Bhubaneswar: Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Tuesday inaugurated the Panchatatwa Park and launched the SUPOSHIT Odisha Mission (SOM) at the State Institute for Women & Children (SIWC) in Bhubaneswar.
The Deputy CM also laid the foundation stone for Subhadra Resource Centre on the occasion, reaffirming the government’s commitment to the welfare of women and children.
Stressing that the fight against malnutrition begins at home, she issued a clarion call to educate mothers at the grassroots level, empowering them with the knowledge to ensure their children’s health.
Strongly favouring ‘localization of nutritious food,’ Parida urged the community to rely on locally available, nutrient-rich resources rather than processed alternatives.
Making a unique appeal to citizens, she encouraged people to celebrate personal milestones, such as birthdays, by distributing fruits to local Anganwadi children.
The Panchatat
wa Park inaugurated by Parida is based on the five essential elements of nature (Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space).
The facility includes an Acupressure Path. There is a circular path in the shape of the number “8,” where pebbles, stones, and sand have been used. This helps improve blood circulation and provides mental peace. Similarly, an open-air gym will serve as a center to connect women and children with nature.
The Deputy CM laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Subhadra Resource Centre and a 400-seater modern auditorium to be built at the SIWC campus with an estimated investment of Rs 35.70 crore.
This integrated facility, which will include a Toy Museum and Cafeteria, will serve as a dynamic hub for capacity building, research, and policy initiatives for women and children.
Inaugurating the two-day State-level Orientation-cum-Capacity Building Workshop under the SUPOSHIT Odisha Mission, Parida said the goal is to strengthen Anganwadi workers at the grassroots level.
The SOM initiative focuses on transforming Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) into malnutrition-free zones. Centres with no underweight or malnourished children will be declared “SUPOSHIT,” and the respective workers will receive public recognition. A dedicated dashboard will monitor the real-time progress of each centre across the state.