Bhubaneswar, 29 September (H.S.): The Odisha Government is committed to building a well-nourished Odisha and is implementing several initiatives to improve the nutritional status of women and children, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said on Tuesday.

Addressing the state-level ‘Angan Ka Utsav’ and the 9th National Nutrition Month celebrations at an Anganwadi centre in Baramunda, Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister said several nutrition programmes were being implemented through Anganwadi centres and schools. He said efforts were also being made to involve the entire family in improving child nutrition, with men being encouraged to participate alongside women.

“Through greater awareness and effective implementation of various schemes, Odisha will certainly be established as a well-nourished state,” Majhi said.

The Chief Minister said more than 46 lakh activities had been successfully organised across the state during Nutrition Month. He also said Odisha had secured the first position in the country in the field of Aadhaar verification.

Emphasising the importance of the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, Majhi stressed the need for the active participation of fathers and other family members, along with mothers, in ensuring proper childcare and nutrition. He called upon everyone to contribute towards building a healthy, prosperous and developed Odisha.

Majhi said the credit for the significant improvement in child immunisation, the rise in institutional deliveries and the substantial reduction in infant and maternal mortality in the state goes to Anganwadi workers, helpers, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) and ASHA workers for their dedicated grassroots-level services.

He said Odisha had earlier been among the states with the second-highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the country, but had now reached a satisfactory position on both indicators.

Highlighting the importance of women’s welfare in the development process, the Chief Minister spoke about various initiatives being implemented for women’s empowerment, including the Subhadra Yojana, Lakhpati Didi, Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana and Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangal Yojana. He said at least 40 per cent of the state government’s total budget was being spent for women.

The Chief Minister also said that quality education and healthcare services had been made completely free in the state. Education up to the postgraduate (M.A.) level has been made completely fee-free in government and government-aided educational institutions, he said. He further said girl children would receive financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh after completing their graduation.

In the health sector, cashless treatment facilities are being provided at selected private hospitals across the country under the Ayushman Bharat-Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana, he added.

During the programme, Majhi distributed school kits to Anganwadi children and felicitated fathers who participated in the healthy food exhibition. Anganwadi workers, helpers and ASHA workers were also felicitated on the occasion.

The Chief Minister visited the Anganwadi centre and reviewed the quality of the ‘Triranga Thali’ and hot cooked meals being served to children. He also personally served food to the children.

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department Dr Mrinalini Darswal, Department Director Monisha Banerjee and other dignitaries were present at the event. Anganwadi workers, helpers, ASHA workers, children and their parents also attended the programme.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda