The “Power Parba Rally,” a pre-event marking the start of the celebrations for ‘Power Parba 2025,’ took place on February 5, traveling from the DC office to the Christian PU College ground.
Commander (Dr) Anil Rana, Director of MIT Manipal, inaugurated the event by releasing balloons into the sky. Pratheek Bayal, CEO of Zilla Panchayat, flagged off the procession, which included bikes, cars, and a lively Nasik band.
The rally, which passed through Manipal and Udupi, ended at Christian PU College. Dr. Anil Rana spoke during the event about the role of women in his life, sharing that he was raised by a strong, single mother who instilled in him the values of service and discipline. He emphasized that women empowerment has the power to change families and communities, urging women to continue empowering themselves and those around them.
Pratheek Bayal also highlighted the importance of women’s involvement in the workforce. He explained that while women make up almost half of India’s population, their economic contribution remains disproportionately low. Bayal praised initiatives like the National Rural Livelihood Mission, which supports women’s self-help groups and entrepreneurship in Udupi district. He encouraged the inclusion of these groups and differently-abled individuals in the Power Parba platform.
Dr. Archana, Senior Resident in the Department of Anaesthesiology, shared that, as president of the women’s doctors’ wing, they would offer free blood tests and sugar level screenings for women at Power Parba, along with bone density tests on Sunday.
The rally also featured cultural performances by students from WGSHA, adding to the festive vibe.
The event saw the participation of several prominent figures, including Power Tanuja Maben, UCCI Vice President Nataraj Prabhu, and other key organizers.
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