The government of Odisha has highlighted women’s empowerment as one of its main development goals. As a result, assisting women in achieving economic independence by providing them with independent work and income has been given top importance. In 2001, the ‘Mission Shakti’ initiative was chosen as a fundamental approach for women’s empowerment.

The mission of Mission Shakti is to empower women via productive enterprises by providing finance and market access. The government’s flagship initiative, Mission Shakti, aims to empower women through Women Self Help Groups.So far, almost 70 lakh women have been organised into 6 lakh groups across the State’s blocks and urban local bodies.

The recently inaugurated projects in Titlagarh include a 33/11KV grid station in the Saintala block’s Kadamtala, a new crematorium called Muktidham in Titilagarh, and a hostel for female students at the DAV autonomous college in Titilagarh.

Last month, our beloved CM Shri Naveen Patnaik announced a Rs 453.50 crore Covid support package for women as part of Mission Shakti.The package includes Rs 169 crore for the construction of 338 Mission Shakti Bhawans at the block level, Rs 84.60 crore for the establishment of a Revolving Fund for the 338 Mission Shakti Block level Federations for business development, and Rs 200 crore for interest subsidisation in Mission Shakti loans for SHGS.

Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik congratulated Mission Shakti women for their outstanding performance during the Covid pandemic. He explained that the Mission Shakti Bhawans, which would be built at the block level, will be utilised for training, setting up sales kiosks for their products, and conducting talks about their programmes.

Women have brought glory to the Mission Shakti campaign during Covid, he added, from organising Temporary Medical Camps to making masks and promoting awareness among people.The State government has approved a revolving fund of Rs 84.50 crore for Block Level Federation, according to our Chief Minister who also stated that the State government is giving Mission Shakti women with loans that are interest-free.

As per the vision of CM Shri Naveen Patnaik, the ‘Project Mission Shakti’ has gained momentum across the state. Achieving empowerment of women has been the main objective of the scheme and it’s on the right track to achieve it.