Bhubaneswar, May 21: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conducted a review meeting on two key initiatives under the Women and Child Development Department — the ‘Ame Padhiba Aama Bhasare’ programme and the ‘Mukhya Mantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana’.

Expanding Mother-Tongue Education

The ‘Ame Padhiba Aama Bhasare’ initiative, currently implemented in 15 districts across 10,629 Anganwadi centres, provides early education in 17 indigenous languages. These include Desia, Bhumija, Binjhal, Gondi, Ho, Sadri, Khadia, Bandaa, Mundaa, Koya, Kuvi, Kui, Saura, Santali, Oram, Kishan, and Juanga.

Odisha is the first state in India to adopt mother-tongue-based early education in Anganwadi centres, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

CM Majhi emphasised the importance of illustrated books based on local environments, helping children connect with their surroundings while learning.

Mukhya Mantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana: Support for Widows

The Mukhya Mantri Kanya Bibaha Yojana, aimed at financially assisting poor families with daughters’ marriages, will now include widows under its eligibility criteria. CM Majhi directed officials to ensure collective wedding arrangements and provide government-sponsored gifts for brides.

The scheme complements existing social security programs, including inter-caste marriage incentives, differently-abled marriage assistance, and labour welfare schemes. The government has allocated ₹12 crore for the initiative this year.

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