Puri: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday highlighted his government’s commitment to women’s empowerment and welfare, stating that women constitute nearly half of the state’s population and their development remains a key priority.
Addressing a state-level gathering of 2,658 Habisyalis (women observing Kartik Brata) from 29 districts in the holy city of Puri, the Chief Minister also emphasised the cultural and spiritual significance of Kartik Brata and the facilities being provided by the state government to ensure a comfortable and safe observance.
Describing Kartik Brata as more than a religious ritual, Majhi said it symbolises the patience, perseverance and devotion of mothers. He said the sacred observance represents a unique confluence of self-purification, sacrifice, surrender and devotion.
“In Odisha, the month of Kartik has a deep-rooted connection with our culture, traditions and spiritual consciousness,” the Chief Minister said, highlighting the special religious significance attached to the observance.
He said that in the past, women had to stay in monasteries and religious rest houses across Srikshetra while observing the religious vow, often facing considerable hardships. However, the state government has now introduced comprehensive arrangements under the Rai Damodar Brata, also known as Habisyali Brata, to ensure their safety, comfort and convenience.
This year, accommodation facilities have been arranged for the Habisyalis at Brundabati Niwas, the Railway Tourist Complex and Mochi Sahi Kalyan Mandap.
The facilities include Mahaprasad meals, evening devotional programmes featuring bhajans and spiritual discourses, and the free distribution of essential materials required for observing the Brata. Each beneficiary is being provided with a kit containing a saree, Japa Mala, a religious book on the Brata, an uttariya and dry prasad.
The state government has allocated more than Rs 3.30 crore for these arrangements, officials said.
During the programme, Majhi interacted with the Habisyalis and enquired about their well-being, accommodation facilities and the arrangements made for their convenience.
Highlighting the government’s initiatives for women’s economic empowerment, the Chief Minister said more than one crore women in Odisha were receiving annual financial assistance of Rs 10,000 under the Subhadra Yojana.
He further said nearly 27 lakh women had become self-reliant through the Lakhpati Didi initiative, placing Odisha among the leading-performing states in the country.
Around 40 per cent of the state’s current budget, amounting to Rs 1,22,764 crore, has been earmarked for women’s development and welfare, Majhi said.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the Shri Jagannath Darshan Yojana (SJDY), which aims to fulfil the aspirations of senior citizens to visit the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri and seek the blessings of the deity.
Under the scheme, senior citizens from different districts are brought to Puri in air-conditioned buses for darshan of Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath and to partake in Mahaprasad.
He also referred to the saturation programme under the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY), stating that eligible individuals above 60 years of age could apply for social security pension benefits. He assured that eligible applicants would receive their pensions by the time they completed their religious observance and returned home.
Speaking about the government’s efforts to preserve Odisha’s cultural identity and heritage, Majhi said the administration was guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi’ (Development as well as Heritage).
He listed several initiatives undertaken to promote the heritage of Lord Jagannath, including the reopening of all four gates of the Shree Jagannath Temple, the establishment of a Rs 500 crore corpus fund, the development of a world-class museum and research centre in Puri, and the decision to upgrade the pilgrim town into a Municipal Corporation.
These initiatives are aimed at transforming Puri into a world-class destination for religious and spiritual tourism, he said.
Among those present at the programme were Puri MP Sambit Patra, Brahmagiri MLA Upasna Mohapatra and Pipili MLA Ashrit Pattanayak.
Additional District Magistrate Sharat Chandra Behera delivered the welcome address. The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the Puri district administration and volunteers for making the necessary arrangements and ensuring the smooth conduct of the programme under the leadership and coordination of District Planning Board Chairman and Satyabadi MLA Om Prakash Mishra.
