Bhubaneswar: The Odisha chapter of Indian Institute of Mass Communication Alumni Association (IIMCAA) organised its alumni meet in Bhubaneswar, bringing together members of the IIMC fraternity to celebrate professional bonding, collaboration and social commitment.The IIMCAA Award for Public Service was conferred on Ankita Sahoo, popularly known as the ‘Pad Woman of Odisha’, for her nearly 13 years of work in promoting menstrual hygiene awareness among women. Ankita, an alumna of the 2012-13 Odia journalism batch of IIMC, stressed the need for inclusion of men in conversations on menstrual health and awareness campaigns.Two alumni members, Manaswini Mishra and Biswajit Sahoo, were also felicitated during the programme.Speaking at the event, IIMC Dhenkanal regional director Anand Pradhan said the institute’s strength lies in its alumni network, which continues to contribute across diverse sectors while remaining connected to its roots. He also informed that IIMC has introduced new MA programmes in new media communications and strategic communication and is planning to establish an incubation centre open to both students and alumni.Several eminent journalists, alumni and office-bearers of the association attended the event.Foundation dayDAV Public School, Pokhariput, celebrated its 35th foundation day with enthusiasm on the school campus. The programme began with a mass Vedic yajna involving staff members. BPUT vice-chancellor Amiya Kumar Rath attended as chief guest and stressed the importance of innovation and technical expertise among students. School managing committee chairman Madan Mohan Panda and DAV Odisha regional director Dr Keshab Chandra Satapathy addressed the gathering.A total of 139 units of blood were collected in a camp organised earlier by the junior red cross wing. Cultural performances, felicitation of achievers and unveiling of the school magazine ‘Prerana’ marked the celebration.Labour DayFakir Mohan University, Balasore, observed International Labour Day 2026 with a programme on ‘Labour Rights and Social Justice in the Modern Economy’. Organised by the PG department of PMIR in collaboration with the business management and commerce departments, the event highlighted workers’ rights and workplace well-being. Vice-chancellor Santosh Kumar Tripathy stressed the importance of labour rights for sustainable development. Emami Paper Mills aassistant general manager Manoj Kumar Parhi spoke on responsible labour practices in industry. The university felicitated ground-level workers for their contributions. Student competitions and a plantation drive were also organised as part of the celebrations.
