Bhubaneswar 07.03.2026[ADN] International Women’s Day–2026 was celebrated at Odisha Hydro Power Corporation Ltd. on 7th March 2026 with enthusiastic participation of employees.
Prof. Asha Hans, Former Professor of Political Science and Founder Director, School of Women’s Studies, Utkal University graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Shri Sandeep Patnaik, Director (HR), Shri Amiya Kumar Mohanty, Director (Operation) and Shri Rajib Lochan Panda, Director (Projects) along with other senior officials of OHPC were present during the inaugural session of the programme. Ms. Dutee Chand, noted athlete and a colleague of OHPC, also joined the celebration. Addressing the gathering, Shri Sandeep Patnaik, Director (HR), emphasized the importance of women’s empowerment and gender equality. He highlighted the growing and significant role of women in leadership and decision-making across various sectors and reaffirmed OHPC’s commitment towards creating an inclusive and supportive workplace environment.
In her keynote address, Prof. Asha Hans spoke about the inner strength, resilience and determination of women. Drawing from her rich academic journey, she shared valuable insights from her work on gender issues, disability and climate change. She cited several inspiring personalities who transformed barriers into strengths and overcame social challenges through perseverance and courage. She also interacted with the women employees of OHPC and listened to their inspiring journeys and experiences.
The Vote of Thanks during the inaugural session was proposed by Ms. Ipsita Sahoo, Assistant Manager (IT).
The celebration also featured insightful sessions by Mrs. Manasi Pradhan, Founder-President of Odisa Yuva Sanskrutik Sansad and a globally renowned women’s rights activist and author, and Dr. Bijayashree Satpathy, Founder-President of Agzistence Intelligence Pvt. Ltd., an academic-entrepreneur and founder of the social enterprise Agzistence. Both speakers shared their perspectives on women’s empowerment, innovation, leadership and the importance of ensuring equality and opportunities for women across all domains of society.
To add a lively and engaging dimension to the celebration, various activities such as a Lucky Draw and Musical Chair Competition were organized exclusively for women employees. Prizes were distributed among the winners, adding joy and enthusiasm to the occasion.
The programme concluded on a vibrant and inspiring note, reaffirming OHPC’s commitment to the International Women’s Day 2026 theme, “Rights. Equality. Empowerment. For All Women and Girls,” and its continued efforts towards promoting dignity, equal opportunity and meaningful participation of women in all spheres of the organization and society.
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