Shri Baijayant Panda guides us
On 5th January 2022, Delhi Odia Nari Kalyan Samiti held an important General Meeting that marked a new chapter of encouragement and visibility for the organisation. The meeting was convened with the dual purpose of reviewing ongoing welfare initiatives and exploring potential collaborations to strengthen DONKS’ mission of serving underprivileged communities. What made this meeting particularly memorable was the gracious presence of Shri Baijayant “Jay” Panda, senior BJP leader and Member of Parliament, who joined the gathering to express his appreciation and support for the social work undertaken by DONKS.
The meeting began with a warm welcome by the Chairperson, who highlighted the achievements of the past month distribution of winter blankets, and the identification of new beneficiary families across Delhi. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved, after which the floor was opened for discussions about expanding the welfare activities in the coming months. Members reported positive feedback from the families helped in December and stressed the need for continuity, especially in the fields of education assistance and women-centric skill development.
At this juncture, Shri Baijayant Panda arrived and was welcomed with traditional Odia gestures of respect. His presence brought a wave of enthusiasm among the members. Addressing the gathering, he appreciated the dedicated efforts of the women-led organisation in preserving Odia identity while simultaneously uplifting vulnerable communities. He emphasised that grassroot social organisations like DONKS play a crucial role in building a compassionate and inclusive society. He encouraged the members to continue their service-oriented approach with transparency and unity.
Shri Panda also shared his thoughts on broader social issues such as education access for migrant children, healthcare challenges among working-class families, and the importance of empowering women through vocational training. He assured the members that he would extend moral support and help connect DONKS with appropriate government departments and social welfare networks whenever feasible. His assurance boosted the confidence of the committee, motivating them to take up larger-scale projects in the future.
Following his address, a brief interaction session was held. Members shared their challenges—particularly in outreach, funding, and mobility during peak pandemic restrictions. Shri Panda acknowledged these concerns and commended the organisation’s resilience. He reiterated that community-driven efforts carry great value and encouraged the team to remain focused on their mission.
Once the guest departed, the meeting resumed with renewed energy. The Treasurer presented the financial update, including details of the contributions received for the Sahayata Nidhi. Plans were discussed for upcoming activities, including a school-kit distribution drive for economically weaker sections and a health-awareness camp for women. A proposal was also introduced to initiate digital literacy sessions for teenage girls from migrant families, which the committee welcomed enthusiastically.
Responsibilities for these upcoming activities were again organised into subcommittees—beneficiary survey, procurement, logistics, and documentation. Members stressed the importance of ensuring dignity and fairness in all distributions. The Chairperson noted that the support expressed by Shri Baijayant Panda should inspire DONKS to work with even greater discipline, transparency, and commitment.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous resolution to scale up welfare initiatives in 2022 while strengthening community partnerships. A heartfelt vote of thanks was extended to Shri Panda for his encouraging presence and to all members for their continuous dedication. The gathering ended with a shared sense of pride, motivation, and renewed purpose to serve society with compassion and unity.
