Odisha Deputy Chief Minister and Women & Child Development Minister Pravati Parida on Monday launched a digital book aimed at creating awareness about the importance of the first 1,000 days of a child’s life. The book was unveiled at a programme held at the conference hall of the Women and Child Development Department in Bhubaneswar.

The digital publication has been designed in Odia to help parents and caregivers understand the critical stages of a child’s development from conception to the age of two years.

Increased Nutritional Support for Severely Underweight Children

On the occasion, the Deputy Chief Minister announced enhanced nutritional support for severely underweight children aged between six months and six years.

The daily cost of supplementary nutrition provided under government programmes has been increased from ₹8 to ₹12 per child. In addition, children will continue to receive ₹6 per day under the Mukhyamantri Sampoorna Pushti Yojana, taking the total nutritional support to ₹18 per child per day.

Around 35,000 severely underweight children across Odisha are expected to benefit from the initiative. The State Government will bear an additional annual expenditure of approximately ₹10.7 crore for the programme.

Higher Breakfast Allocation for Anganwadi Children

The government has also enhanced the breakfast allocation for pre-school children aged 3 to 6 years attending Anganwadi centres.

The daily breakfast allocation has been increased from ₹1.24 to ₹3.56 per child. The move will require an additional annual expenditure of approximately ₹126.83 crore from the state exchequer.

Together, both initiatives will result in an additional annual financial commitment of nearly ₹137.57 crore by the State Government.

Focus on the Critical First 1,000 Days

Addressing the gathering, Pravati Parida highlighted that the first 1,000 days of life—from conception until a child’s second birthday—are crucial for physical, cognitive, and emotional development.

She said the newly launched digital book provides simple and practical guidance on maternal and child care during this important period. The resource aims to empower families with knowledge that can contribute to healthier outcomes for both mothers and children.

Anganwadi Workers to Lead Awareness Campaign

The Minister informed that Anganwadi workers will use the digital book during home visits to educate beneficiaries about proper nutrition, healthcare, and child development practices.

The department also plans to disseminate the digital book widely through social media platforms and Anganwadi networks to ensure it reaches families across the state.

Call for Community Participation

Pravati Parida urged parents and family members to read and implement the recommendations provided in the digital book. She expressed confidence that widespread adoption of these practices would help achieve the vision of a “Healthy Mother, Healthy Child, Healthy Family” across Odisha.

Officials Attend Programme

The programme was attended by Women and Child Development Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Dr. Mrinalini Darswal, Director Monisha Banerjee, and other senior departmental officials.

District Social Welfare Officers, Child Development Project Officers, DC-Nutrition officials, and Supervisors from all districts participated virtually in the event.

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In a significant step towards improving citizen-centric governance and ensuring timely justice, the Housing & Urban Development (H&UD) Department organized a Special Camp Court at UNNATI Bhawan in Bhubaneswar on Friday.

The initiative was undertaken to expedite the disposal of appeal cases filed under the Odisha Development Authorities (ODA) Act, 1982, and reduce the backlog of pending cases.

Usha Padhee Presides Over Proceedings

The Camp Court was convened under the leadership of Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing & Urban Development Department. As the designated Appellate Authority for matters related to the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), she personally reviewed and heard a large number of pending appeals during the day-long session.

142 Cases Disposed of in a Single Day

A total of 142 appeal cases were heard and disposed of during the Special Camp Court. Most of the cases involved appeals filed by citizens against orders issued by BDA and BMC under the provisions of the ODA Act.

The successful disposal of such a large number of cases in a single day is expected to provide relief to citizens awaiting resolution of their grievances and contribute to reducing case pendency.

Strengthening Transparency and Accountability

Officials stated that the initiative reflects the Department’s commitment to transparent, responsive, and accessible governance. By offering citizens an effective platform to challenge administrative decisions and seek redressal of grievances, the Camp Court reinforced the principles of fairness, accountability, and due process.

Decentralized Appellate System to Speed Up Case Disposal

As part of broader reforms, the state government has recently designated senior officers, including Special Secretaries and Additional Secretaries, as Appellate Authorities for similar cases. This decentralized mechanism is expected to further accelerate the disposal of appeals and improve service delivery in urban areas.

Positive Response from Citizens

The Special Camp Court received an encouraging response from citizens and stakeholders. The Housing & Urban Development Department has announced plans to continue such initiatives in a phased and time-bound manner to clear pending cases and strengthen public confidence in urban governance institutions.

The move is being seen as an important step toward making governance more efficient, transparent, and citizen-friendly across Odisha.

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Historic Appointment at Raj Bhavan

Bhubaneswar, May 31: In a landmark move, Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati has appointed IPS officer Ananya Awasthi as the Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the Governor, making her the first woman to hold the prestigious position in the state’s history.

The appointment marks a significant milestone for women’s representation in public service and law enforcement in Odisha.

Formal Induction Ceremony Held

A formal induction ceremony was held at Lok Bhavan, where Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati welcomed Ananya Awasthi to her new role as the Police ADC. Senior officials from the Governor’s Secretariat attended the event and extended their congratulations to the officer.

Before taking up her new assignment, Awasthi was serving as Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), UPD, Cuttack.

A Milestone for Women in Public Service

Ananya Awasthi’s appointment is being viewed as a historic achievement, as she becomes the first woman officer to serve as ADC to the Governor of Odisha. Her elevation to the role reflects the growing participation of women in leadership positions within the police force and public administration.

The appointment is expected to inspire more women to pursue careers in public service and law enforcement.

Succeeds IPS Officer Kuldeep Meena

Awasthi succeeds IPS officer Kuldeep Meena, who previously served as the Police ADC to the Governor. She will now take over the responsibilities associated with the prestigious post.

Role of the Governor’s Aide-de-Camp

The Governor of Odisha is assisted by two Aides-de-Camp—one from the Indian Navy and another from the Odisha Police. While Ananya Awasthi will serve as the Police ADC, Lieutenant Harshit Deo of the Indian Navy will continue in his role as the Naval ADC.

The ADC plays a crucial role in assisting the Governor during official engagements, ceremonial events, state functions, and protocol-related duties, ensuring the smooth conduct of official activities at Raj Bhavan.

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Police Take Departmental Action After Balianta Incident

Following the shocking mob lynching incident in Balianta, the police administration has taken strict departmental action against several personnel over alleged negligence in duty and failure to maintain law and order.

As part of the action, Balianta Police Station Inspector-in-Charge Anil Parida has been transferred to the Bhubaneswar police headquarters. Along with him, one Sub-Inspector, one Assistant Sub-Inspector, one OAPF personnel and one constable have been suspended.

Additionally, two home guards have also been removed from duty in connection with the incident.

Police officials stated that the action was taken considering the seriousness of the case and alleged lapses during the violence. Tension continues to prevail in the area, prompting authorities to increase security and maintain heightened vigilance.

Crime Branch Begins Detailed Investigation

The investigation into the sensational killing has now been handed over to the Odisha Crime Branch. Two separate teams comprising around 10 officers have been formed to probe the incident from all angles.

The Crime Branch team reached Balianta Police Station at around 11:38 AM and collected all investigation records prepared by the local police since the day of the incident.

Later in the afternoon, the Crime Branch officials visited the crime scene and conducted a detailed examination of the area.

Police Personnel and Witnesses Questioned

The Crime Branch has reportedly questioned all police personnel who were present on duty during the incident, including PCR staff member Ram Chandra Behera.

Crime Branch SP Aniruddha Routaray also inspected a nearby buffalo shed from where ropes and bamboo sticks were allegedly brought to tie up the victim, Soumyaranjan.

Investigators are now trying to reconstruct the sequence of events and determine the exact circumstances that led to the brutal killing.

Accused May Be Taken on Remand

Sources said the Crime Branch may seek remand of the arrested accused persons for further interrogation. Investigators have also brought the victim girl’s uncle under the scanner and are expected to question him as part of the probe.

Officials believe that his questioning could help uncover more details about the chain of events and the involvement of other accused persons.

So far, police have arrested 11 people in connection with the case.

What Happened on the Day of the Incident?

The horrifying incident took place in broad daylight on the Ramchandrapur Bridge near the capital city, sending shockwaves across Odisha.

The victim, identified as Soumyaranjan Swain, allegedly died after being brutally assaulted by a mob. His friend Om Prakash Rout was also injured in the attack.

According to initial allegations, Soumyaranjan and Om Prakash were travelling on a motorcycle when they reportedly overtook two young women. Soon after, allegations surfaced accusing them of attempting misconduct with the women.

Local villagers who rushed to the spot allegedly assaulted the duo, leading to Soumyaranjan’s death.

Family Alleges Planned Murder

However, the victim’s family has strongly denied the allegations and claimed that Soumyaranjan was deliberately murdered in a planned manner.

Meanwhile, a friend of the deceased recently stated that the motorcycle lost balance after an argument during the ride, causing it to collide with the women’s scooter accidentally.

The conflicting versions of events have raised serious questions, and the Crime Branch is now investigating to determine the truth behind the incident.

State Shocked by Brutal Mob Violence

The brutal nature of the killing has triggered widespread outrage across Odisha, with many demanding strict punishment for those involved and accountability from the police administration.

As the Crime Branch continues its investigation, all eyes are now on the findings that may reveal the complete truth behind one of the most disturbing mob violence cases in recent times.

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