Odisha To Distribute 1 Crore Copies Of ‘Lakshmi Purana’ To Promote Women’s Empowerment And Social Equality

The Odisha government has announced a major cultural initiative to spread the message of women’s empowerment, social equality and cleanliness through the timeless Odia classic ‘Lakshmi Purana’. As part of the plan, the state will distribute around one crore copies of the text across Odisha, making the work accessible to households, students and readers across the state.

The announcement was made by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida during a national seminar in Puri. She said the initiative aims to highlight the progressive values embedded in ‘Lakshmi Purana’, especially its emphasis on dignity, equality, cleanliness and respect for women.

Alongside the book distribution drive, the government has also announced the development of a ‘Lakshmi Purana Corridor’ at the memorial of 15th-century poet Balaram Das in Begunia village under Gop block. The project will be developed at an estimated cost of ₹28 crore.

The proposed corridor will be taken up in consultation with the Culture Department and is expected to be completed within three years. Once completed, it is likely to become an important cultural and literary destination linked to Odisha’s devotional and reformist traditions.

‘Lakshmi Purana’, written by Balaram Das, holds a special place in Odia literature and Jagannath culture. The text is widely regarded as a powerful work that challenged social barriers and carried forward the message of equality, caste harmony and women’s dignity.

The government also plans to translate the book into multiple Indian languages so that its message can reach a wider audience beyond Odisha. This move is expected to help introduce the philosophical and social significance of the text to readers across the country.

Scholars present at the seminar noted that ‘Lakshmi Purana’ remains relevant even today because of its progressive outlook. They said the text reflects ideas of gender equality, social justice and inclusive devotion long before such themes became part of modern public discourse.

With the distribution of one crore copies and the development of the proposed corridor, the Odisha government aims to preserve and promote one of the state’s most meaningful literary works. The initiative is also expected to strengthen public awareness about Odisha’s cultural heritage while spreading a message of empowerment, equality and social reform.