Bhubaneswar: In a unique initiative aimed at strengthening adolescent participation in governance and public policy, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Tuesday interacted with young people from across the state through ‘Advika Barta’, a first-of-its-kind statewide dialogue platform.
The programme, organised jointly by the Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) and UNICEF under the ‘A Day for Children’ initiative, created a platform for adolescents to directly engage with policymakers and share their concerns, aspirations and suggestions.
Held during Raja Parba celebrations, the event brought together adolescent girls and boys associated with Advika groups from different parts of Odisha. While a section of participants attended the programme physically at the Convention Centre in Bhubaneswar, representatives from all 30 districts joined virtually in the presence of district officials and local administrators.
During the nearly two-hour interaction, adolescents raised issues related to education, safety, gender equality, child rights, leadership opportunities, skill development and health. Many participants also spoke about their aspirations for the future and suggested ways to improve programmes and services designed for young people in the state.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida reiterated the Odisha government’s commitment to ensuring that adolescents have a meaningful role in shaping decisions that affect their lives. She encouraged young people to actively engage in leadership and community development initiatives while assuring them that their feedback and recommendations would be taken into consideration in future policy discussions.
The event also highlighted the role of digital connectivity in widening access to such participatory platforms. Through online participation from all districts, adolescents from remote and diverse regions of Odisha were able to engage directly with the Deputy Chief Minister and senior officials.
Among those present at the event were Babita Patra, Chairperson of the Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights; Prasanta Dash, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Odisha; and Sovana Mohanty, Chairperson of the Odisha State Commission for Women, along with other senior officials.
The programme was streamed through digital platforms, enabling wider public participation and drawing attention to the issues, leadership potential and aspirations of adolescents across Odisha. Officials said the initiative reflects a growing focus on child and adolescent-centred governance in the state.
