Odisha is famous for its heritage sites and enthralling views. From beaches to pilgrimage sites, Odisha offers many sightseeing opportunities to travellers from across the globe. Moreover, Puri Beach Festival and the Jagannath Rath Yatra attract many tourists to Odisha yearly. The National Integrated forum for Artists and Activists (NIFAA) inaugurated its state chapter of ODISHA on 24th February 2020 with the hands of His Excellency the Honourable Governor of Odisha. Initially, it started its operation in 15 districts and gradually expanded its presence in all 30 sections of the State. As committed to the more significant cause of humanity and the social welfare of the commoner, the state chapter has been closely working with local administration, like-minded organizations, civil society and concerned citizens at the grassroots. In the last two years, when the entire world badly suffered from the catastrophe of the pandemic Covid-19, the members of the state and district team came forward to offer selfless service to the needy people in different regions and challenging terrains of the State. It included an awareness camp, distribution of masks, sanitization and essential daily needs, Storybooks and drawing materials for poor students. It reached around 10000 people in different phases. Further, the members helped the local administration in various districts counsel and consoled people to face the tragic time with a positive approach and vigour. Apart from the above, the State actively contributed to the mega Nationwide Blood donation camp organized by the NIFAA headquarters to commemorate the martyr day of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev on 23rd March 2021. The State managed 48 numbers of blood donation camps across the State and donated 2407 blood units to the respective district blood banks of the Government. In this exercise, the State could mobilize the unconditional support from several organizations and individuals on the ground. It also partnered with the State Red Cross Society, NSS Wings and district administrations. The State team also took part in the mega sapling drive across the State as a part of the National Go-Green drive. The teams could also do saplings of around 10000 numbers in three phases in this event. The follow-up service is also taking place. Apart from the above time-bound mega-events, the NIFAA Odisha team also conducted several district- level events. Namely, in the Boudh district, it organized a state-level quiz competition in partnership with the Gyan Prakash’s state-level organization. Approximately 200 number children took part in this competition. The objective was to increase their knowledge and information about the State’s rich cultural and traditional values. The same team also supported district administration during the pandemic by performing theatre-based activities to create awareness among rural people. Another district, namely Jharsuguda, holds two mega-events to observe International Women’s Day on 8th March 2020 & 2021 by organizing the seminar and talk by eminent and grassroots female activists.
Participants discussed and shared challenges and success stories of women in these programmes. The district team also organized a district-level online essay writing competition to nurture young talent. It could reach around 250 participants in different groups who participated in the event. The districts like Sambalpur organized partner sensitization meetings to create awareness and environmental protection during the pandemic. Similarly, the team in Bhubaneswar has organized various literary activities and social activities in the locality to encourage artists and socio-cultural activists. Puri, Jagatsingh Pur, Keonjhar, Angul, and Subarnapur etc Districts organized diverse locality academic, cultural, and social movements. In the coming days, the team ODISHA is planning to expand its activities by reaching out to more people through various developmental activities, particularly in the life of vulnerable, backward and marginalized people, through consistent and continuous efforts.