Domen Soren of Pokharia gram panchayat under Sarakana block in Mayurbhanj district brought glory to the State by winning a national award for helping 930 families getting 100-day work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Act (MGNREA).
Malati, another woman hailing from Koraput, has made significant contribution to the success of various Government programmes. Her efforts have helped local people getting access to tube-well water.
There are many such Domen and Malati in the tribal-dominated Koraput, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Myurbhanaj and Jharsuguda districts. These women leading ordinary life have developed leadership empowered with knowledge and skills by the Poorest Area Civil Society (PACS) and 32 partner organisations.
Experts attending a three-day conclave on community leadership held at Bhanja Kala Mandap here opined participation of common people in Government programmes bring enormous changes in the socio-economic life of the local people.
Many voluntary outfits, including CYSD Bikalap, Aaina and Thread participated in the conclave. Participants from 49 blocks of 14 districts vowed to continue their work in their areas on their own ways. On the occasion, change leaders Prasanna lima, Dharmaraj Rao and Mihir Mohanty were felicitated.