The Odisha State
Odisha state formerly known as Orissa is an Indian state located in Eastern India. It has the 11th largest population in India of 42 million, and is the 8th largest state by area. It also has the third highest scheduled tribe population in India. The state shares its boundary with West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattishgarh and Andhrapradesh, and has a coastline area of 485 kilometers. The state has been divided into 30 districts and the literacy rate is 73% as per the 2011 census. It has a rich culture and is full of natural resources. The majority of people living in rural areas depend on agriculture as the main source of livelihood, followed by the construction industry. Odisha has been known as the most backward state with most people living in poverty.
As a state it also has many dominating issues still persisting from the past e.g female literacy, quality education, protection of women and children and sustainable livelihoods etc. women currently living in the state of Odisha are suffering from the present situation, they lack in education, health, security, freedom, using technology and participation etc. After women, the most vulnerable group are children and youth. Both of these groups have an important contribution in national development which ultimately adds to global development, but these groups are often overlooked. More than one third of the state population, around 10 million, are under 18 years old . Therefore the future and strength of Odisha lies in a healthy, protected, educated and well developed youth. Issues relating to children are specifically domestic help, migration, running away, begging, child labour etc. Apart from these children are also engaged as apprentices which is a normal process of growing by their parents and community. This type of attitude has encouraged the concept of child labour which needs to be discouraged. Studies by different NGOs, universities claim that around 15% of Odisha’s child population within the age group of 5-14 are experiencing child labor including those who work on their family’s farm. Moreover it has been found that girls under 12 are the most likely to be engaged in work. Other important issues such as displacement, migration, community violence, protest, and acute poverty have also been the obstacles in the development of children, and are a matter of concern.
As Odisha is a disaster prone area, every year the people experience different kinds of natural disaster like floods, cyclones, and droughts as a regular occurrence, due to this every year thousands of children suffer from natural calamities. The children in such circumstances do not have opportunities for education and health care services which put a long term impact on them. The families losing their livelihood don’t hesitate to engage their children in income generating activities and child labour. Refugee children are engaged in rag picking in the cities and towns, while children in coastal areas are engaged in prawn seed collection and allied fishery activities. Children living in the urban slums are working as child laborers and are deprived of health, education, hygiene and occupational safety measures. Young girls are the most vulnerable and suffer the most in terms of reproductive health and sexual abuse.
The youth are the most potent force in the population of the country. Young being enthusiastic, vibrant, innovative, and dynamic in nature is the most important section of the population. Young people (13-35) constitute about 42% of the state’s population. However, the socio economic progress is very low and the unemployment rate is high in this age group. It has been observed that there is a continuous decline in the youth development starting from health, hygiene, education, livelihood, and morality etc. There are a variety of issues attached to their upliftment and development can be said like migration, school dropouts, disability, low literacy, alcoholism and terrorism etc. If we look upon the subject of education, the large number of dropouts between primary, secondary and higher secondary levels point to a critical window in the educational development among youths. Nutritional status is a major determinant of health among youths, while undernourishment is a major issue in rural areas particularly to young women, becoming overweight and obese is becoming a growing concern in urban young people. High prevalence of Anemia among young women has a negative impact on future life. Odisha is also facing a rising burden of NCDs which is largely influenced by food habits, physical inactivity and lifestyle. Substance abuse, tobacco, and alcohol consumption are growing issues among the youth that need to be curbed. The youth of today are experiencing more stress levels due to social and peer pressure, and online media. The provision of sound mental health needs to be a priority in the health system.
In conclusion it can be said that the issues relating to the youth and women, are one of social evils which is a hindrance in the social development. Although there are many policies, programs, schemes, mechanisms that exist to mitigate these types of issues, a greater awareness is needed. To curb it, each one of us should take steps as only policies, laws, programs and NGO’s can’t do anything. If we want to fulfill our dream to zero level, each one of us has to be conscious and must do whatever is needed. Implementation of these problems are lacking at the grass root level. There it is important to deal with the grass root level first. This problem should be looked at in its totality and should not be viewed as the problem of the concerned department of Govt. Convergence with other govt sponsored interventions, awareness, collaboration and cooperation are needed from each and every level of people so that it can help to a great extent to eliminate the problem.