT, extended his greetings to all employees on this occasion.
Mrs. Jagi Mangat Panda underscored significant achievements such as the launch of Chandrayaan 3 and the indispensable role of women in this project. She emphasized the importance of challenging stereotypes surrounding women in India, citing the accomplishments of the “Rocket Women” and advocating for their recognition. Mrs. Panda also spoke about the need to acknowledge India’s rich history and culture while striving to break stereotypes and promote gender equality. She stressed the importance of women assuming decision-making roles and suggested that Women’s Day should be celebrated daily.
Dr. Smita Mohanty highlighted the necessity of dismantling barriers that hinder women’s participation in entrepreneurship, including societal norms, access to funding, and cultural biases. She noted a growing trend of women engaging in traditionally male-dominated fields such as bodybuilding and kusti (traditional Indian wrestling), indicating a broader cultural shift towards gender equality and inclusivity.
The participation of women in physically demanding sports like bodybuilding and kusti not only challenges stereotypes but also promotes physical health, self-confidence, and empowerment among women, according to Dr. Mohanty.
Shri H. K. Tripathy, Scientist in-charge, and Dr. (Mrs.) M. G. Sujana, Chief Scientist and organizing secretary of the International Women’s Day celebrations, presided over the event. Various programs were organized for the students and staff of the institute, and prizes were distributed to the winners. Additionally, a PhD awarded girl research scholar and the top-performing school girl from the RRL project were felicitated as a token of appreciation and encouragement during the program.
