Bhubaneswar, Apr 19: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended the State-Level Poshan Paksha 2025 celebration as the chief guest, highlighting the state's commitment to child health and women empowerment. The event was held at the State Women and Child Development Institution in Bhubaneswar.

During the ceremony, the Chief Minister inaugurated new facilities, including a trainee residence, training centre, library, and an 84-bed hostel. Additionally, eight halls were named in honour of Odisha's distinguished women leaders. A nutritious food exhibition and a display of handmade toys were also showcased, reflecting innovative efforts toward awareness and development.

Addressing the audience, CM Majhi emphasised the importance of nutrition, stating that a healthy child is essential for building a prosperous future. He lauded the efforts of Anganwadi workers and teachers, calling them the “second mothers” of children and emphasizing their role in shaping the country's future. Despite progress, challenges like malnutrition and poor health awareness remain prevalent, particularly in impoverished communities.

The Odisha Chief Minister noted that initiatives such as the PM Poshan Yojana, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018, have yielded positive results over the past seven years. According to the NFHS-5 survey, stunting among children has decreased from 38.4% to 35.5%, while the percentage of underweight children has reduced from 21% to 19%.

CM Majhi also highlighted Odisha's impressive strides in creating women entrepreneurs through its Lakhpati initiative. With an 82% success rate, the state has produced 14 lakh Lakhpati Didis, aiming for 25 lakh by 2027. Majhi expressed confidence in achieving this target sooner than planned.

The event witnessed the participation of Deputy CM Prabhati Parida, departmental ministers, and officials of the Women and Child Welfare Department.

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