Bhubaneswar: The International Volunteer Day was observed on the premises of Centre for Youth and Social Development (CYSD) here on Wednesday with an aim to celebrate the efforts and values of volunteers across the globe.
The themes of the International Volunteer Day celebrations were “Volunteerism and Gandhiji” and “Volunteers Build Resilient Communities.”
Around 200 volunteers from the different parts of the state joined the programme and shared their experiences of being volunteers.
Two Panel discussions on “Volunteerism and Gandhi” and “Building Resilient Community: in the context of Recurrent Natural Disaster in Odisha and Disaster Risk Reduction” were held followed by a Question Answer Sessions on Volunteerism to make the programme interactive and a platform of learning for all the participants.
Encouraging the youth on Volunteerism, Jagadananda, Mentor and Founder CYSD said, “The youth present here today are the enthusiastic & responsible volunteers of Nation. And these young volunteers, if follow the Gandhian path of volunteerism, could bring second Independence to the Nation.”
“A good volunteer should focus on two things to bring development in the Nation that is one should give enough time to himself as well as to the society. This would make one’s life worthwhile” he added.
The dignitaries present on the occasion focused on the International Theme of UN of this year ‘Volunteers to build up resilient communities” of their respective areas. There is a great role of the volunteers to play in building the localities by following Gandhian path and spirit of freedom struggle of India.
This celebration is dedicated to the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, added the organizers.
The panelists also described 18 numbers of Gandhian Activities to be taken forward by the volunteers to construct the nation and the youths were encouraged to be aloof from seven social evils and to be guided by the spirit of Satyagraha, truth and nonviolence, added the Gandhians on the dais.
Further, the panelists highlighted that the volunteers have to get ready for the rescue and evacuation of people at the time of disasters and prepare the community to be disaster resilient.
Furthermore, ten prominent Volunteers were felicitated for their exemplary works and devotional services impacting the society in the area of Education, Health, Environment, Women Empowerment, Community Development work and Disaster Mitigation, etc.
The event was jointly organized by the CYSD, Sarvodaya International Trust –Odisha Chapter (SITOC), Regional Centre for Development Cooperation (RCDC), United Nations Volunteers (UNV), National Youth Project (NYP), CLAP-Legal Service Institute, Niyatee Foundation, SOCH (Society for Children) and Salam Jeevan.
Among the dignitaries present in the panel discussion(s) were Gandhian Padma Shri Bhabani Charan Patnaik, Abasara Beuria, Jagadananda, Manoranjan Mohanty, Prahallad Bahi, Dr. Biswajit Ray, P K Sahoo, Kailash Ch. Dash and Bimal Prasad Pandia.
The International Volunteers Day (IVD) has been observed on 5th December each year worldwide since 1985. It is an opportunity for volunteers – involving organizations and individuals to promote their contributions to global development at local, national and international levels.
Ms Kalinga