Bhubaneswar: The Press Information Bureau (PIB), Bhubaneswar, organized a Regional Media Workshop titled Vartalap at Phulbani on 24 December, emphasizing the importance of engaged grassroots communication for effective governance. The event focused specifically on VB-G RAM G 2025, seeking to strengthen collaboration between the government and media to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
Presiding over the workshop, Shri Akhil Kumar Mishra, Additional Director General, PIB & CBC (Odisha & Jharkhand Region), delivered the keynote address. He stated that the primary objective of the PIB is to ensure government policies effectively reach the people. Mishra emphasized that timely and credible communication reinforces public trust and highlighted the vital role regional media plays in carrying development messages to the last mile.
The workshop featured several distinguished guests, including Shri Birupakshya Tripathy, Executive Editor of The Pragativadi, who stressed that journalists must clearly understand the objectives of restructured welfare schemes to communicate them effectively. He specifically noted the importance of rural journalists in supporting the implementation of initiatives like the VB-G RAM G Scheme.
Shri Rashmi Ranjan Maharana, Additional Director of the Agriculture Department, discussed schemes such as PM Fasal Bima Yojana, PM-KISAN, and the Soil Health Card, which aim to ensure income security and sustainable farming.
Shri Gadadhar Patra, Project Administrator, ITDA, spoke on the holistic development of tribal communities through initiatives like the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) and PM-JANMAN.
Shri Sambhunath Nandi, Chief Development Officer, highlighted local implementation in Kandhamal for programs including PM Awas Gramin, PM Surya Ghar, and rural electrification.
The program was welcomed by Shri Pradeep Kumar Choudhury, Assistant Director at CBC, who described Vartalap as a platform where policy meets public perception.
The inaugural session was moderated by Shri Swadhin Shakti Prasad, Media & Communication Officer, and concluded with a vote of thanks by Shri M.K. Jali, Deputy Director at PIB.
Local journalists from Phulbani and surrounding areas participated in interactive discussions with the officials throughout the session.