Baripada, (02/04): On the occasion of the inauguration of the state-level Anganwadi Center, 12 newly constructed Anganwadi Centers in different areas of Mayurbhanj District have been inaugurated through virtual means. In this virtual inauguration program held at the Women and Child Development Department conference room, Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Phamagi along with Minister for Rural Development, Panchayatiraj and Drinking Water Mr. Ravi Narayan Naik inaugurated the centers through video conferencing. On this occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Mrs. Parida mentioned that Anganwadi centers are working as the basic foundation of early education and nutrition services for children and this will further improve the services of women and children in rural areas. Similarly, Shri Naik, Minister of Rural Development, Panchayatiraj and Drinking Water Department, said this is a big step towards child and maternal empowerment. Anganwadi centers will strengthen rural infrastructure and help in overall development of children, he said. 12 Anganbari in various places of the district, viz., Meunga in Morada block, Simi village and Sarasposhi in Karanjia block, Sunaposhi and Keutunimari-2 in Kuliana block, Tiakati in Bishoi block, Ladapani in Rasgobindpur block, Damdihi in Tiring block, Yugo and Padpada in Betanti block, Kaptipadar Dhadasahi and Parakhunta etc. The newly constructed Anganwadi Center was inaugurated on this occasion. These newly constructed Anganwadi Centers provide children with an attractive pre-school learning environment, toys and educational materials, clean drinking water, clean toilets and nutrition services. It will support the overall physical and mental development of children as well as provide health care and nutrition awareness to pregnant and lactating mothers. Presiding over the program held at Oswan Hall in the district, District Collector Mr. Hemkant Sai expressed the opinion that these new Anganwadi centers will improve the quality of nutrition services and early education in the district and will give a new direction to the overall development of children and women. Additional Executive Officer (District Council) Mr. Shantanu Kumar Naik, District Social Welfare Officer Ms. Niharika Mohanty, District Information and Public Relations Officer Mr. Shishir Kumar Munduya, all Divisional Program Officers, Omwadc Officers, Nutrition Officers, all concerned CDPOs, Supervisors, and Anganwadi workers participated in this program.