Nabarangpur, Dec, 11: At 11:30 AM, a training camp on the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 was organized by the District Social Welfare Department, Nabarangpur, at the Ashok Mehta Conference Hall.
District Social Welfare Officer Draupadi Kahar welcomed the participants and explained the objectives and purpose of the training programme.
Deputy Collector Prakash Kumar Mishra, who also serves as the Dowry Prohibition Officer, discussed how complaints related to dowry harassment can be addressed and resolved.
As the chief guest, District Collector Dr. Maheshwar Swain stated that dowry practice and the crimes associated with it are social evils as well as punishable offences. He emphasized that taking or giving dowry is a crime and that eliminating this practice is a collective responsibility.
He highlighted the main reasons behind dowry-related crimes—
* deep-rooted social customs,
* gender inequality,
* economic greed,
* lack of awareness and education,
* false social prestige, and
* weak implementation of the law.
The Collector called for societal change to eliminate crimes arising from dowry and stressed the importance of taking the 1961 Act to the grassroots level.
SP Saroj Punam Kipata, and District Legal Services Authority representative, Advocate Rakshee Jain, participated as trainers and discussed dowry harassment, legal remedies, and law enforcement procedures.
It was expressed that if girls become educated, self-reliant, and seek legal support when subjected to post-marriage dowry harassment, this social disease can be eradicated soon.
Several officials and dignitaries attended the camp, including:
* ADPHO & Health Officer Rakesh
* Dr. Malay Kumar Tripathy
* DEO Chhatrapati Sahu
* DIPRO Manoj Behera
* Shishu Pattanaik
* ADWO Bharat Chandra Sahu
* Members of the Sunny Anjuman Committee of religious institutions
* Rev. Bishop Nag
* One Stop Centre Coordinator
* Vice-Principal of Nabarangpur College Sangeeta Tripathy and students
* District Representative of Shobha NGO, among others.
Staff of the District Women Empowerment Centre fully supported the programme.
Programme Officer Roma Pattanaik conducted the training session and concluded the event by extending a vote of thanks to all participants.