Bhubaneswar: A new era of transformation has begun in Odisha today. The State has become role model for others in the field of development. From a food deficit State to becoming a food surplus State, setting global benchmarks in disaster management, creating an identity as a sports hub in the country and empowering 70 lakh women are some of the landmark achievements of Odisha, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while addressing the people of the State on the occasion of 76th Independence Day.
The Chief Minister, after hoisting the National Flag at IDCO Exhibition Ground, Unit-3 here to mark the state-level 76th Independence Day celebrations, said that Odisha is keeping pace with the development of the country. The State has stood an example in the country by achieving many landmarks in the past 75 years, he added.
Naveen said that education is one of the priority areas of his government. The school transformation programme has ensured a strong promise for quality education. It has created new hopes in the children. Odisha Adarsha Vidyalaya, which was started for the talented children of the village, has become very popular today. From Kotia to the iconic OAV in Bhubaneswar, one lakh children are studying in 315 OVAs. 50 hostels have been established in OAVs for 5000 girls students, he said.
On the occasion of 75 years of independence, the State Government will be installing 3000 memorials of various infrastructure projects in rural areas of 30 districts of the State.
“We have given special emphasis on employment for our youth. Regular recruitment is going on to fill the various vacant posts in the government sector. Steps are being taken to fill more than 70 thousand entry level posts in various departments. Odisha has done very well in the field of development and empowerment of tribals”, the CM said.
Odisha is the holy land of Jagannath. The people of Odisha always work in national spirit rising above the regional mindset, he said.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister paid his humble tributes to Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Patel, Maulana Azad, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Utkalmani Pandit Gopabandhu Das, Utkal Gourav Madhusudan Das, Nabakrushna Choudhuri , Gopabandhu Chowdhury, Shaheed Laxman Nayak, Veer Surendra Sai, Maa Ramadevi, Malati Chowdhury, Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab , Biju Patnaik and Parbati Giri.