Hari Babu Kambhampati Archives - Odisha Connect

IPS Officer Ananya Awasthi Becomes First Woman ADC to Odisha Governor

OdishaConnect — Sun, 31 May 2026 09:43:34 +0000

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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President Droupadi Murmu Inaugurates Projects Worth ₹158 Crore During Sundargarh Visit

OdishaConnect — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:24:36 +0000

Grand Welcome in Rourkela
During her one-day visit to Sundargarh district, Droupadi Murmu received a grand welcome in Rourkela. She arrived at Jharsuguda Airport at around 10:20 AM, where she was welcomed by Hari Babu Kambhampati and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

She then proceeded to the Airport Ground in Sector-13 to attend the Adi Parab–2026 celebrations. Nearly 2,500 students presented patriotic songs along with Santali, Karma, Sambalpuri, and Odissi dance performances as a mark of respect.

Interaction with Students and SHGs
The President interacted warmly with the performers, greeting students, shaking hands, and taking photographs. She also visited stalls set up by women Self-Help Groups (SHGs), appreciating their products and engaging with members.

Inauguration of Major Development Projects
Addressing the gathering at around 12:25 PM, President Murmu inaugurated four key development projects worth approximately ₹158 crore for Rourkela and Sundargarh. These include:

Integrated Command and Control Centre – ₹48 crore
Tribal Museum – ₹40 crore
Nirmal Munda Entrance Gate – ₹42.44 crore
Science Park and Planetarium – ₹27 crore

These projects aim to strengthen urban infrastructure, preserve tribal heritage, and promote scientific learning in the region.

Dignitaries Present at the Event
The event was attended by the Governor, the Chief Minister, the Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly, and local legislators, underlining its importance for regional development.

President’s Simplicity Wins Hearts
Despite holding the highest office in the country, President Murmu once again displayed her humility and simplicity. At Hanuman Vatika Square, she stepped out of her convoy, breaking protocol to greet people personally.

She also distributed chocolates to children and interacted with locals who had gathered in the intense 44-degree heat to see her.

Her gestures of warmth and accessibility left a strong impression on the people of Sundargarh, highlighting her close connection with citizens.

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Education Key to Building the Future of Individuals and Nation: Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati

OdishaConnect — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:28:37 +0000

Emphasizing the crucial role of education in shaping the future of individuals, society, and the nation, Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati stated that teachers play a fundamental role in building responsible citizens and strengthening the country’s future.

The Governor made these remarks while inaugurating the National Conference–2026 on capacity building for stakeholders to implement the National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST) and National Mission for Mentoring (NMM) at Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar on Friday.

Participation from Multiple States

The conference witnessed participation from educationists, teachers, policymakers, and administrators from several states including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, Tripura, and West Bengal.

Representatives from State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), District Institutes of Education and Training (DIET), Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, CBSE schools, and state board institutions also attended the conference, reflecting the diversity and collaborative spirit of India’s education ecosystem.

Teachers at the Centre of Educational Transformation

Addressing the gathering, the Governor said teachers shape the mindset, curiosity, and sense of responsibility among students. Referring to India’s ancient guru–shishya tradition, he highlighted the timeless importance of educators in building knowledge, values, and character.

He added that in today’s rapidly evolving world, the education system must adapt to new realities driven by technology, artificial intelligence, digital connectivity, and global collaboration. Students should be prepared not only for examinations but also for innovation, entrepreneurship, and global challenges.

NEP 2020 Driving Education Reforms

Governor Kambhampati noted that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the National Education Policy 2020 provides a comprehensive roadmap to transform India’s education system to meet 21st-century needs.

He also praised Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for translating this vision into concrete initiatives aimed at strengthening teacher empowerment and educational reforms.

Strengthening Teachers Through NPST and NMM

Highlighting key initiatives under NEP 2020, the Governor said the National Professional Standards for Teachers provide educators with a clear professional identity, defining expectations, competencies, and career development pathways.

Similarly, the National Mission for Mentoring aims to create a large pool of experienced professionals who can mentor school teachers across the country, enabling continuous professional development and cross-learning among educators.

These initiatives are expected to improve the quality of teaching and learning in classrooms while empowering teachers as mentors, facilitators, and innovators in education.

Messages from Education Leaders

During the conference, a message from Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and a video message from Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary were presented.

The event also featured addresses by IIT Bhubaneswar Director Shripad Karmalkar, National Council for Teacher Education Chairperson Pankaj Arora, and other academic leaders.

The conference aims to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders and accelerate the implementation of teacher development initiatives to enhance the quality of education across India.

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Congress Delegation Meets Governor Over Risa Mankadia’s Starvation Death

OdishaConnect — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 08:50:48 +0000

A 17-member delegation from the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) met Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati at 12 noon today to discuss the tragic starvation death of Risa Mankadia, a tribal woman from Jajpur district.

Background of the Incident

Risa Mankadia, a resident of Ward No. 10 in Mallahar Sahi under Ransol Gram Panchayat of Sukinda block in Jajpur district, allegedly died on October 22, 2025, due to starvation after being deprived of food for several days.

Following reports of her death, an inquiry team led by Leader of Congress Legislature Party Ashok Das visited the affected family on October 28, 2025, as per the direction of OPCC President Bhakta Charan Das. Subsequently, on October 30, 2025, the Jajpur District Congress Committee, under the leadership of its President, submitted a written complaint to the District Collector demanding action.

However, as no concrete steps were taken by the district administration, the Congress delegation sought intervention from the Governor today.

Key Demands Presented to the Governor

The delegation submitted a memorandum containing four major demands:

Immediate inclusion of all Mankadia tribal families under the Food Security Scheme.
Immediate rehabilitation of the Mankadia community.
Provision of permanent housing, safe drinking water, healthcare facilities, and road connectivity to their village.
Allocation of forest land rights to the Mankadias as per the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

The delegation also requested that the SC & ST Development Department conduct a detailed field inquiry in Sukinda block and take swift corrective measures.

Governor’s Response

After listening to the delegation, Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati reportedly assured the members that the issues raised would be examined seriously and appropriate steps would be taken to address their demands.

Delegation Members

The Congress team included:

Former Ministers: Sarat Rout and Debasish Nayak
Vice President, Srujan Abhiyan: Sudhanshu Deo
State Congress Spokesperson: Himanshu Lenka
Jajpur District President: Maguni Charan Jena
AICC Member: Madhusmita Acharya
Former District President: Manoj Rout
State Mahila Congress General Secretary: Swarna Banara
Adivasi Congress General Secretary: Hindu Jamuda
Congress Leader: Bibhu Prasad Rout

Several local Congress workers from Sukinda also joined the delegation.

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