Odisha Women Urged to Light Lamps for ‘Aashirbad Ka Diya’ on September 17

Bhubaneswar: Thousands of women associated with Mission Shakti are being encouraged to come together on September 17 for ‘Aashirbad Ka Diya’, a statewide lamp-lighting initiative that seeks to celebrate women’s participation in Odisha’s development journey.

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida made the appeal during a review meeting, urging Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Cluster Level Federations (CLFs), Gram Panchayat Level Associations of Federations (GPLAFs), block and district federations, Lakhpati Didis, Producer Groups and Producer Companies to actively participate in the programme.

Women beneficiaries have been asked to light a lamp on the evening of September 17 as a symbol of service, gratitude and their aspirations for the future. Parida said the collective lighting of lamps would represent the strength and dignity of women and their contribution to the development of Odisha and the nation.

“If every woman beneficiary lights a lamp as a symbol of gratitude and aspiration for Viksit Bharat 2047 and Viksit Odisha 2036, the entire State will glow with the light of women’s empowerment,” she said.

The initiative forms part of the state government’s ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan–2026’, which will be observed across Odisha from September 17 to October 17. The month-long campaign is aimed at promoting service, community participation and social responsibility.

The review meeting brought together Mission Shakti officials and grassroots representatives from across the state. Secretary, Mission Shakti, Mansi Nimbhal and Director, Mission Shakti, Dr Monica Banerjee attended the meeting, while Chief Development Officers, Block Development Officers, CLF members, GPLAF representatives and SHG members from all 30 districts participated virtually.

The government expects Mission Shakti institutions and women’s collectives at the grassroots level to play a key role in mobilising participation in the initiative.

Through ‘Aashirbad Ka Diya’, the state aims to turn a simple act of lighting a lamp into a collective expression of gratitude and a message of women-led participation in the vision of Viksit Odisha 2036 and Viksit Bharat 2047.