ncement of a host of relief efforts and development projects. This backward phenomena despite richnees of Kalahandi was called Kalahandi Syndrome by social workers. Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao announced the famous KBK project for backward undivided Kalahandi, Bolangir and Koraput districts in 1994. Nonetheless, Kalahandi has not been able to take off despite of hosts of programmes, largely because of lacuna at implementation stage. As the basic infrastructure is dismal state, the development progress is very slow.
Kalahandi is more often used a symbol of backwardness in popular media and among politicians or social workers. Use of Kalahandi in popular literature has been controversial. In a literary conference, "Rajya Stariya Lekhaka Sammilani" in 1994 at Bhawanipatna many invited speakers and local intellectuals pointed out that its not wise to use the name "Kalahandi" as synonym for starvation death as starvation death does not imply image of Kalahandi completely and by using Kalahandi name for starvation death other rich aspects of life in Kalahandi are being ignored. Stavation death was just one side of a coin, like poverty in Odisha or India. However, there are many writers, philosophers, social workers, journalists, politicians etc., particularly in India who are still continuing to use the name of district in literature, articles and reviews. The poem "Kalahandi" by Dr Tapan Kumar Pradhan received critical acclaim following its publication in the Indian Literature in December 2007. Kalahandi movie made by famous Indian film director Gautam Ghosereceived critical award. Rahul Gandhi's comparison of Purulia with Kalahandi had brought political controversy in West Bengal.
Political marginalization in recent times
Politically, the district does not have much importance in state or national politics. Though in 2000 and 2004 elections Biju Janata Dal- Bharatiya Janata Party combined had won all
