Odisha Launches ‘Aarohan’ Initiative to Strengthen Early Childhood Education

Bhubaneswar: Marking the auspicious occasion of Maha Bishuba Sankranti and the Odia New Year, the Odisha government on Tuesday launched ‘Aarohan’, a new initiative aimed at strengthening early childhood education and ensuring a smooth academic transition for young learners.

The programme was formally inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida at the ICWS campus in Bhubaneswar. As part of the ceremony, she applied tikka to children, symbolising a fresh beginning, and distributed ‘Aarohan kits’ along with her blessings. The initiative carries the tagline “Ujwala Bhabisyat Pain Pade Agaku”, reflecting its vision of paving the way for a brighter future for every child.

Launched by the Department of Women and Child Development, the programme focuses on building a strong foundation during the early years of learning and facilitating the transition of children from Anganwadi centres to Bal Vatika-3 after completion of pre-primary education.

Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Chief Minister highlighted the critical importance of the first six years in a child’s life, particularly for brain development. She noted that the initiative aligns with the objectives of Poshan Pakhya 2026, which emphasises early childhood care and development. She also underscored the role of parents and communities, stating that ensuring a child’s holistic growth requires collective effort beyond government interventions.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department, Dr. Mrunalini Darswal, stressed the need for active participation of Anganwadi workers and officials in strengthening grassroots-level services. She called for coordinated efforts to enhance the quality of early childhood education and overall child development outcomes.

The event witnessed participation from senior officials, including Additional Secretary and Director-in-Charge (ICDS & SW) Swoyam Prabha Mohanty, Additional Secretary Itishree Das, and Additional Secretary N. C. Jyoti Ranjan, along with representatives from partner organisations.

Anganwadi workers and parents also actively took part in the programme, highlighting community engagement as a key pillar in the successful implementation of the initiative.