On June 12, 2020, Odisha became the first State in India to receive prestigious ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 9001:2015 certification for its 44 tribal hostels of Keonjhar (32 hostels) and Sambalpur (12 hostels) districts improving their overall infrastructure and standards under Mission Suvidya.
Assessment:
- The Odisha state’s department of ST & SC Development in association with Quality Control of India (QCI) has conducted a comprehensive assessment & evaluation of all hostels with the aim to improve the standard and quality of the hostels.
- During 1st phase of the assessment , all 60 hostels were selected for intensive interventions of gap filling out of 156 hostels in Keonjhar. Similarly 12 were selected out of 90 hostels of Sambalpur.
- However due to coronavirus (COVID-19), the audit team assessed only 32 hostels of Keonjhar & 12 of Sambalpur in March 2020 & the remaining 28 hostels will be assessed post lockdown.
5T framework:
The certification is an example of the transformation targets set under the state’s 5T(Technology, Transparency, Teamwork, Time and Transformation) framework that aims to bring in transformational, and institutional-level changes in state governance.
About Mission Suvidya:
Launched in December 2019, it aims to improve the quality of basic facilities in the SC (Scheduled Castes) and ST (Scheduled Tribes) hostels like safe building, functional toilets, safe drinking water, proper kitchen and dining, safety, security, health, hygiene and food provisions for students.
About Odisha:
Capital– Bhubaneswar.
Chief minister– Shri Naveen Patnaik
Governor– Ganeshi Lal.
5T Secretary- VK Pandian
Dance forms– Odissi,Chhau, Medha Nacha, Dalkhai, Ghumura.
