Bhubaneswar: Odisha is committed to building a well-nourished state by improving nutrition outcomes among women and children and strengthening the implementation of nutrition programmes, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said on Tuesday.
Addressing the state-level ‘Angan Ka Utsav’ and the ninth National Nutrition Month celebration at an Anganwadi centre in Baramunda, Bhubaneswar, Majhi said the government was implementing several nutrition programmes through Anganwadi centres and schools and was increasingly involving the entire family in improving children’s nutritional status.
He stressed the importance of involving fathers and other family members alongside mothers, particularly during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.
According to the Chief Minister, more than 46 lakh activities were successfully conducted across Odisha during Nutrition Month, while the state ranked first in the country in Aadhaar verification.
Majhi credited Anganwadi workers, helpers, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) and ASHA workers for improvements in child immunisation, institutional deliveries and the reduction in child and maternal mortality in Odisha.
“The real credit for these achievements goes to our Anganwadi workers, helpers, ANMs and ASHA workers,” he said, highlighting their grassroots-level service.
Majhi said Odisha, which had earlier been among the states with the highest child and maternal mortality rates, had now reached a satisfactory position on both indicators. He stressed that sustainable development was not possible without the welfare and empowerment of women.
Highlighting government initiatives for women, he referred to schemes including Subhadra Yojana, Lakhpati Didi, Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana and Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangal Yojana. He also said that at least 40% of the state government’s total budget was being spent on women.
The Chief Minister further said the government had made education up to the postgraduate level (M.A.) free in government and government-aided educational institutions. He said girls completing undergraduate education would receive financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh.
In healthcare, Majhi highlighted the Ayushman Bharat-Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana, under which cashless treatment is being provided at selected private hospitals across the country.
During the event, the Chief Minister distributed school kits to Anganwadi children and felicitated fathers who participated in a healthy food display. Anganwadi workers, helpers and ASHA workers were also honoured.
Majhi visited the Anganwadi centre, reviewed the quality of the ‘Triranga Thali’ and hot cooked meals, and served food to the children.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh, Women and Child Development Commissioner-cum-Secretary Dr Mrinalini Darswal and departmental director Monisha Banerjee were among those present at the event, along with Anganwadi workers, helpers, ASHA workers, children and their parents.
