Bhubaneswar, Jul 20: In a decisive yet empathetic response to growing concerns about student safety, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday launched 'Shaktishree' — a landmark initiative that blends technology, mentorship, and institutional reform to create safer, more supportive learning spaces for students, especially young women.

This initiative doesn’t merely react to an isolated tragedy; it thoughtfully addresses longstanding gaps in campus safety and emotional well-being. That it comes so swiftly after the unfortunate incident in Balasore speaks volumes of the Chief Minister’s sensitivity and political will to protect the state’s youth.

Shaktishree aims to empower students in the truest sense — both physically and mentally. The initiative spans over 700 colleges and 16 universities, showing a level of planning that is both expansive and inclusive. The dedicated mobile app, at the centre of the programme, is a quiet yet powerful tool: it provides a secure space for students to register grievances anonymously, seek urgent help via an SOS feature, and access psychological support through integration with the Union Health Ministry’s Tele-MANAS network.

Perhaps the most heartening feature is the introduction of Shaktishree Apas — five trained women mentors in every district — who will maintain regular contact with students, offering guidance, comfort, and practical support. It’s a move that reflects a grounded understanding of how change truly happens: not just through policy, but through presence.

The mandatory training in gender sensitivity for college staff, installation of CCTV cameras, formation of Shakti Kendras, and the annual Shakti Swarupuni workshops are not token gestures. They suggest a strong framework for institutional accountability and cultural change — a signal that Odisha is not content with symbolic action, but is prepared to invest in systemic transformation.

By mandating annual campus safety reports, the initiative builds a culture of self-assessment and continuous improvement — essential ingredients in any genuine reform.

In Shaktishree, Chief Minister Majhi has offered more than just a policy; he has extended a compassionate hand to the daughters and sons of Odisha. With quiet resolve and commendable clarity, the government has set the tone for what modern governance in the education sector should look like — responsive, responsible, and deeply rooted in student welfare.

The future, it seems, has just taken a more secure and hopeful turn in Odisha’s campuses.

Article By A.K. Sahoo

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