Hans News Service Bhubaneswar

OdishaChief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday stressed the need for greater participation of fathers and other family members in ensuring proper nutrition and development of children, saying the State government is committed to building a well-nourished Odisha. Addressing the State-level celebration of Angan Ka Utsav and the 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah (National Nutrition Month) at an Anganwadi centre in Barmunda, Majhi said several nutrition-focused programmes are being implemented through Anganwadi centres and schools to improve the nutritional status of women and children.

He emphasised that the government is involving the entire family, including men, in efforts to improve children’s nutrition. “Through awareness and successful implementation of various programmes, we will certainly establish Odisha as a well-nourished State. The government is committed to a well-nourished Odisha,” Majhi said.

The Chief Minister noted that more than 46 lakh activities were successfully organised across the State during Poshan Maah and added that Odisha secured the first position in the country in Aadhaar verification. Highlighting the importance of the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, Majhi called for active participation of fathers and other family members alongside mothers in childcare and nutrition. He also appealed to people to contribute towards building a healthy, prosperous and developed Odisha.

Majhi credited Anganwadi workers, helpers, ANMs and ASHA workers for increasing child immunisation, promoting institutional deliveries and significantly reducing infant and maternal mortality in the State. He said Odisha, once among the states with the second-highest infant and maternal mortality rates, had now reached a satisfactory position.

He further highlighted women’s welfare initiatives, including Subhadra Yojana, Lakhpati Didi, Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana and Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangal Yojana, noting that at least 40 per cent of the State’s annual budget is spent on women. Majhi said education in government and government-aided institutions has been made fee-free up to the postgraduate level, with girl children set to receive Rs 1 lakh after completing graduation.

In healthcare, he said selected private hospitals across the country are providing cashless treatment under the Ayushman Bharat-Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana.

During the programme, Majhi distributed school kits to Anganwadi children and felicitated fathers who participated in healthy-food presentations. He also honoured Anganwadi workers, helpers and ASHA workers. The Chief Minister inspected the Tiranga Thali and hot-cooked meals served at the Anganwadi centre and personally served food to the children.

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh and senior officials, along with Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, children and their parents, attended the programme.