The Orissa State Human Development Report of 2004 gives a detailed examination of the state government’s efforts and achievements in areas of rural development, poverty, disaster management, income, health, education and food security. The information provided is presented with the intention of comparing future data with the current data, so that policy makers can better understand policy/programme impact and the developmental growth patterns and trends in the state of Orissa. Focus on inter-district dissimilarity in Chapter 8 and the crucial follow-up task of financing the developmental efforts in the state in Chapter 9 are key highlights of this Human Development Report.