Odisha Governor appoints IPS Ananya Awasthi as state's first woman ADC
Bhubaneswar, May 31
Odisha Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati has appointed IPS officer Ananya Awasthi as the Aide-de-Camp to the Governor, making her the first woman to secure this prestigious position.
A formal induction ceremony was held at Lok Bhavan on Sunday, where Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati welcomed Awasthi to her new assignment as the Police ADC. Senior officials of the Governor's Secretariat were present on the occasion.
Before her appointment, Awasthi was serving as Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), UPD, Cuttack.
As the first woman to serve as ADC to the Governor of Odisha, her appointment marks a significant milestone for women in public service.
She succeeded IPS officer Kuldeep Meena, who previously served as the Police ADC to the Governor.
Speaking to ANI, IPS Ananya Awasthi thanked the Odisha Governor for the opportunity, describing her new assignment as a significant position of responsibility.
She stated that the role would inspire young girls and women to choose the path of public service.
"I want to thank the Governor and Government of Odisha for giving me this opportunity to serve as the first female ADC to the Governor. For me, professionally, it is a good position of responsibility as it will give me a lot of exposure. Also, serving a constitutional authority gives me a sense of immense pride as well as a sense of responsibility. Personally, it's also a big milestone for me because I'm the first woman ADC to the Governor, and I think it will inspire a lot of women out there and young girls out there to take the path of public service and not feel afraid of pursuing anything in their lives..." said Awasthi.
The Governor of Odisha is assisted by two Aides-de-Camp--one from the Indian Navy and the other from the Odisha Police. While Ananya Awasthi will serve as the Police ADC, Lieutenant Harshit Deo of the Indian Navy will continue as the Naval ADC to the Governor.
The ADC plays an important role in assisting the Governor during official engagements, ceremonial functions, and other protocol-related duties.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good for her, but let's be honest – having a woman ADC isn't going to fix the real issues women face in public service in Odisha, like safety concerns and workplace harassment. Still, it's a step forward. Let's hope the Governor's office sets a better example.
This is huge! My daughter dreams of becoming an IPS officer, and stories like Ananya Awasthi's give her confidence that anything is possible. Thank you, Governor and Government of Odisha, for recognizing talent over gender. 🙏🎉
Impressive appointment! I'm curious about the logistics – how does an ADC balance security duties with ceremonial responsibilities? Seems like a demanding role, especially for someone so young in her career. Wishing her all the best.
While this is a nice gesture, I'd like to see more concrete actions for women's safety in the state. Odisha still has long way to go in terms of gender equality on the ground – a single appointment shouldn't overshadow the need for systemic change.
Love seeing trailblazers! And the fact that she thanked the Governor for inspiring young girls is spot-on. Representation matters so much. Now let's hope she gets proper support from the male-dominated police force 👏
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