Bhubaneswar: On the auspicious occasion of Maha Bishuba Sankranti and the Odia New Year, the innovative programme ‘Aarohan’ was formally inaugurated today by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, at the ICWS campus in Bhubaneswar.
Marking a heartfelt cultural gesture, the Deputy Chief Minister applied tikka to the children as a symbol of a new beginning, sending off the little buds to the next step of their lives with the Arohan kit, blessings and encouragement. Reflecting the spirit of the initiative, the programme carries the tagline “Ujwala Bhabisyat Pain Pade Agaku”, underscoring a collective step forward towards a brighter future for every child. The initiative has been launched by the Department of Women and Child Development.
The primary objective of this ambitious initiative is to strengthen the foundation of Early Childhood Education across the state and ensure a smooth transition of children from Anganwadi centres to Bal Vatika-3 after completing their pre-primary learning.
Addressing the children and parents present at the event, the Deputy Chief Minister emphasized that the first six years of a child’s life are the most crucial for brain development. She highlighted that, on the occasion of Poshan Pakhya- 2026, the government is prioritizing early childhood development. Stressing the role of family and society, she stated that this initiative is not solely the responsibility of the government, but that active participation and support from parents are essential to shape a bright future for children.
At the programme, the Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Department of Women and Child Development, Dr. Mrunalini Darswal, emphasized the need for active cooperation from all Anganwadi workers and officials to further strengthen Anganwadi centres and accelerate the holistic development of children.
The programme was also attended by Swoyam Prabha Mohanty, Additional Secretary and Director-in-Charge (ICDS & SW), Itishree Das, Additional Secretary, and N. C. Jyoti Ranjan, Additional Secretary of the WCD Department along with several senior officials from the department and partner organizations.
Additionally, Anganwadi workers at the grassroots level and parents of children actively participated in the event, contributing to its success.
