Bhubaneswar: Rayagada district has emerged as a national leader in the fight against malnutrition, recently being recognized by NITI Aayog as a “Champion of Change.” This prestigious accolade, which included a ₹5 crore grant, celebrates the transformative health and nutrition initiatives spearheaded by IAS officer Parul Patwari during her tenure as District Collector.

Tackling Malnutrition at the Last Mile: PKP

The cornerstone of this success is the Pada Pushti Karyakrama (PKP)—a hamlet-level nutrition program designed for the most inaccessible tribal areas. Recognizing that traditional Anganwadi centers were often too far for young children in remote terrains, the administration decentralized the feeding process.

Community-Led Nutrition: Under PKP, Self-Help Group (SHG) mothers prepare and serve hot, nutrient-rich meals directly in their hamlets for children aged 7 months to 5 years.

Measurable Success: Data analysis from Muniguda Block showed a significant reduction in Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in villages covered by the PKP model compared to those without it.

Maternal Health: Maa Gruha and QRTs

To combat high-risk pregnancies and infant mortality, Patwari’s administration strengthened the “Maa Gruha” (Maternity Waiting Home) network.

Institutional Delivery: Expectant mothers from remote villages are moved to these homes at least two weeks before delivery to ensure they are close to medical facilities.

Quick Response Teams (QRT): Dedicated teams of ANMs provide immediate assistance and transportation for high-risk cases, ensuring that no mother is left without life-saving care due to geographic barriers.

Data-Driven Governance: The AVNI App

A hallmark of Patwari’s administrative style is the integration of technology. The district deployed “Poshan Sathis”—community change agents who use the AVNI mobile app to track vital health metrics.

Real-Time Monitoring: By recording age, BMI, hemoglobin levels, and birth history digitally, the administration can provide tailored care and special attention to high-risk "relapse" SAM cases.

A New Chapter at OSEPA

Following her successful tenure in Rayagada and Jagatsinghpur, the Government of Odisha has recently appointed Parul Patwari as the State Project Director (SPD) of the Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA). In April 2026, she was also given the additional charge of Member Secretary of the "Mo School" initiative, placing her at the helm of the state’s educational transformation.

The Legacy of Change

From the ITDA Champua convergence model to the Shikshartha cultural education project and the Rayagada Nutri-Revolution, Parul Patwari’s career has been defined by a commitment to the most vulnerable. The ₹5 crore NITI Aayog grant serves as a final testament to her work in Rayagada, providing the resources to scale these life-saving models across other aspirational blocks in India.