Dikhyaa Mohanty 
In response to Odisha’s evolving demographic profile and the growing need for integrated, future-ready systems to support older persons and persons with disabilities, a high-level consultative meeting on the proposed Odisha Resource Center for Ageing & Divyangjan (ORCAD) was convened in Bhubaneswar. The consultation was organised by the Department of Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD), Government of Odisha, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund. It brought together senior government officials, representatives of United Nations agencies including the United Nations Development Programme and UNICEF, along with development partners and domain experts.
As a state-level center of excellence, ORCAD is intended to act as a strategic hub for improving accessibility, inclusiveness, and coordinated service delivery for Divyangjan and senior citizens throughout Odisha. In line with the goals of Viksit Odisha 2036 and 2047, the Center is anticipated to enhance departmental convergence, facilitate evidence-based policy and programming, and develop capacities at all administrative levels, enabling their meaningful participation in the State’s economic and social development.
Suresh Kumar Vashishth, Principal Secretary of the SSEPD Department, underscored the importance of developing responsive and inclusive systems that can address the complex and intersecting needs emerging from demographic transition. He reaffirmed the State’s commitment to ensuring dignity, independence, and equitable access to opportunities for all.
