With regard to the design of the OVC 2020, he said the conclave would focus on deliberations in six sessions such as:

• Inaugural
• Thematic Sessions on:
• Scaling up Natural Farming in Odisha
• School Education: Recovery form COVID Pandemic
• Changing the broad contours from Distress Migration to Safe Migration
• Impact of COVID-19 on Women and Girls
• Evening Session deliberating on Development Priorities in Odisha: Role of Civil Society

 Shri Jagadananda: Opening Remarks and Introducing the Panelists 

Shri Jagadananda in his opening remarks said, Odisha is a wonderful state with full of natural resources – from minerals to metals, forests and natural beauties. The people are great. From the Adi people that is the Tribals, we have all kinds of people with a rich cultural background and a great heritage with architecture, temples and monuments. However, the state is not free from problems.

Odisha is one of the few states across the country which is considered as an aspirational state. Poverty and under-development are still experienced in the remote areas and tribal hinter lands. This requires a multi-stakeholder approach to deal with the problems. Odisha Development Initiative (ODI) is one of such attempts in which all players including civil society, government, corporate sector, NGOs, voluntary organizations, community-based organizations, people’s organizations have come together to identify the root causes of the problem, articulate and suggest answers to deal with the problems.

The OVCs under the aegis of ODI through two editions so far in 2016 and 2018; have tried to get people from tribal hinter land of Odisha to the coast line; from Malkangiri to Mayurbhanj; and from Kendrapada to Sundergarh and have discourse with the policy makers what can be done to make the state prosperous and progressive. The events were graced by the Vice-Chair, NITI Aayog; and a plethora of officers from NITI Aayog participated in the events to understand the reality. The outcomes of the Conclave were recorded and presented to the government. Some of them are taken to the logical conclusion and some are not. In the development journey, the role of the civil society is to remind all the stakeholders who are dealing with the ordinary people’s problems, their vulnerabilities and the causes of poverty and under development. It is always required that all the potential actors to come together. There has to be collaboration, cooperation, partnership among all of them.

To reiterate, this was in 2018, the OVC was done in a similar pattern, but that time the areas of deliberation were more. People came together to discuss their problems, articulate their problems and pains before the policy makers and the civil society.

In 2020, an attempt was made to take the stock of what has happened and what didn’t happen. Covid-19 pandemic has opened up new windows, problems and possibilities. In this context, what could be the development strategy in post-Covid-19 situation? We are just laying a foundation on 23^rd Dec. 2020, but the agenda can’t be set in a day-long conversation. It has to be a yearlong affair. There has to be willingness among all the players to come together, listen to each other, trust each other and come together to deal with the problems of Odisha.

With this he introduced all the panelists including Prof. (Dr.) Amitabh Kundu, distinguished fellow, Research and Information System for Developing Countries, Delhi; Padmashree (Prof.) Radhamohan, eminent Environmentalist; and Smt. Ranjana Chopra, Principal Secretary, Department of ST & SC Development. Government of Odisha. He also urged upon all the collaborators and the participants to actively participate in the deliberation and discuss about the key development challenges Odisha is facing and articulate possible ways out to overcome those challenges.

Prof. (Dr.) Amitabh Kundu:  Development of Odisha – Issues and Priorities

Prof. (Dr.) Amitabh Kundu in his address expressed that it was an honour and privilege for him to be part of the OVC 2020 organised by ODI. “A friend of mine in Delhi asked me – you have cancelled an international webinar for a state development report and you are excited about it. In reply I said, I am indeed excited. I have edited series of reports both at the national and the state level; guided various state specific reports, but this report is special for me”.

The Odisha Development Report (ODR) 2020 is special because it is not prepared by any International Agency, or the State Government, or any University, or Research Institute as because it is their job to do so. It is produced by the Civil Society facilitated by CYSD. The Report proposes strategic interventions backed by research, authored largely by researchers, activists and the visionaries mostly from Odisha working all over the country and globally reputed organizations.

The report contains 40 insightful articles written by experts from diverse sectors. The report, in a studied and objective attempt, has assessed the present situation and identified the key areas of concern and constraints in achieving inclusive growth. The report also clearly states that partnership, collaboration and joint initiatives of government, civil society organisations, academic and corporates can take the development agenda to a new height and Odisha can be at the forefront of socio-economic growth of the country in the coming decades.

Though, the state’s position in health parameters such as malnutrition, anaemia is better than the national average, the situation in tribal districts are alarming says the report. Over a dozens of tribal dominated districts are above the state average of anaemic mothers and underweight children, the report highlighted further.

The ranking of overall index highlights that districts in the coastal and the industrial belt of north-west regions of Odisha are having better social development scenario as compared to other parts of the state. In the case of basic amenities, five districts namely Khorda, Cuttack, Jagatsignhpur, Ganjam and Puri have been maintaining the top ranking, while southern districts namely Baudh, Nabarangpur, Kandhamal, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur and Malkanagiri were found to be the worst performing.

Eight districts in Odisha have more than 50 percent tribal population. The report highlights that the districts with high share of ST population record significantly low levels of development in health, basic amenities, education, economic, and the overall social wellbeing. Despite the well-orchestrated interventions by Finance Commission, Planning Commission and other institutions, Odisha remained a low recipient of federal transfers and corporate investments, says Prof. Amitabh Kundu.

Regional disparity in Odisha is a major challenge and needs special attention with specially designed development programmes and schemes. Again, social inequalities based on caste, sex, region, lopsided development, rapid urbanisation, high distressed migration, and less income opportunities are noted to be major challenges in Odisha, Prof. Kundu added further.

The report focuses on policy recommendations with special attention to the development priorities of the state. “The recommendations that have emerged are not from the analysis of secondary data but from the grassroots. I certainly believe that the inputs that have been provided in the report will be taken seriously by the policy makers in relevant corridors and the civil society as well. I also believe that the report is unique and much more relevant in policy making.”

Release of Odisha Development Report 2020

The Odisha Development Report 2020 carrying comprehensive insights on the development scenario of the state with data and grassroots realities was released on the occasion of OVC 2020 by Padmashree Prof. Radhamohan, eminent Environmentalist, in the presence of Prof. (Dr.) Amitabh Kundu, Mrs. Ranjana Chopra, Shri Jagadannanda, collaborators of ODI and the delegates present in the Conclave.

Prof. Radhamohan

Many aspects which were not covered in other reports have been covered in the Odisha Development Report 2020. It is an eye opener for many and me as well. Thanks to the ODI team for bringing out such an excellent report.

The report clearly articulates the development priorities for Odisha; what the government and the civil society can do. I strongly believe that there are very good civil servants who are open to new ideas, free to accept and translate them to action.

Development means improvement in the quality of life of the poor, the disadvantaged, the scheduled castes and the scheduled tribes; particularly the women at the bottom. The policy prescriptions should be made available to them in their language. Off late, growth rate is faster in Odisha but it needs to be accelerated.

Mrs. Ranjana Chopra: Prospects of Tribal Development in Odisha

The Government of Odisha has been emphasizing on the improvement in the quality of life and livelihoods of the tribal people through various income enhancement programmes and alternate livelihood opportunities meant for them. More than 20% of the tribal households in Odisha have been benefited out of it, said Smt. Ranjana Chopra, Principal Secretary, Department of SC & ST Development, Government of Odisha.

CSOs have demonstrated the partnership with government agencies on effective implementation of OTELP, integrated farming, agriculture production cluster programmes etc., said Mrs. Ranjana Chopra. Many CSOs have demonstrated successful development models that need to be upscaled in undeveloped pockets of the state. Our key learning is that, we have to partner with the civil society for implementation of various development programmes, she added further.

Vote of thanks

The session ended with vote of thanks by Shri Basanta Kumar Nayak to all the contributors including the editor, authors, researchers, illustrators and publisher of the ODR 2020; all the collaborators of ODI, the distinguished panelists, delegates and participants for making the event successful.

The session was followed by thematic discussion on revival of rural economy through promotion of natural farming, finding avenues for safe migration and build data deficits for migration governance, meeting shortfalls in learning of children arising out of the pandemic, governance priorities for multi-faceted concerns of women and girl children, and the complementary role of civil society in all these areas.

Dr. Rajesh Tandon

• Tandon expressed his happiness having the opportunity to participate in the OVC 2020 virtually because of Covid pandemic. He vividly recalled his physical and active participation both in the first and the second edition of the OVC in 2016 and 2018 respectively and was hopeful about another opportunity in the coming year.
• He was very much impressed with the topics selected and deliberated upon in the parallel sessions of the OVC, 2020. The topics were exceptionally relevant not just for Odisha but India and the world in the context of Covid pandemic.
• The first one on scaling up organic farming is ecologically sustainable and locally usable looking at the natural resource base and the indigenous expertise of the tribals and farmers of Odisha. The expertise that exists in Odisha’s farmers in rural/agricultural communities mercifully has not been totally surrendered to the chemical based agriculture that western part of the country Punjb, Haryana and UP has experienced. They have destroyed their land and water base; and the products they are producing are so chemicalised that right from the process of production to consumption, it has been causing disease and ill health. The pandemic has demonstrated the significance of nurturing local natural resource base in such a way that it becomes sustainable. If there is one opportunity that Odisha’s agricultural and allied rural economy could be reenergised and redirected, is to make it organic, sustainable, locally produced and locally consumed.
• The second one, distress migration to safe migration that has been picked up is very important as the people of Odisha have faced severe problems in returning their home town during Covid pandemic. Distress migration should be substantially reduced. Odisha has now become the centre of technology. Many companies are opening up their technology units, production sites in the state. Large number of academic and research institutions are also there in Odisha. In that sense, the migration of the talented people from Odisha should be limited to the opportunities which are contributing to national development and international development. But the bulk of the people who run away from the small towns of Odisha to Mumbai, Surat, Tirupur, Delhi etc. should be prevented.
• The third one is the impact of Covid pandemic on the women and girls. There are multiple impacts and let’s take one i.e. education of the girls. The education of girls has been seriously disturbed during Covid pandemic. All conversations that are taking place seem to suggest that primary education is going to be determined and continue through the elite digital platform. It is not in line with the National Education Policy 2020. It requires investment in education and learning for all particularly girls and the women and that policy can only b implemented if public investment is made.

If this is the agenda, what should be role of the Civil Society? Odisha is blessed with very vibrant, active and capable civil society organisations throughout the length and breadth of the state. There are organisations working with the tribals, urban poor, women & girls and in the coastal areas. It is the rsponsibility of all of us who belong to the civil society of Odisha and else where in the country to take up ourselves in slightly embodied and courageous role in responding to Covid pandemic. Dr. Tandon shared the following suggestions for the civil society to deal with the situation.

• It is evident that the CSOs in Odisha are engaged in developing leadership and building local capability among the youth, women & girls and the disadvantaged groups including the tribal over the years. They have demonstrated their values and efforts during Covid pandemic as well. It is only through the local animators/ local leaders, local youth that the distressed households/ neighbours were provided with support during the difficult period when lockdown happened and employment, food and livelihood became scarce. This needs to be taken up in a large scale involving the youth both rural and urban. It should not be limited to the youth force that came from SC and ST communities but all across. There needs investment in building leadership among the local boys and girls right from the period of adolescence to adulthood and beyond.
• The CSOs need to demand that the secondary and the higher secondary learning system should focus on Odisha’s development agenda. During last 20-25 years higher education in the state is with both the public and private sector. A large number of students are attending those institutions. But, it is a matter of concern that, what curriculum is followed and what is taught there; what research is done there? The CSOs should engage with the education authorities and dialogue with them what they should focus on. They must demand that their teaching should find solutions to the tribal communities of Odisha, not just for the companies abroad. The Covid pandemic reminds us to learn about the local knowledge. Therefore, the research and teaching curriculum should learn from the large body of knowledge from the indigenous local communities of Odisha which has been known for centuries together but has been discarded.
• Odisha has become home to large number of national and multi-national companies. They work on mining and varieties of manufacturing. We are an inter-connected world, where the civil society has done as much as they can. Given their capacity and talent, they should directly start engaging with the business community of Odisha and have dialogue with them how business is changing to respond to Covid pandemic and the needs of the people; and how they can contribute to the development of the state.

Prof. Amitabh Kundu

• In his address, Prof. Amitabh Kundu clarified that the issues in Odisha have come out clearly with certain tentative solutions in the Odisha Development Report, 2020. Reflecting on some of the key issues he said, growth rate has been impressive in Odisha during the last decade, though not as high as state like Madhya Pradesh. However, the share of agriculture production to GSDP has gone down. Rural poverty has not come down as compared to the agricultural growth rate. Further, Odisha is also lagging behind in the social sectors including health and education which is a matter of concern.
• With regard to migration, the ratio of out-migration and in-migration in Odisha is much better as compared to states like Bihar and UP. Though Odisha is liberal to migration, most of the migrants are unskilled. No doubt, migration is encouraged but at the same time there is a need for skilling the migrants.
• Despite low population growth rate, death rate is high in Odisha. However, the state is emerging as a middle level state in the coming decades. There is need for fixation of relative price for the agricultural products especially the natural farming produces including rice linked with the global market price, development of infrastructure facilities, sectoral diversification, small towns have to come up, and rural-urban linkage to be strengthened.

Dr. Bhagbanprakash

• Bhagbanprakash was concerned about the development paradox in Odisha. There are huge sources of water but irrigation coverage is low; soil is rich but production is low; political stability is there but development is not encouraging and inclusive. The greater challenge is that Odisha is an agrarian state, but the share of agriculture to GSDP is low. Having all the development possibilities, Odisha is still underdeveloped.
• More than 30000 civil society organizations are there in the state of Odisha. Their contribution broadly includes empowering the vulnerable communities, facilitating access to entitlements of the disadvantaged groups, piloting and demonstrating impact, holding the development actors accountable to the public and influencing public policy.
• They have been deeply involved in activities like informing and educating citizens, creating an enabling environment, building capacity for collective action, empowering marginalised people, building social capital, and supporting the livelihoods of the poor. They are also engaged in building resilient communities to respond to the natural calamities, and putting sustained efforts to protect the environment. The contribution of the civil society in Odisha in supplementing the efforts of the government in responding to various natural calamities in Odisha starting from Super Cyclone 1999 to Cyclone FANI 2019 and the Biological disaster Covid -19 pandemic has been well recognised at different levels.
• In comparison to other actors, the civil society is more responsive, energetic, and flexible and act with speed. They are closer to the people and the ground reality. They are catalysts of social change, work with less overhead and high out-put. They are not for profit, non-political, value oriented and optimists. Their work approach is professional and human and their work is constantly under public scrutiny.
• The civil society has immense potential for the development of the state. There needs to be strong collaboration and partnership between the government and the civil society to make it happen.

Justice Ananga Kumar Pattnaik: Keynote Address

• Justice Ananga Kumar Pattnaik in his address reiterated that the development priorities have been clearly articulated in the Odisha Development Report 2020. However, drinking water, education, health and livelihoods of the tribals are the key priorities to him. So far as public health is concerned, particularly in rural and tribal areas, it can’t be given to the private bodies. Similarly, school education can’t be privatised. There has to be public investment in school education.
• A lot of out-migration to be dealt with in Odisha. Rural employment is a big problem for which migration is taking place. Odisha has to catch-up with minerals and NTFP based industries and can do well.
• Farmers’ income has to be increased. We have to think of for the poor including the urban poor and the slum dwellers.
• In Odisha, there is lack of entrepreneurs and business people. Unless the skill of entrepreneurship and enterprise promotion is developed among the youngsters, there can’t be any business. They will only run after job, especially government job.
• Odisha has been facing natural calamities in some form or the other every year. Dealing with natural calamities is a big issue in the state.

This apart, the civil society may also think of the emerging concerns as follows.

• Promotion of peace, harmony and brotherhood to accelerate the process of development.
• Promotion of organic agriculture/ natural farming which is in line with the Fundamental Duties as reflected in the Article 51 of Indian Constitution.
• The people of Odisha, particularly in the tribal and rural areas, are with full of superstitions. Social reform in terms of development of scientific temper and spirit of enquiry is absolutely required.

To find ways out, he was of the view that, if resources are organised, development will certainly take place. Sharing his experience as the oversight authority of Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Corporation (OMBADC), he said around INR 16000 crores is available for the development of the tribals and the local community in the districts of Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Sundergarh. Citing an example, he said the Model Schools opened by the government in these districts have been provided with funds for infrastructure development including hostel facilities for boys and girls, supply of drinking water, toilet etc. to ensure quality education for the tribal children.

Suggesting the role of civil society in the journey of development in Odisha, he said, having much understanding on the development issues; they must be able to influence government, legislature and the judiciary. Citing examples, he took the names of Vishakha judgment, RTI Act and NFSA are some of the key reforms which have come up because of the interventions of the civil society in the country. They can also supplement to the government interventions in response to the natural calamities, he added. However, they lack resources and don’t have resources of their own. If they demonstrate credibility and perform, there are many people to provide resources.

He thanked the collaborators of ODI for giving the opportunity to listen to them and take inputs, and assured them to provide support as the oversight authority of OMBADC in the development of Odisha.

Shri Jagadananda

Reiterating on the development priorities, Shri Jagadananda opined that there are two components of development – hard ware and soft ware. While the government mechanism is good at managing the hard ware component; the civil society is good at dealing with the soft ware component in terms of social mobilization and facilitating community actions which include helping people in local planning, developing skill of community leadership, market negotiation, enterprise promotion. If both the actors join hands they can make impossible possible. Therefore, collaboration among all the development partners is the need of the hour.

But at this point of time as resource is a problem, international funding is getting limited and social development is getting tightened. In the tribal areas especially in the districts under OMBADC or DMF both the hardware and software components have to be taken care of very carefully. The civil society should be given the opportunity to come-in in a big way to deal with the software part in collaboration with the district administration concerned under the guidance of OMBADC.

 Shri Prafulla Kumar Sahoo

There is no substitute to volunteerism and voluntary action in development. The volunteers are not paid, but their service can’t be measured in terms of money, it is priceless.  They believe in Joy of giving, joy of loving and joy of caring.

There is strong need for collaboration and synergy building, building trust and solidarity among the development actors through regular dialogue and discourse towards realisation of inclusive and sustainable development in Odisha.

The session ended with vote of thanks by Shri Prafulla Kumar Sahoo to all the collaborators of ODI, the distinguished panellists, delegates and participants for making the event successful.