Bhubaneswar, March 15 The Odisha government will distribute sports equipment in 485 villages affected by Maoists across 10 districts, officials said on Sunday.
Under the ‘Gramodaya’ campaign, the Department of Sports and Youth Services will provide these kits to integrate the youth of remote and Maoist-affected regions into the mainstream, while fostering sporting talent among them, an official statement said.
The department has sanctioned a total of Rs 2.42 crore for the scheme, it said.
The youth of Bargarh, Bolangir, Boudh, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, and Rayagada districts will benefit from this initiative, the statement said.
Each identified village will receive a sports kit worth Rs 50,000, which will include essential equipment for outdoor games like cricket, football, volleyball, and badminton along with indoor games like chess and carrom, it said.
“Gramodaya is more than just a distribution program; it is a message of peace, progress, and social harmony in Maoist-affected regions. The core objective of the Odisha government is to bring hidden talent from remote areas to the limelight through sports, while promoting a healthy and disciplined lifestyle,” the department said in the statement.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has set a target to eliminate Maoists from the country by the end of March.