Film screening, poetry recital and painting contests at IIT-H

Hyderabad: IIT-Hyderabad Women’s Cell celebrated the International Women’s Day with several events on campus on Friday. Under the theme of ‘Breaking Barriers,’ the Cell conducted a series of events including a two-km run, poetry recital and painting contests besides screening inspirational movies.

The movies screened on the occasion include ‘Queen of Katwe’ (2016), an American biographical drama film about the life of Phiona Mutesi, an Ugandan girl who lived in a slum in Katwe and went on to become a Woman Candidate Master after her victories at World Chess Olympiads, ‘Soni’ (2018) a film about a young policewoman in Delhi fighting violent crimes against women and ‘Mahanati’ (The Great Actress), a 2018 Telugu biographical film that received critical acclaim. Prizes were also given out to the winners during the event. Further, an exhibition was also organized, featuring the entries for the poetry recital and painting contests. Dr. Haripriya Narasimhan, Associate Professor and Head, Department of Liberal Arts, IIT Hyderabad, and Dr. Lopamudra Giri, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad, are the professors in charge of IIT Hyderabad Women’s Cell.

Addressing the celebrations, Dr. Anuradha Udumudi, Founder and Director, Genetech Hyderabad, said, “I think this is my iconic idea of women, it is not the zero size, it is not just the beauty, it is not just the intelligence, it is not just one single thing but it is being what you are, and being strong and then being passionate about what you do and expressing yourself freely and confidently.” Dr. Anuradha is actively involved in continuing medical education in genetics and has delivered more than 200 lectures in national and state level conferences as invited faculty, chaired sessions and panel discussions, conducted workshops for doctors, conducted more than 100 genetics awareness programs. She is regularly invited as an expert to AIR and TV channels.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Haripriya Narasimhan said, “Recognising a day for women is very important and especially for an educational institution as this is where young women are getting exposed to the world. They really need role models to learn how to proceed in life and to have a career and a family.” Dr. Lopamudra Giri, said, “Women should no longer adjust or balance, but break the barriers and be free.”