Bhubaneswar, Nov 19: The Odisha government on Tuesday launched the ‘Suposhit Odisha Mission’ to strengthen child nutrition across the state. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida inaugurated the programme at the Women and Child Development Department’s conference hall in Lok Seva Bhawan.

The mission, under the Odisha Nutrition Mission, aims to prevent malnutrition and ensure better health and growth for every child. A major focus is to upgrade Anganwadi centres into fully functional ‘Suposhit Centres’ where underweight and weak children will receive proper care and support.

As part of the initiative, a new review and monitoring dashboard has been introduced to track nutrition data and identify gaps for timely action. A joint consultation system will also be formed to improve coordination among departments for better nutrition results.

Under the Suposhit Odisha Mission, several departments including Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, Mission Shakti, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, ST & SC Development, Minority and Backward Classes Welfare, Sports and Youth Affairs, and School and Mass Education will work together under an integrated service delivery model. The mission aims to reduce anaemia, stunting and wasting among children.

On the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Parida also unveiled a coffee table book that highlights the nutrition situation in Odisha. The book will guide Anganwadi workers, cooks, SHG members, women, mothers and girls on proper food preparation and nutrition practices.

To ensure safety, the government has decided to install sandbags, fire extinguishers and other fire safety measures in all Anganwadi centres. A sewing unit was also inaugurated at the State Women and Children’s Institute in Bhubaneswar to provide skill development and income opportunities for Anganwadi workers and supervisors.

Principal Secretary Shubha Sarma, Director of Social Welfare Monisha Banerjee, Special Secretary Swayam Prava Mohanty, Additional Secretaries Nilu Mohapatra and Ananta Narayan Singh Laguri, along with several divisional officers, attended the launch event.