Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government will launch a month-long statewide cyber security awareness campaign from October 18 to November 17, 2025, aimed at sensitizing citizens about online safety and preventing cybercrimes.
A preparatory meeting for the campaign was held on Wednesday evening at Lok Seva Bhawan, chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja. The campaign will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at Kalinga Stadium, where he will flag off the “Cyber Rath” (Cyber Chariot) that will travel across the state to promote cyber awareness.
The initiative, themed “Stop, Verify, Be Secure”, will focus on protecting citizens—especially students, youth, women, and senior citizens—from online threats such as investment frauds, sextortion, fake job rackets, SIM and bank account scams, hotel booking frauds, and digital arrests. A special mascot named “Saira” will serve as the campaign’s symbol to make the message more relatable and engaging.
Both online and offline activities are planned, including street plays, folk dances, rallies, group runs, quiz contests, and awareness conferences. The campaign will also reach people through TV, radio, cinema halls, infographics, and social media.
Departments such as School and Mass Education, Higher Education, Information and Public Relations, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, and Odia Language, Literature and Culture will lead various outreach efforts. ASHA workers and self-help group members will take the message to rural communities, while students and teachers will participate in competitions and seminars on cyber safety.
A dedicated cybercrime helpline number—7030, linked to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, will be promoted widely to help citizens report incidents easily.
Emphasizing the importance of the initiative, Chief Secretary Ahuja directed officials to ensure that awareness efforts extend beyond the campaign month and become a year-round exercise. He also suggested integrating cyber safety education into school and college curricula, launching online certification courses, and strengthening institutional responses to cyber threats.
The meeting, convened by the State Home Department, was attended by DGP Y.B. Khurania, CID-Crime Branch DGP Vinaytosh Mishra, IG Sarthak Sarangi, SP Smit Paramar, and senior officials from various state departments including Higher Education, School and Mass Education, Health and Family Welfare, Social Welfare, Mission Shakti, and Information and Public Relations.
