Odisha Governor Focuses On Spiritual Awareness To Stop Human Trafficking

Bhubaneswar: Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal on Wednesday called for synergising efforts of all stakeholders to eradicate human trafficking which is a dangerous phenomenon and a shame on human civilisation.

Releasing a set of five user-friendly handbooks on human trafficking for duty officers in Odisha at an event organised by anti-trafficking NGO Prajwala, US consulate General Hyderabad and Kalinga Fellowship, here, the Governor focused on spread of spiritual awareness about the human existence to stop the inglorious practice.

These handbooks represent a unique effort to collate existing laws, policies and judgments that empower duty officers to effectively tackle cases of human trafficking keeping the victim at the centre of focus, he said. 

Achyuta Samanta, MP and founder of KIIT and KISS said the human trafficking is an organised crime with transnational reach and collective approach is required to combat the menace effectively.  

The founder of Prajwala, Sunita Krishnan said lack of multi-stakeholder convergence in implementation of the existing legal statues and government schemes are multiple factors that have contributed to the growth of the crime.

The handbooks provide an accessible and comprehensive tool which collates Odisha government’s policies and executive orders related to human trafficking, she added. 

David Moyer, Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate Hyderabad focused on USA-India initiatives in the perspective of this global phenomenon and called for more concentrated action. 

Sashikanta Mishra, principal secretary, Law Department; Aravind Agarwal, Director, ICDS and Social Welfare; Tara Prasad Rath, Director of Prosecution; Rajesh Dash, member secretary, State Court Management System; Melita Fernades, Head, Government Relations, IJM and Mamata Borgoyary were among others present on the occasion.