Odisha’s Department of Women and Child Development, in collaboration with Rocket Learning, inaugurated the National ECCE & Education Conclave at LYFE Hotels, Bhubaneswar, today.
The two-day conclave, being held on 11–12 November, aims to strengthen Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) through an integrated approach focusing on nutrition, healthcare, early stimulation and play-based learning during the first six years of a child’s life.
The inaugural session witnessed the participation of senior government officials, policymakers, health and education experts, and development partners.
Monisha Banerjee, IAS, Director, Women and Child Development, delivered the welcome address, while Dr Mrinalini Darswal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, W&CD, presented Odisha’s journey in strengthening ECCE.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Paediatrician and Former Deputy Director, WHO, highlighted the critical importance of the first six years in shaping a child’s lifelong health, learning and development. Dr V.K. Paul, Former Member, NITI Aayog, spoke on strengthening ECCE through an empowered Anganwadi workforce and a holistic approach to early childhood development.
Speaking about Asa Kheliba Asa Sikhiba (Come, Let’s Play, Let’s Learn), Dr Mrinalini Darswal, Commissioner- cum- Secretary,WCD highlighted the role of technology, empowered educators and active parental engagement in strengthening early learning systems. He reiterated the importance of collaborative efforts with the Government to deliver quality early childhood development at scale.
As part of the conclave, the W&CD Department unveiled three key initiatives:
- Digital Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials for children aged 0–6 years to promote early childhood care, learning and parental engagement.
- A video highlighting the importance of the early years and responsive parenting under ECCE.
- Supalana, Rocket Learning’s Birth-to-3 programme, aimed at strengthening early childhood development.
Swayamprava Mohanty, Additional Secretary, ECCE, W&CD, proposed the vote of thanks for the inaugural session.
Expert deliberations on the 0–6 years continuum
Three panel discussions were organised during the day, covering critical dimensions of early childhood development.
The first session, The First Three Years: Nurturing Health, Nutrition & Early Stimulation (0–3 Years), deliberated on essential care, nutrition, early stimulation and Odisha’s community-based ECCE model. The panel comprised Dr Ramya Pinnamaneni, Public Health Consultant; Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde, Collector and District Magistrate, Cuttack; and Dr Satyajit Naik, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Central Range, Odisha. Sukhna Sawhney, Education & Content Lead, Rocket Learning, moderated the session.
The second session, Building School Readiness: Play-Based Learning & Model Anganwadi Centre Delivery (3–6 Years), focused on the national roadmap for pre-school education and strengthening Anganwadi Centres as quality early learning spaces. The panel included Dr Rita Pattnaik, Additional Director, SPNIWCD; Chandrika Nayak, Deputy Director, SCERT; Dr Beena Koshy, Professor, CMC Vellore; and Radhika Jha, Ministry of Women and Child Development, who joined virtually. Monisha Banerjee, Director, ICDS & SW, moderated the discussion.
The third session, Partnerships for Early Childhood Development, explored interdepartmental convergence, public-private partnerships and CSR-led interventions, drawing insights from Meghalaya’s Early Childhood Development Mission. The panellists included Mr Ronald Kynta, COO, Meghalaya ECD Mission; Nirupa Behera, Deputy Director, Pedagogy, OSEPA; and Itishree Das, OAS, Special Secretary to Government, W&CD Department, Odisha. Radhika Mathur, State Initiative & Policy Lead, moderated the session.
The first day of the conclave reaffirmed the importance of an integrated early childhood development framework built on quality nutrition, healthcare, early learning, an empowered Anganwadi workforce, active parental participation and convergence among government departments.
