Bhubaneswar: With changing times, there is a need to change the perspective and renew the focus on accelerated governance. And today, the youth, particularly the women are at the forefront in bringing in transformation both in the society and governance. Keeping in tune with the changing needs, Odisha is transforming itself and the focus is now on women and youth. The recently held urban elections in the state more aptly define the way the state is moving towards empowering its youth and women. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has been continuously supporting the changeover to youth and women and has made every possible effort in this regard. From giving tickets to highest number of women and youth to winning seats, Biju Janata Dal led by Naveen has been leading the way.
The elections for the Urban polls are over and the office bearers including the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Mayors and Deputy Mayors have taken charge. What makes these elections an important development in the history of urban governance in the state is the thrust on women and youth. They are young, they are educated and they represent the aspirations of the growing number of socially and politically conscious citizens. First Cuttack, then Berhampur and now Bhubaneswar – all the three Municipal corporations have seen an increased participation of women and youth. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has opted to empower the new generation men and women. The Biju Janata Dal has given the maximum number of tickets to women and youth and most of them have won. While in Berhampur and Bhubaneswar, two women have been made Mayors, all the three deputy mayors belong to the young aspiring generation.
The Biju Janata Dal gave tickets keeping an eye on women empowerment. In the direct elections held for the post of Mayor in the three cities of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Berhampur, two women won with thumping majority. And for the Deputy Mayor’s post, the Biju Janata Dal nominated the young brigade. Manjulata Kanhar – a young and energetic lady in her early twenties has been made the Deputy Mayor for the Smart City. The aim behind this move is to empower the women of the city and give a chance to the youth. Likewise, in Cuttack, Damayanti Majhi has been made the Deputy Mayor. Living in a basti of Cuttack, Damayanti knows what the Silver city wants. In Berhampur, the youngest Corporator E Vivek Reddy has been made the Deputy Mayor. All three of them carry with them a zeal for development and they represent the aspirations of the young generation. These moves by the Biju Janata Dal are nothing but the foresightedness of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik who wants to give the youth a chance in governance. The overall elections results also show that there is a balance between experienced and new comers.
Cuttack Mayor Subash Singh has vast political experience, and to assist him, Damayanti Majhi will be there who comes from the scheduled tribes. Coming from a poor family, Damayanti knows the requirements of the Cuttack as a society and how the people living in the bastis and slums need to be uplifted.
In Berhampur, Mayor Sanghamitra is a seasoned political leader with local mass support. She knows the Silk city from the core and understands what needs to be done to transform it into one of the best in the country. She has got one of the best talents as her Deputy. E Vivek Reddy has been choosen as the Deputy Mayor of Berhampur and he represents the young generation. Twenty six years old Vivek has won with a margin of more than 2300 votes.
For Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, BJD supremo has picked up Manjulata Kanhar, a 28-year-old tribal Corporator from Ward No.22, for the post of Deputy Mayor. Manjulata has left behind many heavyweights in the race to deputy mayor and won the elections unopposed. By choosing Manjulata for the prestigious BMC post, the BJD has demonstrated its commitment towards political empowerment of women. The young tribal Corporator, who is a post-graduate in political science from Sambalpur University, has said she will work for the progress of the Capital city and address waterlogging and drainage issues on a priority basis. For the first time ever, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation has got woman as Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Women also comprise a majority of the Corporator seats in the BMC. Out of the 67 Corporators posts, 41 are women and out of them 35 are from Biju Janata Dal.
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