Centenary Celebration of Indian Youth Association (IUCA) Held in Barpali

Centenary Celebration of Indian Youth Association (IUCA) Held in Barpali

Barpali, Bargarh District: The Indian Youth Association (IUCA) celebrated its centenary with great enthusiasm and grandeur in Barpali. The event was organized by My FinHub Financial Relaxation. The association, founded on December 17, 1924, by Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh and his comrades in Sialkot, has a rich history of patriotism and social reform. Its 50th anniversary was celebrated in Germany, and its 75th anniversary was marked in Russia.

The centenary event's chief guest was Dr. Davinder Singh Sandhu, IUCA’s National Director, neurologist, senior litterateur, social thinker, and cultural art director from Ashok Nagar, Madhya Pradesh. The event also saw the presence of esteemed dignitaries such as social worker Sudhir Pujahari, senior litterateur Soubhagya Bant Maharana, Dr. Radhakrishna Vishwakarma, Sardar Preetam Singh, Mrs. Prema Pansari, and My FinHub Directors Jayprakash Agarwal and Santosh Badhei.

The event began with the hoisting of IUCA’s emblematic flag and the honoring of Shaheed Smarak by the chief guest. This was followed by visits to the shrine of Odisha’s goddess Samaleswari, the memorial of poet Gangadhar Meher, Mahatma Gandhi’s statue at Gandhi Chowk, and the statue of freedom fighter Bhagirathi Pattnaik in Kadlipali, where floral tributes were offered.

Jayprakash Agarwal, the event’s chairman and organizer, presided over the gathering. Chief Guest Dr. Davinder Singh Sandhu highlighted untold stories from Bhagat Singh’s life and shared insights into the formation of IUCA.

During the event, 16 eminent personalities were honored for their exceptional contributions in various fields at the national level. Several artists captivated the audience with their performances. Master Krishna Agarwal and Shreya Jalan presented a dramatic depiction of Bhagat Singh’s life, moving the audience to tears. Bhavanshi Pradhan performed Odissi dance, while Supreeti Bhoi and Adyasha Panigrahi recited poetry. Surendra Panigrahi and Sunil Vibhar showcased mesmerizing tabla and flute performances, while Samreen Dash presented a patriotic dance. Manpreet Kaur’s Punjabi Bhangra, Divyasha’s Odia patriotic song, and Bhola Shankar and Purnima’s rendition of "Mera Rang De Basanti Chola" were highlights of the event.

Gratitude was expressed to various supporting organizations, including Aditya Birla Capital, Care Health Insurance, ICICI Prudential, and My FinHub, who received mementos for their contributions to the event's success. The program was skillfully hosted by IUCA’s Provincial President Mrs. Renu Agarwal and teacher Mrs. Khushboo Sharma, with special assistance from Namita Nayak.

The second segment of the event saw awards being presented to My FinHub’s best-performing employees, followed by an enriching poetry session featuring readings by the chief guest and other poets. The centenary celebration ended with a promise to uphold IUCA’s values and legacy.