Khajuripada ,–Nov 29: In Kandhamal district, under K. Nuagaon block, an anti-addiction awareness rally was organized by the women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) of Jiridikia.
The rally started from the village committee hall and passed through Gasaguda, Tala Gasaguda, Mundasahi, Taganaju, and Danderisahi, where the women participants spread awareness among the villagers.
During the rally, women from various SHGs held placards promoting awareness against different forms of addiction such as tobacco (pudia), gutkha, country liquor (mahuḷi), and foreign liquor. They also used microphones to deliver awareness messages to the public.
The event was led by Jiridikia Sarpanch Raj Kumari Pradhan, Samiti Member Labani Behera, Naib Sarpanch Rashmita Pradhan, Ma Narayani SHG President Minati Pradhan, Secretary Sushama Pradhan, along with members Shushila Pradhan, Mabali Pradhan, and more than a hundred other women participants.
As part of the awareness initiative, the women also emptied and destroyed pots of mahuḷi liquor in various local brew huts to discourage illegal alcohol consumption.