The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, MARCH 8, 2025
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, while addressing a state-level International Women’s Day celebration at Lok Seva Bhawan, delivered an inspiring message encouraging every girl in Odisha to dream fearlessly. He urged them to overcome societal barriers with self-confidence, declaring, “This is your time, your moment, and this is your Odisha.”
The Chief Minister emphasized that true empowerment is not merely financial aid but ensuring that women have the right to make decisions within families and society. He affirmed the government’s commitment to empowering Odisha’s women economically, socially, and politically, enabling them to make independent decisions in all aspects of life.
Highlighting the transformative journey underway in Odisha, CM Majhi lauded the successful implementation of the “Subhadra” scheme, which he described as a historic initiative set to empower one crore women. He credited the program with rewriting Odisha’s development narrative and thanked all stakeholders for their contributions to its success.
Criticizing the previous administration, the Chief Minister remarked, “They talk about supporting women with Rs 27 per day, but can they claim to have provided even 24 paise in 24 years for women’s upliftment?” He reiterated his government’s pledge to provide Rs 10,000 annually — amounting to Rs 50,000 in five years — through the Subhadra scheme to enhance women’s welfare.
In pursuit of holistic empowerment, the Chief Minister announced a series of upcoming initiatives including ‘Kishori Subhadra’, ‘Subhadra Sanchay’, ‘Subhadra Sakhi’, ‘Subhadra Yatri’, ‘Subhadra Sangh’, ‘Subhadra Kuh Subhadra’, ‘Subhadra Sahayogi’, ‘Subhadra Pandit’, and ‘Sujogya Subhadra’. He affirmed that Odisha’s journey towards women-led development would continue undeterred.
Reinforcing the state’s commitment to women’s safety, CM Majhi launched the ‘Shakti’ app, a digital platform designed to provide immediate emergency assistance to women at the press of a button. Describing it as “God-sent,” he expressed confidence that the app would serve as a vital protective shield and empowerment tool for women in Odisha.
Additionally, the Chief Minister unveiled the Odisha State Strategic Action Plan (2024-2029) to curb child marriages, further strengthening efforts for gender equality and social progress.
Reflecting on Indian traditions that honor women, CM Majhi paid tribute to prominent female figures from history and Odisha’s cultural heritage, including Kuntala Kumari Sanat, Sarala Devi, Rama Devi, Malati Choudhary, Annapurna Maharana, and Parvati Giri. He also acknowledged modern-day leaders like President Droupadi Murmu, Speaker Surma Padhi, and Deputy CM Pravati Parida for their impactful contributions.
The Chief Minister concluded by urging citizens to support the ongoing movement for women’s empowerment, stating, “We will create a future that is bold, inclusive, and full of possibilities. We will build a society free from gender discrimination.”
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida highlighted the government’s unwavering dedication to women’s advancement. Emphasizing the importance of safety in achieving meaningful progress, she commended grassroots workers for their role in ensuring the success of the Subhadra Yojana. “Today is a day of determination for us to create a safe environment where women can thrive,” she said.
During the event, several individuals were honored for their contributions to social welfare, including District Social Welfare Officer Nabarangpur Draupadi Kahanr, District Child Protection Officer Sundargarh Shrivant Jena, and Anganwadi worker Yashswini Mohapatra from Rayagada district. Others recognized included Bimala Kishori Khes (Sundargarh), Smritilata Parida (Mayurbhanj), Gitanjali Nayak (Keonjhar), Subratarani Behera (Puri), Sabita Burma (Balangir), Baidehi Duru (Malkangiri), and Ashrumani Hemram (Mayurbhanj).
