Sudam babu state bureau odisha

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Bhubaneswar, Odisha | October 30, 2026

A strong message against corruption and bribery echoed through the streets of Bhubaneswar as approximately 1,200 students and participants from various educational institutions and organisations joined an anti-corruption awareness walkathon on October 30. The programme was organised as part of Vigilance Awareness Week with the objective of encouraging citizens, particularly young people, to support transparency, honesty and accountability in public and social life.

The awareness walkathon brought together students, teachers, members of different organisations, NCC cadets and government representatives. Through their collective participation, the organisers sought to highlight the importance of building a society where integrity is valued and corrupt practices are not tolerated.

Walkathon Begins from Power House Square

The programme started at Power House Square in Bhubaneswar, from where participants marched towards Kalinga Stadium. The walkathon was officially flagged off by Shri Sanjay Kumar Kaushal of Odisha Vigilance.

As the procession moved along its designated route, participants carried awareness placards and raised slogans encouraging people to reject corruption in every form. Their message focused on the need to create public awareness about the harmful consequences of bribery, dishonesty and misuse of official positions.

The event transformed the route into a platform for public education, with participants attempting to connect the message of Vigilance Awareness Week with the everyday responsibilities of ordinary citizens.

The large turnout reflected the involvement of educational institutions and social organisations in spreading awareness about ethical behaviour and responsible citizenship.

Students from Several Educational Institutions Participate

A significant highlight of the programme was the participation of students representing schools, colleges and other educational organisations across Bhubaneswar.

Students from DAV Public Schools at Chandrasekharpur, Unit-VIII and Pokhariput joined the awareness march. Representatives from Stewart School, Loyola School and Mother’s Public School also participated enthusiastically.

Several higher educational institutions extended their support to the initiative. These included B.K. College of Art and Crafts, BJB Autonomous College and Junior College, Debray College, Rajdhani College and Kamala Nehru Women’s College.

Students from Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir and the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) were also part of the programme.

The participation of students from different academic backgrounds provided an opportunity to communicate the importance of honesty and ethical values to the younger generation.

By bringing students together on a common platform, the programme highlighted that the fight against corruption is not limited to government agencies or enforcement authorities. Educational institutions, families and communities also have an important role in developing responsible citizens.

NCC Cadets and Other Organisations Join the Campaign

Apart from students and college representatives, several other organisations contributed to the awareness initiative.

Members of the Roller and Ice Skating Association took part in the march, while representatives from the Government Industrial Training Institute also joined the programme.

Students from Government High School and Government Girls’ High School, Unit-VI, participated in the awareness activities.

National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets representing different schools and colleges were another important part of the procession. Their participation added to the programme’s emphasis on discipline, responsibility and service to society.

Representatives of other organisations also joined the campaign, making the walkathon a collective effort involving different sections of the community.

The broad participation demonstrated how educational institutions, youth organisations and public bodies can work together to promote social awareness.

Placards and Slogans Deliver a Strong Message Against Bribery

Throughout the walkathon, participants used placards and slogans to communicate the importance of maintaining integrity in everyday activities.

One of the central messages highlighted during the programme was that both giving and accepting bribes are criminal offences. The campaign encouraged people not to become participants in corrupt transactions and to understand their responsibility in preventing such practices.

Corruption can weaken public confidence in institutions, create unfair advantages and affect the delivery of essential services. Bribery can also make it difficult for deserving individuals to receive opportunities and benefits through fair procedures.

Against this background, the awareness march attempted to remind citizens that fighting corruption requires collective commitment.

Participants stressed that meaningful change must begin at the grassroots level. Individuals can contribute by refusing to support dishonest practices, following lawful procedures and encouraging transparency in their surroundings.

The campaign also highlighted that integrity should not remain limited to public speeches or official programmes. It must become part of people’s everyday conduct.

Vigilance Awareness Week Focuses on Ethical Responsibility

Vigilance Awareness Week provides an opportunity to strengthen public understanding of corruption prevention, transparency and ethical conduct.

The initiative seeks to encourage citizens to recognise the importance of accountability in government institutions as well as in private and social interactions.

The Bhubaneswar walkathon reflected these objectives by involving young people and members of the wider community in a public awareness activity.

The organisers aimed to communicate that corruption is not merely an administrative concern. It is a social challenge that can affect economic development, public services, equality and people’s trust in institutions.

Awareness programmes can help people understand the importance of following rules, reporting wrongdoing through appropriate channels and supporting fair practices.

The involvement of students was particularly significant because young citizens can influence the values and behaviour of future generations.

Senior Vigilance and Police Officials Attend the Event

Several senior officials from Odisha Vigilance and the police department participated in the awareness walkathon.

Those present included Vigilance AIG Shri C.M. Patra and Superintendent of Police of the Bhubaneswar Vigilance Division Shri Saroj Kumar Samal.

Superintendent of Police of the Cuttack Vigilance Division Shri K.B. Acharya and Superintendent of Police of the Cell Division Shri Sushant Kumar Biswal also attended the programme.

Bhubaneswar DCP Dr. Saravana Vivek and Legal Adviser Shri R.N. Das were among the other senior officials present.

Officials from the State Vigilance Academy and representatives of other departments also participated in the event.

Their presence highlighted the involvement of vigilance and law enforcement authorities in promoting awareness about corruption prevention and the importance of ethical conduct.

The participation of senior officers alongside students and members of various organisations also helped bring institutional and community-level efforts together.

Young Generation Has an Important Role in Fighting Corruption

One of the important objectives of the walkathon was to encourage young people to become active supporters of honesty and transparency.

Students are not only learners within educational institutions but also future professionals, public representatives, administrators and responsible members of society.

Developing ethical values at an early age can help create a culture in which dishonesty and bribery are not considered acceptable ways of achieving personal or professional goals.

Educational institutions can contribute to this process by promoting discipline, fairness, accountability and respect for the law.

Similarly, families and communities can strengthen these values through everyday examples and responsible behaviour.

The Bhubaneswar initiative attempted to take this message beyond classrooms and bring it directly to the public through a large-scale awareness march.

Collective Action Needed to Build a Corruption-Free Society

The walkathon delivered an important message: preventing corruption requires participation from every section of society.

Government departments and vigilance agencies have responsibilities related to enforcement, investigation and prevention. However, citizens also have an essential role in supporting transparency and rejecting bribery.

People can contribute by following legal procedures, avoiding dishonest shortcuts and encouraging accountability in their personal and professional environments.

Public awareness campaigns can help strengthen this collective responsibility by making people more conscious of the social and legal consequences of corruption.

The participation of around 1,200 individuals in the Bhubaneswar walkathon demonstrated the potential of community involvement in spreading this message.

The programme concluded with a broader appeal for honesty, integrity and responsible citizenship. Through the combined participation of students, NCC cadets, educational institutions, organisations and senior officials, the initiative reinforced the importance of standing together against corruption.

The central message of the awareness walkathon was clear: a transparent and accountable society can be built only when individuals choose honesty over bribery and integrity over corrupt practices.