Odisha Dy CM Pravati Parida urges CWC members to put child welfare first
Synopsis
Odisha Deputy CM Pravati Parida used the launch of a five-day CWC training programme to send a clear signal: child welfare in the state must be rights-based, not procedural. With 58 members from 27 districts in the current batch and 78 already trained, Odisha is quietly building one of its most systematic child protection workforces in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
Deputy CM Pravati Parida inaugurated a five-day CWC training programme at SIWC, Bhubaneswar on 17 August .
58 CWC members from 27 districts are participating in the second training batch.
The first batch had already trained 78 newly appointed members .
Training focuses on child protection mechanisms, statutory duties, and rights-based approaches.
Parida called for sensitivity, empathy, and the 'best interest of the child' to guide every CWC intervention.
Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Monday, 17 August called upon newly inducted members of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to keep the 'best interest of the child' at the core of every decision and intervention. Parida, who also holds the Women and Child Development portfolio, was speaking at the inauguration of a five-day training programme for the second batch of CWC members at the State Institute for Women and Children (SIWC) campus in Bhubaneswar.
Training Programme at a Glance
According to official sources, 58 CWC members drawn from 27 districts across Odisha are participating in the current training batch. The programme is designed to strengthen participants' understanding of child protection mechanisms, statutory responsibilities, and the practical implementation of child welfare measures. In the first batch, 78 newly appointed members had already completed similar training, equipping them with the knowledge and orientation required to fulfil their roles effectively.
What Parida Said
Addressing the gathering, Parida reaffirmed the state government's commitment to creating a safe, secure, and enabling environment for every child in Odisha. She stressed the importance of coordinated, compassionate action by all stakeholders to protect children's rights, dignity, and well-being. 'The best interest of the child must remain at the heart of every intervention,' she said, urging members to discharge their duties with sensitivity, dedication, and empathy.
Engagement with Ground-Level Realities
Beyond the formal address, Parida interacted directly with the newly inducted members to gain firsthand insight into their grassroots experiences, challenges, and perspectives in handling child-related matters. This engagement signals an intent to bridge the gap between policy design and on-the-ground implementation — a persistent challenge in child welfare governance across Indian states.
Focus and Forward Outlook
The training curriculum is centred on building a child-sensitive, rights-based, and responsive approach toward children in need of care and protection. Notably, this is the second consecutive batch to undergo structured orientation since the new CWC cohort was inducted, reflecting a systematic effort by the Odisha government to professionalise child welfare administration. With training covering all 27 districts, the state aims to ensure uniform standards of child protection across urban and rural jurisdictions alike.
Point of View
CWC capacity has historically been uneven and under-resourced. Parida's personal presence at the inauguration and her direct interaction with members suggests political ownership, not just bureaucratic compliance. The real test, however, will be whether the training translates into consistent, rights-aligned decisions at the district level — particularly in Odisha's more remote tribal districts where child vulnerability is highest and institutional support thinnest.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) training programme launched in Odisha?
It is a five-day structured training programme for newly inducted CWC members, inaugurated on 17 August at the State Institute for Women and Children in Bhubaneswar. The programme covers child protection mechanisms, statutory responsibilities, and rights-based approaches to child welfare.
How many CWC members are being trained and from which districts?
58 CWC members from 27 districts across Odisha are undergoing training in the current second batch. A first batch of 78 members had already completed similar training before this.
Who inaugurated the CWC training programme?
Deputy Chief Minister and Women and Child Development Minister Pravati Parida inaugurated the programme. She also addressed the members and interacted with them to understand grassroots challenges in child welfare.
What did Deputy CM Pravati Parida emphasise at the event?
Parida stressed that the 'best interest of the child' must guide every CWC decision and intervention. She called for sensitivity, empathy, and coordinated action among all stakeholders to protect children's rights and dignity.
Why does this CWC training matter for Odisha?
CWCs are quasi-judicial bodies that make critical decisions for children in need of care or in conflict with the law. Systematic training across all 27 districts aims to ensure uniform, rights-based child protection standards statewide, addressing long-standing capacity gaps in child welfare administration.
