Bhubaneswar, 23 December (H.S.): Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Pravati Parida on Tuesday asserted that social equality is the cornerstone of a Viksit Odisha, reaffirming the State Government’s resolve to build a healthy, progressive and superstition-free society for future generations.

She was addressing a state-level workshop on the Prevention of Witch-Hunting Atrocities and Prohibition of Child Marriage, organised by the Women and Child Development Department at the State Convention Hall in Bhubaneswar. The Deputy Chief Minister attended the programme as the Chief Guest.

Highlighting the crucial role played by women in Odisha’s rural economy, Smt. Parida said that education and sustained awareness are the most effective tools to eradicate regressive social practices such as witch-hunting and child marriage. She called upon government officials to proactively reach out to villages and households to spread awareness against superstition and deeply entrenched social evils.

Urging officials to go beyond routine administrative responsibilities, the Deputy Chief Minister emphasized that interventions must be guided by humanity, empathy and a strong sense of social responsibility. “A developed Odisha is possible only when every citizen, especially women and children, lives with dignity, security and equality,” she said.

The workshop was attended by Principal Secretary, Women and Child Development Department, Smt. Shubha Sharma, Director Smt. Monisha Banerjee, Additional Secretaries and other senior departmental officials. Participants included Block Development Officers from all 314 blocks, District Education Officers from 30 districts, Project Officers (PO-cum-PO), Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) and District Coordinators (DHEW), reflecting wide administrative participation from across the State.

Addressing the gathering, Principal Secretary Smt. Shubha Sharma underlined the need to complement strict legal enforcement with mass awareness campaigns to effectively combat social evils. She outlined various initiatives undertaken by the department and stressed that collective and coordinated action among stakeholders is essential to eliminate such inhuman practices from society.

The workshop featured technical sessions focusing on the legal framework and implementation mechanisms. Eminent lawyer and social activist Ms. Manasi Padhi, during the first session, provided an in-depth overview of the Odisha Prevention of Witch-Hunting Act, 2013, highlighting its provisions and enforcement challenges. In the second session, social activist Shri Benudhar Senapati elaborated on the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, offering practical insights into prevention strategies and community-level intervention.

The programme began with a welcome address by Director Smt. Monisha Banerjee, while Additional Secretary Smt. Sumitra Pattnaik proposed the vote of thanks, marking the conclusion of the workshop. Officials expressed confidence that the deliberations would strengthen grassroots-level efforts to eradicate witch-hunting and child marriage, contributing to a more just and inclusive Odisha.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda