Biju Janata Dal – An Epitome of Odia People’s Aspirations and Identity Nurtured by Naveen Patnaik

Bhubaneswar: Today Biju Janata Dal is celebrating the Silver Jubilee of its Foundation Day. On this day in 1997, it was founded by Naveen Patnaik – the able son of legendary leader Biju Patnaik to give a new direction to the state’s development and growth in the new millennium. Ever since the political party evolved led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, there has been no looking back for the state in terms of welfare of the people and economic prosperity of Odisha.

In the last 25 years, Odisha has seen many turbulent times but has overcome every impediment with its commitment to the people. Naveen Patnaik, through Biju Janata Dal, has been able to bind the people of Odisha under one umbrella like a family. While he has become a father figure for the four and half crore people, the Biju Janata Dal has become a home for the family members today. It very rare in India to find such a political party like the Biju Janata Dal which has been holding the whole state together and working for the greater good of the Odia people. Following the principles of and legacy of the legendary Biju Babu, the Biju Janata Dal today has become a formidable political force in the country. In the last 25 years, it has been able to cater to the aspirations of the people and taking the state on a growth trajectory that was never seen before. From a state often counted as the most underdeveloped, Odisha has today come out of the oblivion to lead the country and show that welfare of the people should be the priority for all – which the Biju Janata Dal follows in all its actions.

There are very few political parties in India that have come a long way as the Biju Janata Dal. The mass following for the BJD is an outcome of its achievements in fulfilling the people’s aspirations. Led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the BJD has been constantly dominating the electoral politics. All the elections held since the year 1999, have seen that the party gained people’s confidence and love by leaps and bounds. While the last Vidhan Sabha elections saw the party getting 45 percent votes, the subsequent Panchayat polls and the Urban Local Body polls saw the Biju Janata Dal getting more than fifty two percent votes. In the recently held Panchayat polls the party won 766 seats out of the 852 seats proving that the people of Odisha have the faith on the leadership of Naveen Patnaik. The same was replicated in the ULB polls of 2022 when the party won in 76 ULBs out of the 108.

Value-based politics and commitment to the development of Odisha and its people has been the sole aim of the party. BJD has a staunch secular and democratic outlook, and has always taken a firm and unequivocal stand against communal forces. It has always been top on the agenda of the party, since its inception, to fight against corruption in public life and the deliberate and wilful neglect of the State by successive Governments at the Centre. Biju Janata Dal believes in continuously working towards the upliftment of weaker sections of society and fighting against social injustice. The Party has always stood for, supported and advocated in favour of women, youths, farmers, labourers, religious minorities, and the weaker/backward sections of the society.

The legacy of the BJD-led government is firmly anchored on saving life and livelihood from disasters, ensuring food and health security to all the people, political and economic empowerment of women, uplifting millions from poverty and all round development and progress of the State. The growing popularity and electoral success of the BJD is solely credited to its Supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who is adored by millions of people for his crystal clean image, corruption-free and transparent government. Naveen’s pro-people and development-oriented policies have made Odisha the fastest developing economy of the country. Naveen’s ‘people first’ approach has not only helped him become one of the longest-serving chief ministers in India, but also the ideal chief minister in the country.

Most Favored Investment Destination Of India

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Odisha become the top destination for investments in the country. The state has attracted most investments in the last few years. Even during the critical period of the Covid Pandemic, Odisha stood as the destination for investors. While the country registered a downward growth during the pandemic, Odisha emerged at the savior with its resilience. Despite slump in economy in the wake of pandemic health crisis, Odisha managed to attract investments worth Rs 2.96 lakh crore in the industrial sector in the 2020-21 fiscal year.

The Make In Odisha Conclave held last month is a testimony to Odisha’s potential. Leading investors from across the world have announced for investing a whooping Rs 10.5 Trillion in the state in the coming days. The investments have a potential to generate about ten lakh job opportunities in the state. Odisha has been able to leverage its resources and locational advantages to pump in funds on the ground, with transparency, accountability and increased efficiency through 5T Initiatives.

BJD – A Party Championing Women’s Empowerment

In words of BJD President Naveen Patnaik, no household, society, state and country has ever moved forward without empowering its women. In its endeavour to empower and provide equitable opportunities to women, following the footsteps of late Biju Patnaik, who in 1992 reserved 33 per cent of seats for women in the panchayats and urban polls in Odisha, Biju Janata Dal in 2019 elections decided to field 33 percent women candidates in the General Elections. This was for the first time in the country that a political party truly kept its promise made for political empowerment of women. The party has also been in the forefront in demanding 33 percent reservation of seats for women in all assemblies and the Parliament. It has been continuously pursuing the matter in various forums in the country. The same commitment has been seen in the recently concluded Panchayat and Urban Elections where the party pitched for the political empowerment of women.

On the ground too, Odisha has been on the forefront in economically empowering women. Its flagship Mission Shakti program has successfully empowered more than 70 lakh women of the state. They are today driving the rural economy of Odisha through Self Help Groups. It is indeed a splendid example for rest of the country. Today, as the party celebrates its 25th anniversary, the leaders and rank and file of the party and the whole State of Odisha note with satisfaction that the SHGs have now in their fold seven million women. They have heralded a new vision, hope and shown a road map for greater empowerment of women. All such wide-spectrum activities constitute the social engineering which is transforming society and economy in a decisive way for achieving positive social changes which are of lasting significance.

Transformation of Healthcare Services

Keeping in tune with the changing times, the BJD government led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has been on a transformative path in healthcare service delivery. Odisha has witnessed incredible transformation in the last two decades. Never before in the history of Odisha has an overhauling of healthcare facilities been undertaken as in the last two decades. Continuing its endeavour for free universal healthcare to all its citizens, Odisha has been trying its best to transform the sector with purpose and vigour. The development of the health infrastructure got more impetus especially after the commencement of the 5T Initiatives. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s vision for this mission can be seen in the various infrastructure development projects undertaken in every nook and corner of the state. Not only urban areas are seeing a revolutionary change in healthcare delivery, village and district level hospitals have been included in the transformation program. The impact of 5T Initiatives on healthcare development of the state is clearly visible on the ground with all major hospitals being upgraded with state-of-the-art facilities. From transforming the SCB Medical College and Hospital into an AIIMS Plus category hospital to introducing BSKY Smart Health Cards to launching Mukhyamantri Vayu Swasthya Seva (air health services), the BJD government has brought a revolution in the healthcare sector in the state. With better healthcare facilities and strong leadership, Odisha has successfully fought the battle against COVID-19 pandemic and stood as shining example before the country.

Transformation in Education Sector Now a Reality

Transformation in education is not a dream anymore but it is a reality now in Odisha. The government schools in the state are highly sought-after schools, competing with their counterparts across the nation. The school transformation initiative, driven by the 5T principles, has unlocked new aspirations and opened the door of new horizons for the high school students of Odisha. Today the government schools have smart classrooms, well-developed e-libraries, state-of-the-art laboratories, advanced sports infrastructure and child-friendly campuses. It has resulted in increased enrolment in government and government aided schools. Odisha’s visionary ‘Mo School’ and Odisha Adarsh Vidyalaya Sangathan initiatives have ushered in a visible transformation in the school education sector, and made history in the national platform. The Mo School initiative, one of the largest alumni connect programmes of the world, has swiftly revamped over 50 thousand government schools of Odisha with the help of more than 30 lakh alumni and community member.

Transformation of Heritage Sites

The Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government has given utmost priority on transformation of the heritage sites in the state. Starting with the Puri Srimandir, the Naveen Patnaik Government has taken the initiatives for the facelift of major heritage sites, such as Lingaraj Temple, Chandi Temple in Cuttack, Nilamadhav Temple, Kantilo, Sarala Temple in Jagatsinghpur district, Samaleswari Temple development in Sambalpur district, Maa Taratarini temple in Ganjam district and other major temples under 5T initiatives. The BJD Government has also allotted funds for repair and beautification of several mosques and churches, affirming its commitment to respect all faiths equally and uphold secularism.

People-centric Governance: A Hallmark of BJD Government

The steady transformation of the government and the service delivery mechanism is a result of the Naveen Government’s people-centric governance agenda. The agenda looks at the common man as the master and the government is there to serve them. Today’s new Odisha is a confident state that is working for the betterment of the people without depending on others. The transformation of the state is not confined to any single sphere or department but overall. All the elements of a welfare state are imbibed in the transformation agenda. The 5T Initiative that also includes the ‘Mo Sarkar’ charter which is responsibly aimed at, and geared to, transforming the thinking and tools associated with the governance of the state.

Odisha Now a Sports Hub in India

The energy of the Odishan youth and its ever-increasing skill-set cannot be harnessed without the development of its sports infrastructure. Odisha’s transformation story goes parallel to the development of sports infrastructure in the state. In the last two decades, the sports infrastructure in the state has undergone massive transformation. With a humble beginning from hockey turfs in Bhubaneswar and Sundergarh, Odisha today has become the sports capital of the country. Successful organization of international sports events has caught the limelight of national and international even managers. Spending on sports infrastructure in the state in the last two decades has increased manifolds. Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar today is the state of the art sporting complex for athletics too. Odisha successfully organised Asian Athletics Championships, Women’s Gold Cup Football, Men’s FIH Olympic Qualifiers, Women’s FIH Olympic Qualifiers, Men’s Hockey Series Finals, Men’s Hockey World Cup, Men’s FIH Hockey World League, Hockey Champions Trophy, National Open Athletics Championships and many more events. Under the guidance of Chief Minister Naveen, Odisha has created enviable sports facilities in the state. The state is going to again host the FIH 2023 World Cup Hockey tournament in the year 2023 – a recognition for its commitment to furtherance of sports. For the first time in the history of hockey that world cup will be played at two venues i.e. at Bhubaneswar and Rourkela. India’s largest Hockey stadium with all modern amenities is set up at Rourkela within a year.

Protecting Rights of Urban Slums and Tribals

The BJD Government has taken a pathbreaking initiative to empower the common people by giving them land rights over where they reside. For the people living in forest areas, the state government has taken the step to provide them land rights. Under the Forest Rights Act, the state has given land titles to more than 4.36 lakh people dwelling in forest areas. Likewise, the government has also taken steps to give the slum dwellers a respective life with entitlement for land. Odisha’s JAGA Mission or the Odisha Liveable Habitat Mission (OLHM) that aims for empowering urban poor in the state won the bronze at the World Habitat Awards. The creation of Special Development Councils (SDCs) is another strong measure for development of tribal communities in the State. The SDCs formed in the nine districts, such as Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri and Nabarangapur, where the tribals comprise about 50 per cent of the total population of the districts, help in preserving tribal culture, art, tradition, language and talents. Odisha is the first State in the country to have such councils for tribal development.

Development of Agriculture

Agriculture is the primary source of livelihood for majority of the population. Nearly 48% of the manpower is engaged in the agriculture sector. Odisha is the only state in the country to have doubled farmers’ income in the last decade. From a rice deficit State, Odisha is now the third largest contributor to the PDS system in the country. The BJD Government’s innovative schemes like “Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation” have ensured farmers’ empowerment. KALIA is the biggest ever individual beneficiary scheme in the history of Odisha. This path breaking scheme has been an eye opener for many States and the Central Government. Food production in the State has multiplied over the years and is sustainable.

Global Benchmark in Disaster Management

Odisha is one of the most vulnerable States to natural calamities, witnessing major disasters every year often. Under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik, the state has emerged as a role model in the country for its disaster management techniques to tackle different natural disasters like devastating flood, phylin, Hudhud, cyclone, drought etc. in a successful manner.