Bhubaneswar: As the morning sun casts long shadows across the Lingaraj Temple's ancient stones, Bhubaneswar is already stirring with activity. College students gather in small groups, carrying handmade cards, carefully wrapped gifts, and plans that have been weeks in the making.
"Women's Day wasn't always such a big deal here," explains Ankit Mohanty, a 22-year-old engineering student. "Growing up, I barely noticed it. But social media has changed everything—we're now part of a global conversation about gender equality, and it feels important to participate in our own way."
This participation takes countless forms across the city, reflecting both traditional Odia values and contemporary global awareness.
Brothers Becoming Allies
For many young men in Bhubaneswar, Women's Day has become an opportunity to express appreciation for their sisters through acts of service traditionally reserved for women in the household.
Soumya Ranjan, a 19-year-old undergraduate, describes his annual ritual: "I wake up early to make chai for my sister before she starts her day. It's simple, but it reverses our usual roles. Then I take over her chores for the day—cooking, cleaning, everything. It started as a joke three years ago, but now it's our tradition."
This role reversal has deeper meaning in a society where domestic responsibilities often fall disproportionately on women.
"The first year I did this, my sister laughed," Soumya continues. "By evening, she was emotional. She said, 'You've experienced my daily life for just one day, and you're exhausted. Now imagine doing this every day while also managing college and career.' That conversation changed how I view household work."
Digital Tributes and Public Appreciation
Social media platforms buzz with activity as young Bhubaneswarites share tributes to influential women in their lives. Instagram stories feature mothers who balanced careers with childcare, teachers who inspired academic pursuits, and sisters who offered unwavering support.
"I create a video montage every year with photos of my mother, grandmother, and female professors," shares Priyanka Das, a journalism student. "It's my way of documenting their impact on my life and telling their stories publicly. Last year, my mother called me crying after seeing her life journey compiled that way."
These digital celebrations extend beyond family. Many youth organizations coordinate public acknowledgment campaigns for women working in underappreciated roles.
"We organized a flash mob at Master Canteen Square last year to honor traffic police women," explains Rohan Mishra of Youth for Social Change. "These women stand for hours in Bhubaneswar's scorching heat, managing chaotic traffic. We presented them with handwritten letters from citizens and hydration kits. The surprise on their faces was unforgettable."
Educational Institutions Leading Change
Across Bhubaneswar's numerous educational institutions, Women's Day has become an opportunity for substantive programming rather than performative celebrations.
At Utkal University, male students organized a workshop on bystander intervention. "We wanted to go beyond symbolic gestures," explains Debashish Pattnaik, event organizer. "We brought in experts to teach concrete skills—how to safely intervene when witnessing harassment, how to be better allies. The room was packed with guys who genuinely wanted to learn."
KIIT University took a different approach, hosting a "Hidden Figures" event highlighting the achievements of local women entrepreneurs and scientists whose stories remain untold.
"The media covers famous women, but we wanted to spotlight the innovators working quietly in our own city," says Aditi Tripathy, student coordinator. "We invited a female quantum physicist from the Institute of Physics and a woman who started Odisha's first organic farming collective. Their journeys were incredible and so relevant to our own aspirations."
Conversations at Home
Perhaps the most significant shift is occurring in private homes, where Women's Day has catalyzed meaningful family discussions about gender.
Vikram Patnaik, a 20-year-old commerce student, describes his family's tradition: "Every Women's Day, my father, brother and I prepare dinner while my mother and sister sit and talk with us about their experiences as women. We've learned about workplace challenges my mother never mentioned before, harassment my sister faced at college, and their perspectives on family dynamics."
These conversations have lasting impacts. "Two years ago, my sister described how exhausting it is to constantly worry about safety when traveling alone at night," Vikram continues. "Now, without her asking, I always track her location when she's out late and check in. These small habits formed because Women's Day gave us space to really listen."
Beyond Celebration to Action
For many young people, the day has evolved from celebration to commitment. College campuses across Bhubaneswar host pledge ceremonies where students—particularly men—commit to specific actions supporting gender equality throughout the year.
"Last Women's Day, I pledged to call out sexist jokes in my friend group," shares Abhinav Sahoo, a technology student. "It was uncomfortable at first, but it's changed our dynamic completely. This year, I'm committing to ensuring equal speaking time for female classmates during group projects."
These pledges reflect a growing recognition that meaningful support extends beyond a single day of acknowledgment.
As evening falls across Bhubaneswar and families gather for dinner, many households experience small but significant departures from routine. Sons serve mothers first, brothers clear dishes without being asked, and conversations linger on women's experiences and achievements.
In these moments—some public and celebratory, others private and reflective—Bhubaneswar's youth are redefining what it means to honor Women's Day, creating traditions that blend respect with action, appreciation with allyship, and celebration with commitment to change.
