Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is set to initiate an extensive, month-long cyber security awareness campaign across the state. The drive, named with the theme “Stop, Verify, Be Secure,” will run from October 18 to November 17, 2025. Its primary goal is to educate the public about online safety practices and to combat the rising tide of cybercrime. 
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will officially inaugurate the campaign at a launch event held at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. A key highlight of the ceremony will be the flag-off of the “Cyber Rath,” a special awareness vehicle designed to travel throughout Odisha’s districts, bringing the message of digital safety directly to communities.
This ambitious initiative specifically aims to safeguard vulnerable groups, including students, young adults, women, and senior citizens. The campaign will focus on exposing common online scams such as fraudulent investment schemes, fake job offers, sextortion, SIM card and bank account scams, hotel booking frauds, and the emerging threat of digital arrests.
The awareness drive will employ a robust mix of online and offline activities to ensure it reaches every corner of the state. Planned events include traditional street plays, folk dance performances, public rallies, group runs, quiz competitions, and educational conferences. The government will also leverage mass media, using television and radio broadcasts, advertisements in cinema halls, informative infographics, and a strong presence on popular social media platforms.
Key departments such as School and Mass Education, Higher Education, and Information and Public Relations will lead the outreach efforts. The campaign will deeply penetrate rural areas through the networks of ASHA workers and self-help groups under the Mission Shakti department. Simultaneously, educational institutions will actively participate by organizing student competitions and seminars focused on cyber safety.
Emphasizing the need for sustained effort, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja directed officials to integrate cyber awareness into a continuous, year-round exercise. He proposed several long-term strategies, including the incorporation of cyber safety modules into school and college curricula, the launch of online certification courses for the public, and the strengthening of institutional mechanisms to respond more effectively to cyber threats.
This comprehensive campaign underscores the Odisha government’s commitment to creating a more secure digital environment for its citizens, empowering them with the knowledge to navigate the online world safely and confidently.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will officially inaugurate the campaign at a launch event held at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. A key highlight of the ceremony will be the flag-off of the “Cyber Rath,” a special awareness vehicle designed to travel throughout Odisha’s districts, bringing the message of digital safety directly to communities.
This ambitious initiative specifically aims to safeguard vulnerable groups, including students, young adults, women, and senior citizens. The campaign will focus on exposing common online scams such as fraudulent investment schemes, fake job offers, sextortion, SIM card and bank account scams, hotel booking frauds, and the emerging threat of digital arrests.
A Multi-Pronged Approach to Public Awareness
To make the campaign more engaging and relatable, the government has introduced a special mascot named “Saira.” This friendly character will serve as the public face of the initiative, helping to simplify complex cyber safety concepts for all audiences.The awareness drive will employ a robust mix of online and offline activities to ensure it reaches every corner of the state. Planned events include traditional street plays, folk dance performances, public rallies, group runs, quiz competitions, and educational conferences. The government will also leverage mass media, using television and radio broadcasts, advertisements in cinema halls, informative infographics, and a strong presence on popular social media platforms.
Grassroots Mobilization and Institutional Support
A high-level preparatory meeting, chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, finalized the campaign's logistics on Wednesday evening at Lok Seva Bhawan. The meeting, convened by the State Home Department, saw attendance from top police officials including DGP Y.B. Khurania and CID-Crime Branch DGP Vinaytosh Mishra, alongside senior representatives from numerous state departments.Key departments such as School and Mass Education, Higher Education, and Information and Public Relations will lead the outreach efforts. The campaign will deeply penetrate rural areas through the networks of ASHA workers and self-help groups under the Mission Shakti department. Simultaneously, educational institutions will actively participate by organizing student competitions and seminars focused on cyber safety.
Building a Long-Term Culture of Cyber Safety
A dedicated cybercrime helpline number—7030—will be heavily promoted during the campaign. This number is directly linked to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, providing citizens with a simple and accessible way to report criminal incidents online.Emphasizing the need for sustained effort, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja directed officials to integrate cyber awareness into a continuous, year-round exercise. He proposed several long-term strategies, including the incorporation of cyber safety modules into school and college curricula, the launch of online certification courses for the public, and the strengthening of institutional mechanisms to respond more effectively to cyber threats.
This comprehensive campaign underscores the Odisha government’s commitment to creating a more secure digital environment for its citizens, empowering them with the knowledge to navigate the online world safely and confidently.
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