International Widows Day was celebrated in Rourkela on 23rd June 2019 under the aegis of Community Welfare Society. The venue for the celebrations was Rourkela Municipal Corporation Fitness Park. It was the fifth consecutive year that CWS is organizing this programme in collaboration with the widows from various slums of Rourkela. The chief guset for the programme was Pratima Kerketta, Jharsuguda Block Panchayat Officer. She highlighted various welfare programmes of the Government for widows. Secretary of CWS highlighted why the organization is trying to organize widows; widows are persons who experience a lot of loneliness in their lives. So it is very much needed that they remain connected with persons of similar life conditions. In view of this purpose CWS is forming Self Help Groups of Widows in slums to create support groups for widows, to share their pains, concerns and anxieties. Presently there are 35 SHGs of widows functioning in various slums of Rourkela. The organization makes available health care and educational facilities for the families of widows at a concessional rates too. Every three months leaders of these widow groups come together to discuss their common concerns. After the speeches by the dignitaries there was a Bhajan singing competition and other various games for widows. The bhajan singing competition was a melodious programme where ardent prayers were made to the almighty for protection and help. Women belonging to different religions sang to Gods they believe in and all prayed along forgetting the differences and united in purpose. The programme gave a fillip to their need for unity and peace. Finally the programme was concluded with the national anthem and a sumptuous meal was served.