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Odisha CM Expands ‘Special Development Councils’ In 14 Districts For Preserving Tribal Culture

Earlier, the Special Development Councils (SDCs) were launched in nine districts, and with the formation of the new councils, the number of special development councils has increased from nine to 23
Odisha CM Expands 'Special Development Councils' In 14 Districts For Preserving Tribal Culture
The SDCs are formed to preserve the tribal culture and propagate the unique identity of all tribal groups in different districts of the state

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched special development councils (SDCs) on Sunday (May 14) in 14 districts of the state for the preservation and propagation of tribal culture and the unique identity of all tribal groups in different districts of the state. The development was announced by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday (May 14).

The new SDCs have been set up in the districts of Angul, Bolangir, Balasore, Bargarh, Boudh, Deogarh, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Nayagarh, and Sambalpur. Earlier, the SDCs were launched in nine districts, and with the formation of the new councils, the number of special development councils has increased from nine to 23.

Earlier, 64 lakh people in 117 blocks of nine districts in Odisha were involved in the special development councils, and now it will be implemented in 172 blocks of 23 districts. For this, the state government will spend 223 crore rupees in the financial year 2023–24.

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Around 80 lakh tribals in 172 blocks of the 14 districts will be the beneficiaries of the SDCs. The state government will spend Rs 273 crore for the development of tribal culture, according to the news agency PTI. Further elaborating on tribal culture, CM Patnaik said,

Tribal culture has a deep connection with Jagannath culture. It emphasises the protection of nature and the environment, and worship of nature and brotherhood are the main basis of tribal culture.

The CM said that art and culture have always played a significant role in the development of any community, and hence, a special Development Council has been formed to preserve their art and culture. The CM further added,

From politics to literature, culture, language, and politics, tribal people have contributed in all fields. They have glorified Odisha’s culture. I am proud of them.

In 2017, Odisha was the only state under the leadership of Chief Minister Patnaik to protect the unique culture of tribals by forming a special development council. Many programmes have been adopted in this area, such as the preservation of sacred trees by tribal people, the formation of cultural clubs, the organisation of cultural programmes, etc.

Also Read: Ravi Bhatnagar On How Reckitt Is Reaching Out To Different Communities In India

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.

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