The Odisha government is about to start a special scheme for newly married couples in the state. In which the family planning kit will be gifted to the couples. The government will distribute free kits containing condoms and contraceptive pills. Mission Parivar Vikas, a central government initiative, aims to motivate couples to adopt proper family planning.

Called the 'Nai Pahal' or 'New Couple' (Wedding Gift) kit, it will be distributed by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers. It will contain guidelines and other important literature on the differences between safe sex, family planning and childbirth.

The wedding kit will include a booklet on the methods and benefits of family planning, a marriage registration form, condoms, birth control pills (OCP), and emergency contraceptive pills (ECP). Apart from this, the special gift pack will also have a pregnancy kit including towel, handkerchief, comb, bindi, nail cutter, and mirror for the bride and groom.

Director of Family Planning Dr Bijay Panigrahi told about this scheme of the government, Asha didi will visit the houses where the marriage is taking place and will gift the kit. She will inform the newlyweds about the difference between two children and ways to shorten the family. He told about its benefits, the state government has planned to distribute kits to strengthen the family planning program in the state. He said that this scheme will be implemented in both rural and urban areas of the state.

Odisha will become the first state in the country to introduce such a scheme for newly married couples. This will strengthen the family planning campaign.

Dr. Bijay Panigrahi, director of family planning, told that this scheme will be started in Odisha from September. Asha didi will reach out to all the newly married couples in the state and will gift the kits. For this, ASHA workers are being trained.