The Indian Metals and Ferro Alloys Limited (IMFA) launched ‘Kanya Express’ in Rayagada district on Friday to create awareness among adolescent girls on education, health, and hygiene.
The initiative was launched from IMFA’s plant at Therubali in Rayagada.
The vehicle carrying the awareness campaign was flagged off by district sub-collector, Bhimasen Sabar.
As per reports, nine panchayats will be covered by the Kanya Express in the first phase. This will be expanded further to all blocks in the future. The vehicle has pharmacists and other staff who will carry out many activities in villages including quiz contests.
The flagging-off ceremony was also attended by the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), Lala Mohan Routray and the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Kolnara, Gourachandra Patnaik.
Speaking about the launch, Sabar said, “This is definitely a welcome step taken by IMFA. I am so happy for this.”
“In Rayagada, the total literacy rate is 50 percent. While the literacy rate of males is 51 percent, the girl literacy rate in the district stands at 33 percent. I think this initiative by the IMFA will definitely help boost the girl literacy rate in the district. I think if all other corporates join hands and launch such kind of initiatives, then Rayagada will be transformed in no time,” he added.
“Though the Health department is conducting many such campaigns from time to time, this initiative by IMFA will definitely help us in our effort to increase female education in the district. I will direct the Anganwadi and ANM staff in the district to cooperate with Kanya Express wherever they visit in the district to spread the awareness,” said CDMO of Rayagada, Lala Mohan Routray.