NGO coalition criticises Odisha govt for 'abrupt closure' of PVTG nutrition programme

By A Representative

A coalition of non-governmental organizations has condemned the Odisha government's decision to abruptly end a vital nutrition program for children of Primitive Tribal Groups (PVTG) communities. The program, which provided community-based creches and feeding centers, has been a lifeline for thousands of young children in the state.

The Odisha Khadya Adhikar Abhija, Jan Swasthy Abiyan, and Lokashakti Abhijan released a joint statement on October 8th, expressing their deep concern over the government's unilateral decision to discontinue the three-year-old PVTG nutrition development program. The program, implemented in 89 Gram Panchayats across 12 districts, focused on providing essential nutrition, healthcare, and early childhood development services to children aged 0-3.

The coalition criticized the government for not consulting with elected representatives, tribal communities, or relevant advisory bodies before making the decision. They argued that the closure of the program would have a devastating impact on the development and well-being of PVTG children, who are already disproportionately affected by malnutrition and poverty.

"The first 1,000 days of a child's life are crucial for their physical, intellectual, emotional, and mental development," said Prafulla Samantara, a spokesperson for the coalition. "By abruptly closing this program, the government is denying these children the opportunity to reach their full potential."

The PVTG Nutrition Improvement Program (OPNIP) was launched in 2021 to address the specific needs of 13 PVTG communities in Odisha. The program included community-based creches, maternal spot feeding centers, and spot feeding centers for children aged 3-6. These centers provided hot meals, regular growth monitoring, early childhood care, and early stimulation activities.

The coalition urged the government to reconsider its decision and immediately reinstate the creche program. They emphasized the importance of protecting the rights of tribal children and ensuring their access to essential services.

"We call upon the government to prioritize the welfare of our most vulnerable citizens," said Gouranga Mohapatra, another member of the coalition. "The closure of this program is a step in the wrong direction. We must work together to build a more inclusive and equitable society for all."

Comments

When democracy becomes a performance: The Tibetan exile experience

By Tseten Lhundup* I was born in Bylakuppe, one of the largest Tibetan settlements in southern India. From childhood, I grew up in simple barracks, along muddy roads, and in fields with limited resources. Over the years, I have watched our democratic system slowly erode. Observing the recent budget session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, these “democratic procedures” appear grand and orderly on the surface, yet in reality they amount to little more than empty formalities. The parliamentarians seem largely disconnected from the everyday struggles faced by ordinary exiled Tibetans like us.

Study links sanctions to 500,000 deaths annually leading to rise in global backlash

By Bharat Dogra International opinion is increasingly turning against the expanding burden of sanctions imposed on a growing number of countries. These measures are contributing to humanitarian crises, intensifying domestic discord, and heightening international tensions, thereby increasing the risks of conflicts and wars.

Dhurandhar: The Revenge — Blurring the line between fiction and political narrative

By Mohd. Ziyaullah Khan* "Dhurandhar: The Revenge" does not wait to be remembered; it arrives almost on the heels of its predecessor, released on March 19, 2026, just months after the first film’s December 2025 debut. The speed of its arrival feels less like creative urgency and more like calculated timing—cinema responding not to storytelling rhythm but to the emotional climate of its audience. Director Aditya Dhar, along with actor Yami Gautam, appears acutely aware of this moment and how to harness it.

Beyond the island: Top mythologist reorients the geography of the Ramayana

By Jag Jivan In a compelling new analysis that challenges conventional geographical assumptions about the ancient epic, writer and mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik has traced the roots of the Ramayana to the forests and river systems of Central and Eastern India, rather than the peninsular south or the modern island nation of Sri Lanka.

BJP accounts for 99% of political donations in Gujarat: Corporate giants dominate

By Jag Jivan An analysis of the official data on donations received by national parties from Gujarat during the Financial Year 2024-25 reveals a staggering concentration of funding, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accounting for nearly the entirety of the contributions. The data, compiled in a document titled "National Parties donations received from Gujarat during FY-2024-25," lists thousands of transactions, painting a detailed picture of the financial backing for political parties from one of India’s most industrially significant states.

Alarming decline in India's repair culture threatens circular economy goals: Study

By Jag Jivan A comprehensive new study by environmental research and advocacy organisation Toxics Link has painted a worrying picture of India's fading repair culture, warning that the trend towards replacement over repair is accelerating the country's already critical e-waste crisis.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Captains extraordinaire: Ranking cricket’s most influential skippers

By Harsh Thakor* Ranking the greatest cricket captains is a subjective exercise, often sparking passionate debate among fans. The following list is not merely a tally of wins and losses; it is an assessment of leadership’s deeper impact. My criteria fuse a captain’s playing record with their tactical skill, placing the highest consideration on their ability to reshape a team’s fortunes and inspire those around them. A captain who inherited a dominant empire is judged differently from one who resurrected a nation’s cricket from the doldrums. With that in mind, here is my perspective on the finest leaders the game has ever seen.

‘No merit’ in Chakraborty’s claims: Personal ethics talk sans details raises questions

By Jag Jivan A recent opinion piece published in The Quint by Subhash Chandra Garg has raised questions over the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Atanu Chakraborty from HDFC Bank , with Garg stating that the exit “raises doubts about his own ‘ethics’.” Garg, currently Chief Policy Advisor at Subhanjali and former Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India, writes that the Reserve Bank of India ( RBI ) appears to find no substance in Chakraborty’s claims, noting, “It is clear the RBI sees no merit in Atanu Chakraborty’s wild and vague assertions.”

Search This Blog