Odisha Chief Secretary Sri Ahuja Unveils Two Books Written by Dr. Gitanjali Mishra

Bhubaneswar:1/12/25:Chief Secretary ShriManojAhuja, IAS, today unveiled two notable books written by Dr. Gitanjali Mishra. The event was held at theLokSevaBhawan in the presence of Ms. AnuGarg, IAS, Development Commissioner-cum-ACS to the Government. Dr. Mishra’s English books, Convergence and Development in India and Ability Beyond Disability released.

In her first book, Convergence and Development in India, Dr. Mishra highlights the developmental initiatives undertaken through convergence across various departments in Odisha, along with a comparative analysis of similar initiatives in different states. The book presents success stories, policy insights, and actionable suggestions. It also covers recent approaches in governance, such as digital convergence at the grassroots level, technological convergence, unlocking local innovation, empowerment and inclusive growth, cashless transactions, and the emergence of a smarter, safer, and inclusive economy. The book also features KPI-based performance indicators from India and Odisha. Dr. Mishra has visited 23 States and incorporated her experiences, insights, and recommendations in this book.

Her second book, Ability Beyond Disability, focuses on the welfare of differently-abled individuals. It provides valuable insights into various policies aimed at their social and economic upliftment, highlighting the importance of community participation, inclusiveness, and collective social responsibility. The book includes interviews with various individuals and is enriched with information drawn from Dr. Mishra’s extensive professional experience.

Chief Secretary ShriAhuja and Development Commissioner-cum-ACS Ms. Garg praised Dr. Mishra’s work, noting that the books would serve as useful and inspirational resources for researchers, policymakers, planners, and students. Shri Kalyan Kumar Rath, OSD to the Chief Secretary, and Dr. Bijay Bhushanan Nanda, Director, Economics and Statisti cs  Odishaweree also present on the occasion.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Mishra joined the Odisha State Government’s Statistics and Economic Service (OS&ES) in 1984 and served in various departments. After service, she worked as a Consultant in Research and Evaluation in the Planning and Convergence Department, Odishafrom 2014 to 2017, and subsequently served for five years in the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department, Odisha.