A joint reflection meeting of NGOs, government officials and members of marginalized communities was held at Hotel Blue Vine, Bhadrak, on 7th June 2022. The purpose of the meeting was to have a concentrated exchange of thoughts among organizations and advocacy groups of vulnerable and marginalised populations to identify barriers to access to education, welfare, and development programmes and to develop tools to overcome them. Around 30 participants from different walks of life participated in the meeting.

Fr. Lijo George, Director, Baleswar Social Service Society (BSSS), reiterated the requisite need of the NGOs to come forward to work on social inclusion and have regular dialogue with government authorities.

Participating as a Chief Guest, Mr. Jayant Kumar Jena, District Welfare Officer (DWO), explained about the government schemes available for the excluded communities in Odisha. A certain section of society is still excluded based on caste, creed, and religion, which is a reality, and we need to empower them. We need to focus on the promotion of the education of marginalized communities, he stated. The district administration has built two separate 500-seated hostels for the boys and girls belonging to the minority groups. The government is coming out with new plans to set up “Anusuchita Nabodaya Vidyalaya” in the district, exclusively for the scheduled caste students.

The students belonging to marginalized communities will be provided coaching facilities for appearing in higher-grade jobs. The students of minority communities are also provided a loan of Rs.30 lakhs if they wish to study abroad. The orphan children of deceased parents who died of Covid will be provided Rs. 500/- as a monthly stipend from the central government, called as “BANISHREE“ Scholarship.

Mr. Pradeep Biswal from Odisha Livelihood Mission (OLM) narrated the financial inclusion of marginalized communities by promoting livelihood. For doing so, the government of Odisha developed three tire financial systems such as self-help groups at the village level, and a women federation at the block and district level for promoting financial inclusion. Ms. Kalika Mahapatra, Thematic Associate, DRR explained the thrust areas of Global Program India and said that strengthening the Panchayati Raj system could assist us to achieve the social inclusion of marginalized communities to a large extent. Ms. Manasi Jena, Secretary, Akanshya NGO, too emphasized strengthening the Panchayati Raj system for the inclusion of excluded communities

Mr. Jugal Kishore, said that the participatory planning at Gram Sabha/Palli Sabha, identifying vulnerabilities through Participatory Disaster Risk Assessment, effective implementation of constitutional provisions and government policies, schemes and provisions could address social exclusion. He facilitated the participants to share feedback and recommendations for the promotion of social inclusion. The following action points were planned at the end of the session:

• A Joint Alliance of CSOs, Government and Excluded Communities need to be formed for sharing information about government schemes and programs.
• The alliance would work to strengthen Panchayati Raj System and government schemes and program.
• The alliance would meet once in a month to discuss issues affecting marginalized communities.
• The CSOs need to have close contact with government officials for mobilization of resources.
• OROSA would organize a district-level training program on Panchayati Raj next month.