Bhubaneswar: The final phase of ‘The Governance Challenge, 2023’ has been held in partnership with Department of Electronics and Information Technology and Samagra. The theme for this year’s competition was ‘Women Empowerment’. About 10,000 students from 3,100 teams from 35 major business schools across the country participated in it.
The final stage of the competition will be held by the IIMs. Bangalore, B.I.T.S. School of Management, F.M.S. Delhi, IIM. Calcutta, I.I.M. Lucknow and XIMB. 18 students from Bhubaneswar passed.
At the closing ceremony, these successful contestants presented a Power Point presentation on the theme of their studies. IIM in it. Bangalore won Rs 5 lakh as the winner, xim b. Bhubaneswar became the first runner-up with Rs 3 lakh and FMS. Delhi was given the winner-certificate along with Rs 1 lakh as the second runner-up.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik welcomed the participants and said that Odisha has achieved a special identity in the country in the field of ‘Women Empowerment’. Women in the state have reached the pinnacle of success due to government incentives. The state government has ensured an annual turnover of Rs 5,000 crore through Mission Shakti while providing interest-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh per annum to each group. ‘Women empowerment’ is not a slogan in Odisha but a path-breaking step.
The representation of 33 per cent of the state’s 21 Lok Sabha seats in the Lok Sabha and more than 50 per cent elected women in panchayats and municipalities has proved the state government’s strong commitment. Today, Odisha has carved a niche for itself in the field of women empowerment in the country and has become a guiding light for other states. The second edition of ‘The Governance Challenge’ in the state is an example of that. The way the students have shown the solution in the competition is very commendable. He hoped that addressing these challenges would have a huge impact on the sector.
Asit Tripathy, Chairman, Western Odisha Development Council was the Judge of the meeting and explained the important role played by women and youth in the development of the state.
Similarly, Development Commissioner Anu Garg said that the development of the state is possible only if women become aware of the various welfare schemes being implemented in the state and the country.
Sujata Rout Karthikeyan, Secretary, Mission Shakti Department, said that today the youth across the country are acting as carriers of change and said that Mission Shakti Cafe has played an important role in empowering women.
Manoj Mishra, Principal Secretary, Department of Electronics & Information Technology said that there is a strong need to scout for the best talent to meet the complex challenges of the country.
He said that such competitions provide opportunities to the students to share the real picture of social issues and their participation in the development of the country. He said that organizing such competitions will greatly benefit the students and enhance their experience and skills.
Santosh Mathiah, National Head of Public Policy and Finance, BMGF, Roopa Roshan Sahu, Secretary, SC ST & OBC Development, Manas Ranjan Panda, Managing Director, OCAC, Madhumita Rath, General Manager, OCAC and Founder and CEO, Samagra were also present on the occasion. Gaurav Goel was also present. The guests were felicitated by ‘Samagra’.
