Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to uphold child rights and ensure their holistic well-being, the Odisha government has launched “The Orphan Survey – 2025.” This state-wide campaign, which commenced on July 11 and will continue until July 21, aims to meticulously identify and gather detailed information on children in need of care and protection.
Under the ambit of this crucial survey, Anganwadi workers are conducting door-to-door visits to identify children who have lost both parents, children living with a single mother after the demise of their father, or children residing with unemployed fathers suffering from a disability exceeding 40% or a chronic illness following the loss of their mother. The survey will cover all children and minors from birth up to 18 years of age, with their status assessed as of June 1, 2025.
This comprehensive data collection is a vital step towards formulating appropriate care, protection, and rehabilitation plans tailored to the specific needs of each identified child.
The Orphan Survey is a mandated initiative under the state government’s “Yashoda Yojana,” which provisions for such a survey to be conducted across Odisha once every four years. In compliance with this provision, the Women and Child Development Department has issued detailed Orphan Survey Guidelines to all districts.
To ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of the survey, a specialized state-level form has been developed. Extensive training has been provided, starting with master trainers at the district level, who in turn trained local trainers. These trainers then equipped Anganwadi workers with the necessary skills and information to conduct the survey diligently.
The data collected by Anganwadi workers will undergo a multi-stage verification process. It will first be monitored by Supervisors before being submitted to the District Child Protection Unit through the Child Development Project Coordinator. Subsequently, the data for each child will be uploaded to the “Amri Sishu” portal, a dedicated platform for child-related information. The Odisha State Child Protection Committee will then compile and analyze this data to prepare a comprehensive report.
The early identification of children in need of care and protection is paramount to safeguarding their fundamental rights, including the right to survival, development, safety, and participation. The insights gleaned from this survey will be instrumental in enabling the State Government to formulate and revise policies and plans as required, and to facilitate further action through camp sittings by the Child Welfare Committees.
The Department of Women and Child Development has urged the public to extend their full cooperation to the local Anganwadi workers to ensure the resounding success of this vital initiative, which promises a brighter future for the state’s most vulnerable children.