THE 11th state conference of DYFI Odisha State Committee was held at Berhampur on 27-28 June. The conference gave a call to strengthen the organization in the state by expanding it to new areas in the coming days and intensify struggle against the anti-people policies of the central as well as state governments and job for all.

The conference commenced with the hoisting of flag. Then, DYFI general secretary Avoy Mukherjee paid floral tribute to the martyrs’ column, followed by leaders and delegates at Saheed Laxman Nayak Community Hall in Hilpatna, Berhampur. Thereafter, delegates, observers and comrades from other mass organisations took out a colourful rally to the venue of the public meeting at Ramlingam Tank Road. The open session was attended by CPI(M) central committee member Janardan Pati, Alikishor Patnaik, Avoy Mukherjee, Suresh Sain and Basant Kumar Panda. The meeting was presided over by Jatin Mohanty.

Addressing the gathering, Mukherjee said DYFI, being the largest youth organisation in the country, faces a host of challenges as a fascist government is at the Centre. He said despite more than thirteen lakh central government posts lying vacant, the Modi dispensation has stopped recruitment although the unemployment amongst the youth is growing astronomically. He elaborated how the corporate entities are reaping the real benefits and people’s plight is worsening due to the Modi government’s policies though it came to power promising ‘achhe din’ to the masses. He called upon the youth to fight against the anti-people policies of the government and the danger of communal politics which is aimed at dividing the people.

Janardan Pati and Alikishore Patnaik, in their address, described the prevailing scenario in the country as well as of the state and indifference of the ruling classes towards the plight of the common people who have been suffering in every aspect of day-to-day life.

The delegate session started after the public meeting. It was attended by 120 delegates from various districts of Odisha. DYFI West Bengal state secretary Jamir Molla inaugurated the delegate session. In his speech, Molla reminded the delegates about the direction given by the distinguished guests in the open session in the present situation. He gave certain concrete proposal to strengthen and expansion of the organisation in Odisha. After the inauguration, DYFI Odisha state secretary Suresh Sain placed the report. On June 28, the delegate session resumed at 9AM. A number of delegates discussed on the report. A number of leaders from fraternal organisations greeted the conference.

After the discussion, DYFI genral secretary Mukherjee delivered his speech touching upon issues raised by the delegates during the discussion. He emphasised the necessity of strengthening the organisation. He informed that DYFI Central Executive Committee will organise an all-India rally in the month of November in Delhi against the neo-liberal policies and communal agenda of the Modi government. He hoped that a good number of delegates from the state committee will join the rally to make it a grand success. A 25-member new state committee was elected at the conference. Saroj Nayak was elected as new president and Jatin Mohanty the new secreatry of DYFI Odisha State Committee. The conference concluded with the vow to strengthen the state committee by expanding it to new areas in the coming days.