ICAR-Indian Institute of Water Management, Bhubaneswar observed International Women's Day on 8th March, 2019 on the theme "Think Equal, Build Smart, Innovate for Change". On this occasion, all the staff members of ICAR-IIWM family assembled in the Committee Room of the Institute and witnessed the address and interaction of Hon'ble Prime Minister with the SHGs through web-cast in which the Prime Minister honored some of the women beneficiaries of different welfare schemes at Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hastkala Kankul at Varanasi. Apart from this, the Scientists and research scholars shared their views on role of women in today's society and gender equality.
An interaction meeting was organized at the Deras farm of ICAR-IIWM in Mendhasal with farm women discussing the importance of women in agriculture especially in agricultural water management. Dr. Pramod Kumar Panda, Principal Scientist told that women are better managers and are excelling in every field more than expectations. He stressed on entrepreneurship ability of women's and cited their success stories in self-help groups and many more. Dr. D. Sethi, Scientist, told how women can e earn more profit from farm animals with proper mediation and supplements and cited many success stories where women farmers have led examples to follow in the field of agriculture. Dr. Rachana Dubey, Scientist told that women are no less than their counterparts, only need is encouragement and awareness among women. She stressed on better education and equality for inclusive growth. The program was attended by farm workers and women farmers from nearby villages of Mendhasal.
Dr. Madhumita Das and Dr. Ranu Rani Sethi, Principal Scientists of this Institute participated and expressed their views in a State Level Convention of Women Scientists and Technologists organized by Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar. The purpose of the first ever convention of women scientists in Odisha was to provide a platform to raise, discuss and provide constructive and implementable solutions to several practical problems being faced for large number of women scientist personnel scientific education, research and social domains.