THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JUNE 5, 2026

“Bridging communication gaps is key to the successful implementation of government programmes, and ensuring that the voices of the most marginalized and information-deprived sections of society are heard is essential for inclusive development,” said Akhil Kumar Mishra, Additional Director General, Press Information Bureau (PIB) and Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), Odisha and Jharkhand Region, while addressing the Media Workshop ‘Varta’ on flagship government programmes in Bhubaneswar on Friday.

Organised by the Press Information Bureau, Bhubaneswar, the workshop brought together journalists, policymakers, subject experts and communication professionals to deliberate on effective public communication, developmental outreach and the role of the media in strengthening citizen engagement with government initiatives.

Presiding over the programme, Mishra emphasized the need for honest, inclusive and people-centric communication to ensure that welfare schemes reach their intended beneficiaries. He stressed that communication and administration must work in tandem for effective governance and highlighted the vital role of journalists in bridging information gaps, disseminating developmental news and fostering greater public awareness and participation in nation-building.

The workshop was attended by Dr. Mrinalini Darswal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Women & Child Development, Government of Odisha, as the Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering, she highlighted the transformative impact of flagship programmes such as Poshan 2.0, Saksham Anganwadi, Mission Shakti and Subhadra in advancing nutrition, women’s empowerment, early childhood education and financial inclusion.

Dr. Darswal underscored the government’s beneficiary-first approach and the increasing use of technology to strengthen grassroots service delivery. She noted Odisha’s significant investments in nutrition and child development and called for greater media participation in spreading awareness about welfare schemes to ensure their benefits reach every eligible citizen.

During the technical session, Bijaya Kumar Das, Additional Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare, highlighted initiatives aimed at strengthening healthcare infrastructure, expanding access to quality medical services and promoting preventive healthcare. He emphasized the importance of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, digital health systems, early disease screening and capacity-building of healthcare professionals in improving healthcare delivery across the State.

Subrat Kumar Panda, Director, Soil Conservation & Watershed Development, spoke on the role of water, soil and technology as key drivers of agricultural growth. He outlined ongoing efforts to strengthen irrigation, promote natural farming, enhance market access for farmers and leverage digital innovations to boost productivity and agricultural sustainability.

Dr. Mitali Chinara, Professor of Economics at Utkal University, highlighted the transformative role of women-centric initiatives in advancing financial inclusion, entrepreneurship and social empowerment. She noted that greater access to banking services, self-help groups, livelihood opportunities and digital technologies has significantly enhanced women’s participation in India’s development journey.

Freelance journalist Rakesh Mohanty emphasized the media’s responsibility in promoting developmental journalism and ensuring effective dissemination of information on public welfare initiatives. He urged media professionals to focus more on development-oriented reporting and contribute actively to the vision of a Viksit Odisha and Viksit Bharat.

Earlier, Pradeep Kumar Choudhury, Assistant Director, CBC, welcomed the participants and highlighted the significance of “Varta” as a platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing and informed public discourse. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Mahendra Kumar Jena, Assistant Director, PIB Bhubaneswar. Journalists from various media organisations participated in the workshop and engaged in interactive discussions with the speakers on government welfare schemes and policy initiatives.