On March 6, 2020, an event was organized, anticipated International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration at PMKK (Kokar, Ranchi) to tell the women in this world that we love, respect and uphold gender equality. It was a combined program for the trainees of the Don Bosco Tech Society (Khorhatoli & Kokar). Fr. Noble George (Center Head and Principal, kokar), Mr. Wakaish Alam (State Coordinator, Chattisgarh & Jharkhand), Ms. Mukta Mariam Kujur (State MIS, Jharkhand) and Mr. Arvind Vipin Topno (Center Coordinator, Kokkar) were present at the occasion as guests of honor. 

Ms. Pratima Ekka (Receptionist, Kokkar) briefed the audience about the significance of the occasion. She explained why we celebrate the IWD on March 8 each year saying “The day has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911. It is dedicated to celebrating women’s achievement in the social, economic, cultural and political spheres.” In her speech, she listed only a few notable women of the society like Florence Nightingale (Founder of Nursing), Mother Teresa (Founder, Sisters of Charity), Aruna Roy (Indian Politics & Social Activist), Kiran Bedi (Retired IPS Officer, Social activist, former tennis player, and Politician), Laxmi Agarwal (Indian acid attack survivor, a campaigner for rights of acid attack victims, and a TV host). 

The program continued with the lighting of the lamp. “Light symbolizes the presence of God and victory over darkness,” said Fr. Noble while lighting the lamp. He invited all to spend a few seconds in silent prayer. 

It followed pryer song, sung by ISMO trainees. 

 Thereafter, Fr. Noble facilitated a group activity bearing three topics for discussion. The topics are: first, ‘what is the role of a woman?’, second, ‘what is the role of a woman in the family?’, third, what can be done to empower the women in the society?’ 

The learning from the activity: first, the realization of the importance of the role of a woman in the family and society at large, second,  no society and no world without a woman.

 Fr. Noble encouraged the women (staff members & trainees) to apply three points in their life every day to be able to build self-confidence and said, “Think Positive, secondly accept yourself and thirdly, say ‘I can do’.

Miss Saroj Kandulna (Trainer, ISMO) thanked Fr. Noble vehemently for facilitating activity-based questioners while invited the girls to repeat those learning points together. The female trainees of F&B presented dance in gratitude to male staff members of both the centers for having organized a grand celebration. 

In the end, male trainees of the F&B domain served refreshment for the female staff members supervised by Mr. Abhishek Kumar (Trainer, Hospitality).