Bhubaneswar : Software Technology Parks of India (STP) Monday celebrated the International Woman’s Day.

The STPI director general Dr. Omkar Rai, Mo School chairperson Susmita Bagchi, Padma Sri Shanti Devi, Bhubaneswar ACP Rekha Lohani graced the Inaugural ceremony.

Joining as chief guest Dr. Omkar Rai said that the Indian IT industry has set high standard in gender inclusivity as the women constitute 35% of total IT Workforce. Women are a key and vital part of our workforce, and their participation in the workforce is seen as a critical enabling factor for continued growth of the industry which is a matter of celebration.

Susmita Bagchi outlined the woman empowerment measures being taken by the State government through the Mo School and other programs so that the girl children could be sensitized form a young age on their rights and privileges.

Padmashri Shanti Devi lamented on increasing rate of crime and atrocities on women and sought for a paradigm shift in the thought process of man towards woman. She emphasized that the relationship between man and woman should be based mutual respect and understanding. She cited several incidents and anecdotes form Indian Scriptures and Puranas to prove her points.

Director STPI-Bhubaneswar Manas Panda told that the faces of an Indian woman have been changed in the changing trend and the changing roles of Indian Women have been transformed from Bread Bakers to Bread Earners

Rekha Lohani, Addl. Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar spoke about the man centric outlook and attitude of the society and called for equitable norms and level playing fields for women in all walks of life. He said there cannot be double standards while dealing with women centric issues.

In this occasion, felicitation of Purnima Giri & Srimati Badra two national award winning women and children from Odisha who inspired with their hard work and resoluteness were felicitated.

The inaugural session was followed by technical session which was addressed by Sarita Mishra of TCS, Prativa Mohapatra of IBM, Sumona Karjee Mishra, Sumona Mitra and Dr Ruchi Mittal

In this occasion some brightest woman entrepreneurs were shared their experience of handling challenging situation and success. Puspita Mishra of Nrtutangana presented a scintillating Odissi performance.

The was participated by more than hundred women lead tech Startups, lady entrepreneurs and working lady professionals and lady incubatees of Electropreneur Park (EP) Bhubaneswar.