Koraput, August 5: The Odisha government has come forward to support Sukanti Paraja, a diploma-qualified tribal woman from Koraput who was forced to work as a daily wage labourer due to the lack of employment opportunities. Following the publication of her story in ‘Prameya’, the district administration has assured her of skill-based training and a job, bringing hope for a better future.

Sukanti, a resident of Mundaguda village under Mahadeiput Panchayat in Koraput block, came into the spotlight after ‘Prameya’ published a report titled "A Diploma Degree in Hand, the Burden of Family on Her Head," highlighting her struggle to earn a living by carrying sand, cement and construction materials despite holding a diploma in Electrical Engineering.

Taking serious note of the report, Director of Municipal Administration Arindam Dakua directed the Koraput district administration to extend support to Sukanti. Acting on the directive, Koraput Collector Manoj Satyaban Mahajan invited her to his office and assured her that she would be provided employment after completing the necessary training.

Earlier in the day, Municipal Executive Officer Gyanajit Tripathy met Sukanti, collected her biodata and discussed the possibility of appointing her as a Support Coordinator after providing basic training. The Collector later interacted with her in detail and reviewed her educational background and financial condition.

During the meeting, Sukanti informed the Collector that she had been unable to collect her original diploma certificate from college due to financial constraints. In response, the Collector assured her that the required financial assistance would be provided from the Red Cross Fund. He also promised to facilitate skill development training and ensure that suitable employment opportunities are created for her.

The Collector appreciated ‘Prameya’ for bringing Sukanti's plight to the attention of the administration, stating that such reporting helps identify deserving beneficiaries and enables timely government intervention.

Speaking to the media, Sukanti said both she and her husband are diploma holders but have been surviving by working as daily wage labourers in Dangari village. She said they would continue with manual labour until they secure permanent employment.

Contractor Montu Benia, under whom Sukanti had been working for more than a year, admitted that he was unaware of her educational qualifications until reading the *Prameya* report. He expressed surprise that a diploma holder had been compelled to work as a labourer and urged the government to support educated tribal youth facing similar circumstances.

Municipal Executive Officer Gyanajit Tripathy said Sukanti would initially undergo basic training before being appointed as a Support Coordinator, following which the recruitment process would be taken forward.

Sukanti completed her diploma in Electrical Engineering from Siddharth Engineering College, Koraput, with the hope of securing a suitable job. However, the absence of employment opportunities forced her to take up daily wage work at a construction site within the Koraput Block office premises to support herself. Having lost both her parents while she was still pursuing her studies, Sukanti's life took a difficult turn, making survival her immediate priority over career aspirations.