Dhenkanal’s Tribals Benefit from Aspirational District Programme
Srishti Singh | Sep 28, 2025, 00:08 IST
The Aspirational District Programme is transforming tribal lives in Dhenkanal through education, skill training, healthcare, and nutrition initiatives.
Dhenkanal: The Aspirational District Programme (ADP), launched by the Government of India in 2018 and led by NITI Aayog, aims to improve socio-economic indicators in India’s most underdeveloped districts. Dhenkanal, with a tribal population of 11,92,818 (STs: 1,62,956, 13.5% in 2011), is a key focus area under this initiative.
Several schemes, including Dharti Awa Jan Jati Gram Natkarsh Yojna and PM Jan Man Aduvasi Mahanayak Programme, provide housing, Anganwadi centers, scholarships, school meals, and healthcare. Block-level workers help tribal residents file documents and access benefits using technologies, ensuring government schemes reach those in remote areas.
In an interview, Kavita Das, Additional District Officer of Dhenkanal, provided detailed information about these initiatives.
Education & Skill Development- The programme operates in Kamakhyanagar, on the Dhenkanal border, focusing on tribal education across the district. There are 17 Ashram Schools (classes 1–7), 4 high schools (classes 6–10), and 17 Seva Ashram Schools (classes 1–5), such as Kapilas Girls School and Kankol High School. There schools organize sports, science exhibitions, and other curricular activities, and students who perform well participate at the state level. Tribal people receive skill development training in stitching, mobile repair, and other trades, with advanced training.
According to Kavita Das, “tribal students are now studying, gaining employment, and contributing back to their own blocks, and they are also working in high level posts.”
Health & Nutrition- The Kalpana Programme for Better Health provides mass USG sessions for tribal pregnant women, improving prenatal care and peer support. The Kalpana Poshan Kendra focuses on undernourished children and trains caregivers to prepare nutritious meals using local ingredients. Outreach sessions educate tribal mothers on maternity, family planning, and nutrition.
Challenges & Solutions- Difficult geographic boundaries, communication barriers, and adaptation by primitive tribal populations remain major hurdles. Teachers and officials are trained in tribal languages, and the NEP in Odia and English is implemented with language support.
Implementation & Monitoring- Success comes from coordination between central and state schemes, data-driven monitoring, and community participation. The programme continues to expand, improving education, health, skills, and infrastructure, transforming the lives of tribals in Dhenkanal.
Several schemes, including Dharti Awa Jan Jati Gram Natkarsh Yojna and PM Jan Man Aduvasi Mahanayak Programme, provide housing, Anganwadi centers, scholarships, school meals, and healthcare. Block-level workers help tribal residents file documents and access benefits using technologies, ensuring government schemes reach those in remote areas.
In an interview, Kavita Das, Additional District Officer of Dhenkanal, provided detailed information about these initiatives.
Education & Skill Development- The programme operates in Kamakhyanagar, on the Dhenkanal border, focusing on tribal education across the district. There are 17 Ashram Schools (classes 1–7), 4 high schools (classes 6–10), and 17 Seva Ashram Schools (classes 1–5), such as Kapilas Girls School and Kankol High School. There schools organize sports, science exhibitions, and other curricular activities, and students who perform well participate at the state level. Tribal people receive skill development training in stitching, mobile repair, and other trades, with advanced training.
According to Kavita Das, “tribal students are now studying, gaining employment, and contributing back to their own blocks, and they are also working in high level posts.”
Health & Nutrition- The Kalpana Programme for Better Health provides mass USG sessions for tribal pregnant women, improving prenatal care and peer support. The Kalpana Poshan Kendra focuses on undernourished children and trains caregivers to prepare nutritious meals using local ingredients. Outreach sessions educate tribal mothers on maternity, family planning, and nutrition.
Challenges & Solutions- Difficult geographic boundaries, communication barriers, and adaptation by primitive tribal populations remain major hurdles. Teachers and officials are trained in tribal languages, and the NEP in Odia and English is implemented with language support.
Implementation & Monitoring- Success comes from coordination between central and state schemes, data-driven monitoring, and community participation. The programme continues to expand, improving education, health, skills, and infrastructure, transforming the lives of tribals in Dhenkanal.