WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATIONS AT VISAKHAPATNAM REGIONAL CENTRE
Visakhapatnam Regional Centre, ICAR-CMFRI celebrated International Women's Day on 24 th March 2025 with the theme "For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment". The celebrations initiated with lighting of the lamp by Chief Guest, Smt. Elsa Noble, Manager Operations, Dredging Corporation of India, Visakhapatnam in the presence of Dr.Joe K. Kizhakudan, Head, VRC, ICAR-CMFRI and Dr. Jayasree Loka, PS & Chairperson, Women Cell, VRC, CMFRI and other staff members. Head, VRC addressed the gathering and welcomed and honoured the Chief guest with a memento and a bouquet and all the women participants were greeted with a rose, and mentioned that this day is set aside to honour the accomplishments of women across the globe and to contemplate the persistent fight for women empowerment. He recalled the premier stalwarts who rendered services in Marine science and Fisheries in CMFRI like Dr Mrs PV Kagwade, Dr Grace Mathew, Dr Chandrika, Dr Sivakami, Dr Mary Manisseri, Dr Krishna S, Dr Manpal S, Dr Rani Mary George, Dr Vasant Kripa, Dr Pratibha P and others. He stated that the empowerment of women leads to flourishing communities, economic growth, and greater equity within societies. Dr. Jayasree Loka, PS & Chairperson, Women Cell, VRC highlighted the various activities of Women Cell at Visakhapatnam Centre and mentioned that the cell made several awareness and training programmes for women and fisherwomen of Andhra State in the field of fisheries and mariculture. She mentioned that the cell is taking more initiatives towards development of Women Entrepreneurs in the field of Fisheries sector.Other than these activities, the Women cell also made few resolutions to honour the women of scientific field, make contribution towards the raising donations for education of girl child and welfare of old women, conduct of medical camps as a part of health care of women and child. She urged the lady staff that let us take this opportunity to recognize the women who enrich our lives, acknowledge their accomplishments, and renew our dedication to creating a fairer and more equitable world for everyone. Programme Chief Guest, Smt. Elsa Noble, Manager Operations in DCI, Visakapatnam wished all women on this occasion for their significant contributions in their respective fields. She being the first woman Engineer who held charge of the dredging in Kochi barmouth and coastal waters for several years, shared her official works and activities and motivated all the women of the centre with her inspirational speech. She stated that we all should reaffirm our dedication to advancing women's education, fostering their leadership, and foster an environment in which every woman and girl can realize her full potential and acknowledged the contributions of men for integral growth and development. All the staff members of Visakhapatnam RC participated in the programme and the function was concluded with vote of thanks and the National Anthem.
