Speaking on the occasion virtually, Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik said, “Children represent the present and the future, as they will be the leaders of our state tomorrow. My government has been unwavering in its commitment to investing in our children, primarily through initiatives aimed at providing quality education, healthcare, and supplementary nutrition programs. For children who have sadly lost their families, we have established robust support systems within the state machinery.”

“Under the Ashirbad scheme, we have provided support to 50,827 children who lost their parents during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights plays a crucial role in monitoring the successful implementation of these programs, ensuring that the needs of every child are met,” he said.
Minister of Women and Child Development, Mission Shakti Basanti Hembram opined that all of us together are not only protecting the rights of our children but also fulfilling their potential.

Commissioner-cum-Secretary Mrs. Shubha Sharma strongly hoped that the overall development of the children can be possible by working in harmony with each other.
Chairperson of OSCRPC Mandakini Kar called for collective commitment to protect child rights.
On this occasion, the theme ‘Ahwana – Let’s join hands to protect child’ were discussed. Hembram also felicitated Puri DCPO as the best child rights district and Kabisuryanagar MLA Latika Pradhan for the best MLA for child protection rights activities. Brave child warriors from different districts who fought against child labour and child marriage were also awarded on this occasion. Various posters related to child rights and advocacy and child marriage were unveiled.

MLA of North Bhubaneswar Sushant Raut, Chief Field Officer of UNICEF William Hanlon, Adviser of Women and Child Development Department Sumitra Jena and Secretary of OSCRPC Prabhat Kumar Sahoo were present.