Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Odisha Names Shakti Apa Mentors For Female College Students
The Odisha government wants to help female college students feel safer and more confident.
It will appoint respected women as “Shakti Apa,” which means elder sister in Odia.
These women will guide and encourage students.
They may include retired police officers and army personnel.
Each district will normally choose five mentors.
A district can choose up to 10 if it needs more coverage.
Mentors will visit colleges once every three months.
They will also submit a report after each visit.
The Odisha government will appoint distinguished women as “Shakti Apa” mentors in every district.
Each district must nominate five women professionals, with the number potentially rising to 10.
Retired police and army personnel are among those eligible for the mentoring roles.
Mentors will visit designated colleges every three months to discuss safety, empowerment and well-being.
The initiative is part of Shaktishree, and several districts have already nominated mentors.
- Who
- The Odisha government, district colleges and selected distinguished women professionals, including retired police and army personnel.
- What
- The government will appoint “Shakti Apa” mentors to support female college students’ safety, empowerment and well-being.
- When
- The department issued its communication on Tuesday, and officials announced the decision on Wednesday; mentors will visit colleges every three months.
- Where
- Across Odisha’s districts, at designated higher educational institutions.
- Why
- To provide mentorship, strengthen safety awareness and self-confidence, and support Shaktishree empowerment cells.
- Initiative
- Shaktishree
- Mentor title
- Shakti Apa, meaning elder sister in Odia
- Standard district nominations
- Five distinguished women professionals
- Maximum nominations
- Up to 10 per district, depending on geographic spread and size
- Visit schedule
- Once every three months
- Expenses
- The designated institute will pay the mentor’s travel and daily allowance
- Reporting
- Mentors must submit a comprehensive visit report after each visit
- Districts already named
- Anugola, Baleshwar, Baragada, Debagada, Kalahandi, Khordha, Kendujhar and Rayagada