Di4C Leads Dialogue on WASH and Climate Resilience in Odisha
Written by Radio4Child on 25 April 2025
Youth and community champions pledge bold action for a greener, stronger future
25 April 2025 | Bhubaneswar, Odisha – The two-day Knowledge Fair cum Symposium on “Building WASH and Climate Resilient Communities”, organized by Development Initiatives for Change (Di4C), concluded here today with participation from over 100 individuals, including representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), students, teachers, youth leaders, government representatives and policymakers from across Odisha.
Over two days, the event featured expert dialogues, interactive WASH development sessions, behaviour change communication games, and conversations on innovative technologies, including the use of artificial intelligence for climate monitoring and urban water systems—all aligned with the goals of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
A gallery walk of innovation stalls showcased work on the intersecting themes of youth, gender, and sustainable WASH systems in the context of climate resilience. A cultural evening celebrated local engagement, while the Canvas Point and FM Radio bytes added a unique layer of community interaction—capturing voices from the field and amplifying them through creative media.
Mrs. Anu Garg, IAS, Development Commissioner of Odisha, and Additional Chief Secretary of the Departments of Water Resources and Planning & Convergence Department in Government of Odisha, was the Chief Guest for the occasion. She has been serving the Government of Odisha for the past 32 years, and has witnessed all major cyclones that have struck the state—including those in 1999, 2009, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2024. She emphasized on creating disaster-resilient infrastructure, ensuring long-term preparedness in the face of a changing climate. She urged everyone to participate in the water bodies preservation campaign by writing articles, stories, painting or taking pictures about various water bodies.
“Sustainability has become critical in all spheres of life. The best practices brought up in this workshop will nurture action towards bringing awareness,” she said.
Presenting his welcome address, Prof. Chandi Charan Rath, Vice-Chancellor (I/C), Rama Devi Women’s University (RDWU), said, “By adopting a comprehensive approach that includes research, education, community engagement, and advocacy, we can make a significant impact on promoting WASH and addressing climate change. Universities have the opportunity to share their research findings to policymakers, thereby informing decision-making related to WASH and climate change matters.”
RDWU also played the host for the event.
Dr Malika Basu, Gender Analyst & Knowledge Management Specialist and Founder-Proprietor, Di4C, said, “This symposium marks a significant step in our ongoing journey to build a more resilient and inclusive Odisha. Di4C believes that real change happens when communities take charge—what we witnessed here was the collective energy of youth, CSOs, and local institutions shaping the future of WASH in the face of climate threats.”
Mr. P.K. Hota, President & Group Head – CSR, Education, and Odisha Corporate Communications at Jindal Steel & Power Ltd, along with Ms. Abha Mishra, Head of Office, UNDP, co-chaired the session on “WASH & Climate Resilience: Building Sustainable Communities.”
The event was supported by a strong coalition of partners. Jindal Steel and the Jindal Foundation served as Knowledge Support Partners, while Bayshore Intelligence Solutions joined as the Technology Partner. Key collaborating partners included Gram Vikas and WaterAid. Additional support came from the Youth Council for Development Alternatives (YCDA), the PG Department of Women’s Studies at RDWU, and the Sarala Devi Centre for Gender Research.
Participating CSOs included Pulbani Rural Development Kandamal (RESI), PAHAD, SEBA JAGAT (RESI), SWABHIMAN, AVIYAN, IIEC, ADARSA, and PAHADVO, among others.
The forum also served as a platform for youth from different districts of Odisha to take a collective pledge for climate action—emphasizing their commitment to protect Odisha’s ecological heritage. The pledge stated: “As a young citizen of Odisha and India, I pledge to stand up for climate action and protect the natural beauty of our land. I will live green, think green, and act green-starting in my own community. I promise to support local solutions, Save Water, raise hygiene awareness and fight climate change. Together, we will grow a greener, cleaner and stronger Odisha and inspire change across India.”
A compendium of best practices and a policy brief derived from the symposium will be released in the coming weeks to inform policy and serve as a resource for development practitioners. A State Experts Consultative Meeting is also scheduled to follow, translating these discussions into a strategic action plan for resilient WASH systems.
Featured Image: Mrs. Anu Garg, IAS, Development Commissioner of Odisha, and Additional Chief Secretary of the Departments of Water Resources and Planning & Convergence Department in Government of Odisha, interacts with students of Rama Devi Women’s University, Bhubaneswar, during the Knowledge Fair and Symposium on WASH and Climate Change organized by Di4C
About Development Initiatives for Change (Di4C)
Development Initiatives for Change (Di4C) is a registered proprietorship firm that provides knowledge-based services to development organizations, including non-profits, private, and public entities. The Di4C initiative is aligned to the Global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which focuses on youngsters, children and youth, amplify their voices and activate them to participate as partners in any process of change.
For more information contact:
+91 9818592552
di4c.org@gmail.com
