Raighar, Nov 28: A block-level livestock fair was recently held at the local mini stadium. The program was attended by Chief Education Minister Nityananda Panda. Honored guests included Member of Parliament representative Preeti Snigdha Mahapatra, District Council Vice President Lipila Daroi, Block President Gupta Prasad Jhankar, Block Vice President Dineshwari Gand, district council members from four zones, all 26 Panchayat heads (Sarpanch), and committee members. Coordinators AEO Ashish Ranjan Panda and Ashwini Kumar Jena, along with stage manager BVSP Prashap Parimita Panda, managed the program.
Minister Panda stated that previously such programs were held only at the district level, which made it difficult for villagers to fully benefit from government schemes and training. Now, by organizing them at the block level, ordinary people can access these opportunities more easily.
He highlighted the “Subhadra Yojana” under which ₹50,000 is provided to help people become self-reliant, demonstrating that with proper guidance, one can achieve financial independence.
During the program, 8 farmers were awarded certificates along with ₹1,000 each. These farmers have become self-reliant through their hard work, dedication, and perseverance in fish farming and animal husbandry, setting an example for their communities.
Among the awardees:
Pradeep Kumar Nath from Kumba Kumuli village – operates a dairy farm
Lagirath Gan from Topara village – self-reliant through vegetable farming
Joy Ma’ Laxmi self-help group from Marigaon village – runs a 2,000-broiler farm
Namita Ray from Raighar village – self-reliant through fish farming
Maharam Ran from Rimarata village – fish farming
Naresh Bairagi from Pawarbel village
Manas Mistry from Parchipara-1 village
Jay Mata self-help group from Kundei village
The Agriculture Department, Women & Child Development Department, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry Department, Agriculture Mechanization Department, and 12 other offices participated in the event. A total of 550 farmers benefitted from the program.
For entertainment, various cultural programs were performed by the BJMS Group for the attending guests and farmers.