Miles to Go in achieving the Millennium Development Goal
Eradication of poverty, universal primary education, women empowerment, environmental protection, eradication of HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases, reduction of IMR and MMR etc were figured as goals under MDG. To achieve the targeted 8 goals under MDG, heads of 189 nations had set 24 indicators. But, despite a lot of effort, yet miles to go in achieving the MDG. ‘To achieve the set goals, consolidated effort is required’, as opined in the workshop on Thursday.
To capture the current status of Millennium Development Goal (MDG) and demand of young citizens regarding Sustainable Development Goal, Wada Na Todo Abhiyan has initiated the process across the country under the ‘Global Call for Action 2015’. Under this process, in Odisha, a workshop was organised in collaboration with CYSD, WaterAid, CCWD, World Vision, BGVS, JSA, RCDC, SODA and NAWO, in which, there were more than 100 school and college students of the state capital had participated.
Regional head of WaterAid, Ms. Bishakha Bhanja, Social Scientist Ms. Sashiprava Bindhani, CYSD Cairman Mr. P. K. Sahu, RCDC Director Mr. Asim Mahapatra, Journalist Mr. Bighneswar Sahu and Mr. Dillip Subudhi had deliberated on various indicators of MDG and progress made against those indicators in Odisha. Ms. Sasmita Bhoi, Mr. Manoranjan Maharana, Md. Hyder, Mr. Ashutosh Mohapatra, Ms. Madhusmita Sahu, Ms. Smrutisikha are the students, who raised the issues like lack of quality education, water and sanitation, various communicable diseases and also suggested various measures to be taken up in addressing the issues.
A charter of demand suggesting measures for hunger free nation, human and environmental protection, combating climate change, health and education for all, eradicating child labour, eradicating gender based violence, safe drinking water and sanitation for all was prepared by the participants, which has been submitted to Honourable Governor of Odisha and District Magistrate cum Collector, Khordha.
The similar process has also been initiated on the same day across many districts in Odisha by local initiatives. The process marked on 15th January 2015 will be continued. It is to be noted that the MDG was being launched on 15th January 2000 targeting till 2015 and the process has been symbolically launched on the same date i.e. 15th January.