By Odisha Today Bureau

On Tuesdays the Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, flagged off the Mission Shakti caravan from the Odisha secretariat office to create awareness among women regarding the various welfare schemes launched by the state government. The scheme that aims towards women empowerment is now promoted at a higher scale. A total number of 25 LED-fitted vehicles, which have been transformed into chariots, were flagged of yesterday. The mission Shakti programme, which was launched by the Odisha CM on 8^th March 2001, involves around 70 lakh women through six lakh women Self Help Groups (SHGs). The caravan aims to travel all panchayat and different urban areas of the state to create awareness among women through various options like in terms of sharing a story in forms of video and audio formats and can also get messages from the SHGs which will lead the women to organise competition to enhance their skill in various fields of development. 

Other members who were also present during the flag off were Women and Child Development Minister Sri Prafulla Samal, Development Commissioner Sri Asit Tripathy and senior officials.

The caravan will not only promote Mission Shakti but also aims to create basic awareness among the women regarding their rights in the society and rights available to them in the constitution where the women are treated with equality and utmost respect.