In the heart of Odisha, a silent revolution is underway – one that blends firm policing with empathy, community engagement, and a long-term vision to protect youth from drug abuse and empower girls with self-reliance. Leading this transformation is IPS Sagarika Nath, a 2016-batch officer of the Odisha cadre, currently serving as the Superintendent of Police, Khordha.
Known for her relentless commitment to social issues and youth empowerment, Nath has emerged as a dynamic change-maker in the state.
Indian Masterminds had the opportunity to engage with Ms Nath to explore her journey and learn more about her impactful initiatives.
ABOUT HER: EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND & HER JOURNEY
IPS Nath is committed to protecting youth from drug abuse through awareness, support, and dismantling addiction networks. A native of Dhenkanal, Odisha, she holds a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from CET Bhubaneswar and secured the 199th rank in the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 2015.
She credits her parents for her success, highlighting their support in academics and extracurriculars like dance, sports, and martial arts. She has previously served as Bhubaneswar Traffic SP and Balasore SP, where she played a key role in handling the Bahanaga rail accident and contributed significantly to cyber-crime investigations. She is known for her fearless leadership and dedication to public service.
A MISSION BEYOND POLICING: PROTECTING THE YOUTH
At the core of her current mission lies a determined effort to combat the rising menace of drug abuse among young people. With Khordha being a youth-dominated district – home to several colleges and higher education institutions – IPS Nath has launched a bold and structured campaign to safeguard the future of the next generation.
Her initiative, Project Sampark, is a holistic, youth-centered strategy aimed at addressing both the supply and demand sides of drug abuse. “Project Sampark is an inclusive approach towards fighting drug abuse. It takes on a two-pronged strategy – strengthening youth through awareness and mental resilience, while taking firm action against drug peddlers,” explains Ms Nath.
Project Sampark: A Two-Pronged Strategy
Launched in 2024, Project Sampark combines enforcement and empathy to tackle drug-related issues.
- Cracking Down on Drug Networks
To disrupt the supply chain, a dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has been formed under the guidance of an Additional SP-rank officer. This task force targets everything from wholesale dealers to local peddlers. The initiative draws from Nath’s extensive experience during her tenure as SP in Balasore, a district notorious for drug smuggling due to its coastal and inter-state border location.
“We did a lot of study on the network in Balasore, and extrapolated the data to identify end-users in Bhubaneswar and Khordha,” says Ms Nath. This intelligence-driven approach has laid the foundation for systematic crackdowns in Khordha.
- Empathy for End-Users
Recognizing that many young users fall into addiction due to peer pressure, curiosity, and mental health issues, Project Sampark adopts a compassionate approach. Students – especially those in their early years of college – are identified and connected with de-addiction centers, NGOs, and psychiatric professionals.
“If someone knows a friend or student in need of help but afraid to come forward, we allow anonymous reporting and work discreetly with local NGOs and their families,” Ms Nath shares.
REACHING THE YOUTH: AWARENESS, MENTAL HEALTH, AND CONNECTION
The project’s outreach spans all 12 police station jurisdictions in Khordha. At least one college in each area – engineering, pharmacy, or general degree – is selected for monthly sessions. These sessions include:
- Seminars on Drug Awareness and Mental Health
- Anonymous Reporting Channels
- Student-Police Interaction Programs
- Mental Health Support and Suicide Prevention Talks
So far, over 5,000 students across 10+ colleges have been engaged. “We try to reach at least two colleges every month,” she says, underscoring the program’s consistency.
Additionally, under the COTPA Act, shops selling tobacco near educational institutions are identified and evicted with support from the district administration.
GOING BEYOND URBAN: RURAL OUTREACH UNDERWAY
Although Project Sampark began in urban Khordha, efforts are being made to extend it to rural areas. “We’re now connecting with colleges in rural police jurisdictions as well,” says Nath, ensuring the message of awareness and support reaches even the most remote corners.
CREATING A PEOPLE-FRIENDLY POLICE IMAGE
Another distinctive aspect of the initiative is the effort to bridge the gap between students and law enforcement. “We encourage students to visit their local police stations, interact with officers, and understand how policing works,” Ms Nath adds. This helps reduce fear, build trust, and foster a community-first policing culture.
OTHER TRAILBLAZING INITIATIVES BY IPS SAGARIKA NATH
While Project Sampark takes center stage, IPS Nath’s legacy extends across several impactful programs:
PROJECT DURGA
Conceptualized during her tenure as SP Sundargarh, this initiative focuses on adolescent girls’ safety through a three-step approach-
- Self-defense training
- Career counselling
- Women’s safety helpline
- Over 2,500 girls have benefited from this program.
INTEGRATED TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (ITMS)
Launched in Sundargarh, ITMS became the first in Odisha to integrate video analytics and facial recognition in traffic surveillance – enhancing road safety and law enforcement.
CHOTA COP PROGRAM
A creative awareness campaign where school children (Classes 5–8) were made ‘cops’ in their own households, tracking their parents’ road behavior using a 10-point report card. This innovative step promoted traffic awareness from the ground up.
VISION FOR THE FUTURE
IPS Nath’s leadership exemplifies what modern policing can achieve when strategy, community, and compassion converge. Her work goes beyond crime prevention – it’s about nurturing safer, healthier societies.
Through initiatives like Project Sampark, she’s not just fighting drug abuse – she’s giving hope, building trust, and crafting a blueprint for youth-focused policing in India.
