Paperman Media (Bhubaneswar)- The Press Information Bureau (PIB), Bhubaneswar organised a Media Workshop “Varta” on the flagship programmes of the Government at Bhubaneswar today, bringing together media professionals and experts to discuss effective public communication and developmental outreach.
The workshop was presided by Shri Akhil Kumar Mishra, Additional Director General, Press Information Bureau and Central Bureau of Communication (Odisha & Jharkhand Region). Dr. Mrinalini Darswal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Women & Child Development, Government of Odisha, attended the programme as the Chief Guest. The technical session featured presentations by Shri Bijaya Kumar Das, Additional Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Odisha; Shri Subrat Kumar Panda, Director, Soil Conservation & Watershed Development, Government of Odisha; Dr. Mitali Chinara, Professor of Economics, Utkal University; and Shri Rakesh Mohanty, Freelance Journalist, who shared their insights on government flagship programmes and effective public communication.
In his keynote address, Shri Akhil Kumar Mishra, underscored the importance of honest, inclusive and people-centric communication in ensuring the effective implementation of government programmes. Emphasizing that the voices of the most marginalized and information-deprived sections of society must be heard and addressed, he stated that communication and administration should function in tandem so that government schemes reach their intended beneficiaries. He highlighted the crucial role of journalists and media professionals in bridging information gaps, disseminating developmental news, and fostering greater public awareness and participation in nation-building efforts.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mrinalini Darswal highlighted the transformative impact of flagship initiatives in the areas of nutrition, women’s empowerment, early childhood education and financial inclusion. Referring to programmes such as Poshan 2.0, Saksham Anganwadi, Mission Shakti and Subhadra, she emphasized the government's beneficiary-first approach and the use of technology to strengthen service delivery at the grassroots. She noted Odisha’s significant investments in nutrition and child development, underscored the importance of empowering women through institutional support and economic opportunities, and called for greater media participation in disseminating information on welfare schemes and developmental initiatives to ensure their benefits reach every eligible citizen.
Shri Bijay Kumar Das highlighted the importance of strengthening healthcare infrastructure, expanding access to quality health services, and promoting preventive healthcare. He emphasized initiatives such as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, digital health systems, early disease screening, and capacity-building of healthcare professionals to ensure improved healthcare delivery across the State.
Shri Subrat Kumar Panda emphasized the importance of water, soil, and technology as primary drivers of agricultural growth. He emphasized ongoing efforts to strengthen irrigation, promote natural farming, improve farmer market access, and use digital innovations to increase productivity, as well as Odisha's growing contribution to food security and agricultural exports.
Dr. Mitali Chinara highlighted the transformative impact of women-centric initiatives in advancing financial inclusion, entrepreneurship and social empowerment. She emphasized that increased access to banking, self-help groups, livelihood opportunities and digital technologies has strengthened women's participation in the country's development journey.
Shri Rakesh Mohanty emphasized the crucial role of the media in promoting developmental journalism and ensuring that information on public welfare initiatives reaches citizens effectively. Highlighting the importance of infrastructure development, digital connectivity and inclusive growth, he urged media professionals to give greater attention to development-oriented reporting and contribute actively to the vision of a Viksit Odisha and Viksit Bharat.
Shri Pradeep Kumar Choudhury, Assistant Director, CBC, welcomed the participants and highlighted the significance of “Varta” as a platform for dialogue and information sharing. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Shri Mahendra Kumar Jena, Assistant Director, PIB Bhubaneswar. Journalists of various media houses participated in the workshop and interacted with the speakers on welfare schemes and policies.
