By New Delhi Chronicle Staff Writer
Kendrapara, Odisha – In a powerful stand against deep-seated social discrimination, the Nuagaon Anganwadi centre in Odisha’s Kendrapara district buzzed with the laughter of children once again this Monday. The reopening follows a high-profile visit by BJP National Vice President and Kendrapara MP, Baijayant “Jay” Panda, who broke a three-month-long caste-based deadlock by publicly consuming a meal prepared by the centre’s Dalit cook.
The Three-Month Deadlock
The controversy began in November 2025, when Sharmistha Sethy, a 21-year-old Dalit woman and the first graduate in her community, was appointed as a helper-cum-cook at the Nuagaon centre. Following her appointment, several upper-caste families in the village allegedly stopped sending their children to the facility, refusing to allow them to eat food prepared by her.
For nearly 90 days, the centre remained largely deserted. Despite multiple interventions by the district administration and the State Commission for Women, the boycott persisted, leaving nearly 20 children without vital nutrition and early education services.
A Meal for Equality
On Sunday, MP Baijayant Panda visited the village to address the standoff directly. In a symbolic gesture aimed at shattering untouchability myths, the MP sat with local leaders and villagers to share a meal of rice and dal prepared by Sethy.
“Delighted at children having a nutritious meal today at the Nuagaon Anganwadi,” Panda shared on social media. “It was heartening to see the community coming together to ensure great beginnings for their children.”
The MP’s visit, combined with sustained counseling from district officials, finally convinced the villagers to relegate their differences to the background.
The Return to Normalcy
On Monday morning, 16 out of the 20 enrolled children returned to the centre, accompanied by their parents. They were welcomed with ragi ladoos and a warm atmosphere.
Sharmistha Sethy, visibly emotional, expressed her relief:
“I served ragi ladoos to the children today. Seeing them eat the meals made me overjoyed. I hope caste discrimination will not lurk its ugly head in this village anymore.”
Kendrapara Sub-Collector Arun Kumar Nayak confirmed that senior officials are monitoring the situation closely to ensure the harmony remains intact.
The Road Ahead
While the reopening of the Nuagaon centre is being hailed as a victory for social justice, similar reports of boycotts in other districts like Nuapada suggest that the battle against caste-based discrimination in rural institutions is far from over. The State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) has announced plans to launch an awareness drive to safeguard the rights of children against such prejudices.
For now, the children of Nuagaon are back where they belong: learning, playing, and eating together—regardless of who stirred the pot.
