Paperman Media, Cuttack, October 16
International Girl Child Day was celebrated with much pomp and massive fanfare at the Kanya Centre located within the campus of Sovaniya Sikhyashram at Bidanasi. On this occasion, the participating girls were dressed in traditional Odia attire. Presided over by the Director of International Indecency Prevention Movement Dr. Arundhati Debi, the ceremony was attended by hundreds of representatives from various Sovaniya educational institutions. Unusual interest, unexpected enthusiasm and unprecedented excitements were visible among the children during this grand celebration.
Addressing the gathering, Guruma Dr. Arundhati Debi called upon the girls to pursue education, develop self-respect, and become strong and self-reliant. She added that they should be aware of their legitimate rights, work hard to empower themselves and outrightly reject illegal practice of child marriage.
Distinguished educationist Professor Gyanendra Sharma and renowned scientist cum social leader Dr. Subodh Rautray graced the Ceremony as the chief guest and chief speaker respectively. At the outset, the girl students of the Sikhyashram presented a scintillating musical performance entitled “Kanya Amara Kalyanamayi”, highlighting the value of the girl child in society. Students who won competitions in writing poems and essays on the topic of “Girl Child Day” were awarded during the meeting .
Senior member of the organising committee, Geetanjali Swain, proposed vote of thanks. The entire celebration was successfully conducted under the active supervision of staff members of the Sikhyashram, which include Manorama Debi, Urmila Behera, Kadambini Patra, Basanti Kumari, Rajrani Tripathy, Manasi Mallick, Anushka Choudhury, Madhusmita Panda, Manini Rout, Deepak Kumar and Amani Jena. At the end, sweets were distributed among the children.
