Feminine identity in Orissa has remained the centre of critical examination in the writings of celebrated litterateurs from Fakir Mohan Senapati in the late 19th century to Pratibha Ray in contemporary times. An assertive and independent identity is what these writers have wanted for Orissa’s women. They have consistently rejected any idea of essentialised and dominant masculinist positions.

Today, there is a definite rolling back of the gains of such thinking.

The Nayagarh wells are an eye-opener, not only for Orissa but all those states which consider their FMR as balanced. Sex ratio is an indicator of the status of women in society. The need to critically analyse data through a gender lens is the need of the hour.

The writer is senior lecturer, Miranda House,Delhi University