Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has emphasized the importance of collective awareness in making Odisha a prosperous state by eradicating malnutrition. He was speaking at the State Level Poshan Pakhya-2025 event held at the Women and Child Institute in Bhubaneswar.
The CM highlighted the government’s commitment to improving nutrition in the state, announcing the establishment of the ‘Odisha Pushti Mission’ with a grant of Rs 100 crore. He also mentioned the allocation of Rs 284 crore in the budget to provide nutritious food to women and children under the Poshan Abhiyan.
Majhi stressed that a healthy child is crucial for a bright future and that the government’s focus on nutrition would yield positive results. He also announced an increase in assistance amount for girl children under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana from Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000.
The Chief Minister urged Anganwadi workers and supervisors to play a vital role in eliminating malnutrition, emphasizing their responsibility in providing basic education and nutrition to children. He also called for a ‘Whole of Government Approach’ to ensure the success of the Poshan Abhiyan, involving departments such as health, education, and Panchayati Raj.
During the event, Majhi inaugurated a new hostel with 84 beds, a library hall, and an Anganwadi training centre at the State Women and Child Institute. He announced that eight buildings of the institute would be named after great women of Odisha, including the conference hall, which would be named after Ramadevi.
The auditorium hall of the institute has been named as Sarala Devi Auditorium, the library hall as Kamala Pujari Library, the Anganwadi Training Center as Sailabala Das Training Room, the new hostel as Malati Choudhury Nivas, the Anganwadi worker hostel as Bangara Devi Nivas and the guest house as Gurubari Jani Guest House.
“Our new government has started working with more focus on nutrition. ‘Odisha Pushti Mission’ will also be established with a grant of Rs 100 crore. This year, Rs 284 crore has been allocated in the budget to provide nutritious food to women and children under the Poshan Abhiyan,” Majhi said.
The event saw the participation of Deputy Chief Minister Parvati Parida, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, and other senior officials. The Chief Minister also presented awards to District Social Welfare Officers who excelled in maintaining nutrition aspects in their respective districts.
The Poshan Pariksha, observed from April 8 to 22, aims to create a mass movement to eliminate child malnutrition. The government hopes to achieve zero percent malnutrition by 2036, creating a prosperous Odisha.
