Odisha Foundation Day: Celebrating Progress and Inclusivity

By Vishu Mishra /CEGIS

Odisha Foundation Day, also known as Utkal Divas or Utkala Dibasha, is celebrated on April 1st each year to reflect upon the state's rich heritage and culture. Originally known as Orissa, the state was renamed to its present popular name, Odisha, in March 2011 through the 113th constitutional amendment passed in the Lok Sabha. The day commemorates the remarkable journey of Odisha's growth, balancing rich traditions with advancements in the development sector. In recent years, the state has made significant efforts to improve the public focus sectors, to name a few - Healthcare, Education, Infrastructure, and Tourism. These efforts promote effective governance methods and have led to better transparency in delivering public services. For instance, the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD) has taken several initiatives to improve the overall quality of life, such as - adequate infrastructure amenities, effective civic service management, affordable housing, safe drinking water, and better sanitation.

CEGIS collaborated with HUDD to improve the department's competencies, and human resources capabilities. CEGIS has directly participated, collaborating with IDinsight and Janaagraha a through the project ‘Piloting Competency-based HR Management within the Department of Housing and Urban Development’ for the government of Odisha—the project aimed to develop competency profiles and standardise work allocation for critical positions. The project used a mixed methodology approach, listed the activities, and mapped competencies required to perform critical positions. This approach helped develop effective performance assessments and accountability systems at each HUDD level, resulting in an improved program impact on the ground. Celebrating the Odisha Foundation Day today provides us with an opportunity to not only connect with the past, but also reflect on these positive development activities for the prosperous future of the state. CEGIS congratulates the state’s development oriented actions so far and hopes to contribute towards more activities in the coming future.?