Bhubaneswar: The Odisha chapter of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication Alumni Association (IIMCAA) convened its alumni meet in Bhubaneswar, bringing together members of the growing IIMC fraternity to celebrate professional camaraderie, collaboration, and a shared commitment to media and society.
A key highlight of the event was the presentation of the IIMCAA Award for Public Service to Ankita Sahoo, widely known as the “Pad Woman of Odisha,” for her nearly 13 years of work in advancing menstrual hygiene awareness. An alumna of the 2012–13 Odia Journalism batch, Sahoo has been at the forefront of efforts to break taboos surrounding menstruation and improve access to hygiene practices across the state.
Receiving the award, she underscored the need for male participation in conversations on menstrual health, stressing that meaningful social change requires equal involvement from both men and women in awareness and community initiatives.
The meet also felicitated silver jubilee alumni Manaswini Mishra and Biswajit Sahoo for their association with the institute.
The Odisha chapter has been actively working to strengthen alumni ties through mentorship, collaboration, and collective growth. The gathering served as a platform to reflect on shared experiences, discuss emerging trends in media and communication, and explore avenues for meaningful societal contributions.
Addressing the gathering, Anand Pradhan, Regional Director of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal, highlighted the enduring strength of the institute’s alumni network. “IIMC’s strength lies in its people. The alumni meet is a reminder of how our graduates carry forward the institute’s values into diverse fields while staying connected to their roots and to each other,” he said.
He also spoke about the introduction of new MA programmes, including the MA in New Media Communications and the MA in Strategic Communication, alongside the institute’s flagship postgraduate diploma courses. Pradhan added that plans are underway to set up an incubation centre, which will be open to both students and alumni interested in innovation and startups.
IIMCAA President Sandeep Sethi emphasised the importance of such gatherings in fostering a supportive and inspiring professional community.
The event was attended by several distinguished personalities and alumni, including veteran journalist Kasturi Ray, Bibhudatta Mohapatra, Biraj Swain, award-winning journalist Sarada Lahangir, as well as Vice Presidents Sangita Agarwal and Byomakesh Biswal, among others.
Odisha has emerged as the second-largest base for the IIMC alumni network in the country, with members contributing across media, communication, governance, academia, and allied sectors. The IIMCAA Odisha chapter continues to expand its network, fostering a strong sense of fraternity while promoting professional excellence and engagement in the broader field of media and communication.
